What will new Bilsteins do for me?

Kraut Wagon · 10-10-2003, 03:46 PM

My wrench is gonna get back to me with a quote on R&R for 4 Bilsteins...

My 86 has the original Boges in place. Currently the car handles "fine" but you can definitely feel every bump and the fenders sometimes bottom out on the tires when hitting a severe dip in the road. Im gonna roll those fenders.

So what can I expect from Bilstein HDs? smoother ride...less jarring bumps? Better handling on sharp turns?

What should I expect to pay for Bilsteins installed?

Thank you.

Kraut Wagon

10-10-2003, 03:48 PM

Kraut Wagon?

Kraut Wagon · 10-10-2003, 03:49 PM

Its meant to be a term of endearment...

Jeff · 10-10-2003, 03:49 PM

You could buy them from our host and install them yourself. It is not a difficult job.

Kraut Wagon · 10-10-2003, 03:50 PM

...and also a way of not taking the whole "P" thing so seriously.

OK now back to the question!

mwbaum · mwbaum's Garage

New HDs made a huge difference in improved handling on my 85. I had 80K on the originals. Go for it!

masraum · 10-10-2003, 04:01 PM

Huge, huge difference. The car will be stiffer, but you won't get as much roll side to side, and under braking and acceleration you won't get squat and dive to the same extent.

FrdzRed · FrdzRed's Garage

Your car will almost definitely sit higher. I thought my car was lowered by the PO until I replaced my boges with bilsteins and the car sits almost 1-1.5 higher.
Get the car aligned after installing new struts/shocks. You should get Waynes 101 book and install the bilsteins yourself to offset the price of an alignment/corner balance.

Kraut Wagon · 10-10-2003, 04:37 PM

Thanks Guys. I have Waynes book and it says the Rear Shocks are easy...but the fronts need a "drill press" for the pin.

Is that true? Can I install front Bilsteins without having a drill press?

My wrench told me that shocks shouldnt raise the height of the car, but what Ive read here seems to indicate otherwise.

nostatic · nostatic's Garage

Bilsteins will make you more attractive to the opposite sex, increase your take home pay, and make you look 10 years younger. Not to mention what it will do to your p*nis size. At least thats what my emails keep telling me.

rdane · rdane's Garage

"I expect from Bilstein HDs? smoother ride...less jarring bumps? Better handling on sharp turns?"

All the above. My car was "fine", just didn' really know how bad things were. Shocks were the biggest improvement in handling I made. I did them all and have the reciepts to prove it

Rear shocks I couldn't easily get to, had them done. I did the front Boges with Bilstein inserts in quick order and I am by no means a porsche wrench.

New shocks on our cars are one of the best up grades I can think of. HD fronts and Sport rears is the typical suggestion. I did sports all around and will try the that suggestion next time.

Superman · 10-10-2003, 06:33 PM

Yep. It will make your car much more easy and fun to drive. They will stiffen the ride but also smooth out the bumps.

Kraut Wagon · 10-10-2003, 06:37 PM

Q: Why the HDs in front and Sports in back? Does that smooth out the F vs R weight distribution for better ride?

jyl · jyl's Garage

I installed Bilstein inserts in my Boge struts (which is what I assume you'll be doing, rather than installing complete Bilstein struts) and Bilstein rear shocks. This is on a '89 Carrera.

The fronts were really easy. There wasn't any "pin" or drill press involved, or any unusual tools other than the special wrench that should come with the inserts (if not, Bilstein will send you one free, just call them). The rears were easy too. If you have the basic tools, floor jack, and jack stands, are modestly handy, and have a free morning, you should do it yourself and save the money. I would think 101 Projects has a good enough "how-to" descritpion, but if you want, I can email you a step-by-step process or snail mail you a xerox of the pages from my Bentley manual - just PM me.

My Boges were worn out, although apparently not as much as yours since I didn't have the bottoming - the car rode rather softly, that was all. I got Bilstein Sports, so I can't say exactly what HDs will do. The Sports made my car sit higher, ride much more firmly, jiggle a little over some bumps, and corner flatter. I made a number of other changes at the same time, too, so this is pretty unscientific.

It would be great to get the car lowered and aligned after you do the shocks. It really made a big difference in my case.

I'm still waiting on the sex, pay, and other benefits.

Kraut Wagon · 10-10-2003, 07:26 PM

Great info. Thanks John. I have the Bentley and will check it out. 101 projects spoke of a drill press and that had me wondering...

jyl · jyl's Garage

I wonder if 101 Projects is taking about the wedge pin that connects the balljoint to the bottom of the strut.

You don't need to remove that, since the strut can remain attached at the bottom.

Kraut Wagon · 10-10-2003, 08:42 PM

no...its saying the "bilstein roll pin" on the front shocks which must be installed pointing away from the center of the insert.

This is according to 101 projects. Says you need a drill/press for this pin. Does it just push into place?

Jeff · 10-10-2003, 08:58 PM

Kraut, The roll pin is only in the original Bilstien strut housing. If you have Boge strut housing it will not have the roll pin. Just make sure you order Bilstiens that fit in Boge strut housings.

masraum · 10-10-2003, 10:44 PM

Exactly, I was with a buddy who replaced his Bilsteins in his '78, he had Bilsteins from the factory, they use a rolled pin, but the 3.2L with stock Boge struts doesn't use a rolled pin, instead it uses a big nut. The fronts are harder than the rear, but still not too bad.

Kraut Wagon · 10-10-2003, 11:44 PM

Thanks guys. You've given me the insight and courage to tackle this one on my own.

Kraut