1" HEIGHT GAIN/CORNER BALANCING

I just installed turbo tie rod and bump steer kit. I also recently had corner balancing,lowering and alignment done. After many hours and hard work, my mechanic finally gave me the # of the weight, and the height #'s were:

FR - 25 1/8
FL - 25 1/8
RR - 25
RL - 25

The car looked awesome at 25". However,
on my way out of the shop, "Stupid of me", pretending that I have money, I finally decided to also have four shocks replaced. I was told by the mechanics that with the new shocks, the height/balance will not be affected. However, alignment will be affected and will be adjusted accordingly.

Well, the car rides great with 4 new Bilsteins. But, SURPRISES! SURPRISES! SURPRISES. Now the height is as follows:

FR - 25 3/4
FL - 25 8/9
RR - 25 8/9
LR - 25 8/9

The car is now higher than before I took it in for lowering, and before the bump steer kit!

I was told that it would settle down soon and that if it does not, I would just come back and they'll lower the car again. I have driven over 150 miles and no settling is being seen. GUYS! Please provide input.

New gas shocks (Bilsteins) can increase ride height, particularly if they replaced old sagging hydraulic shocks. I suspect you'll have to lower it some more.

The Bilsteins are high pressure gas monotube shocks. They have a gas charge of something like 300 psi in them, which as you've experienced will raise your ride hgt. I was surprised at the height change I measured when I reconnected my Boge shocks (much lower pressure in a twin tube shock) after resetting the ride height.


Chris Bunker
78 SC

To me this is just one more reason not to get Bilsteins.

I have bought and sold many BMWs over the last 15 years and these shocks are omnipresent in Bimmers, either as OE or "upgrades." But IMHO the Emperor has no clothes!

Without exception Bilsteins seemed to ride harsher and perform no better--in fact to me, for street and limited auto-x, they performed worse--than Konis or other similarly priced alternatives.

I highly recommend going with Konis or Boges. Better shock, and AFAIK no raised ride height issue. Just my $.02....

Gas charged Konis will also raise the ride height. I don't know if the increase is the same as Bilstien.

------------------
'86 Cab, '77 Targa, Family Truckster

Sounds like I am stuck with Bilsteins! So from everyone who had Bilsteins installed, any opinions/comparisons to defend you Bilsteins? (being honest, of course!)

Put Bil sports on all four corners of my 83SC Targa.Also added 21/27mm tortion bars,then the car was lowered.Bottom line is the car now handles much better and rides better also.As with all lowered cars I've gotta watch for tire contact,so far so good,but for the benifits and the $$$$ I'm very satisfied. PHILIP H.

Cab,

You are not stuck with anything! You can go with Koni's, Boge, KYB or Bilstein shocks.
Personally am using Bilstein HD in the front and Sport in the back of my 85 911 and am extremely happy. Have used Koni shocks for years and wanted to try something different. I hear that the Bilsteins usually wear better than the other brands and I did not want to do this swap anytime soon.

Ride height is 25 in front and 25.5 in back, which is a bit higher than my old stock shocks but still within specs.

Would do it again and love the handling, especially with the Turbo Tie rods.

JA