Bilstien shock replacement

My car has the Bilstein sport suspension option (Bilstein HD front & rear), but I think the shocks are nearing the end of their lifetime. Would replacing these with new Bilsteins change the ride height of the car, requiring an alignment (ie. would the old shocks have settled over their lifetime?)

thanks,

[john walker's workshop]

new HD bilsteins can raise a car 1/2" in some cases. that would cause the front to toe out, but not much. after driving with the new shocks, they tend to settle in a bit and get back close to where the car originally sat. so measure before and after, and then give it a couple of weeks to settle before deciding whether a realign is needed.

Thanks John.
How much ride height change do you think is acceptable without getting it realigned?

[Bones]

Originally posted by an6drew
My car has the Bilstein sport suspension option (Bilstein HD front & rear), but I think the shocks are nearing the end of their lifetime. Would replacing these with new Bilsteins change the ride height of the car, requiring an alignment (ie. would the old shocks have settled over their lifetime?)

thanks,

I have a '78 Sport option SC Targa.... I always thought the Sport option Bilsteins were 'Sport' and not 'HD'.....if you understand what I'm saying......could yyou clarify for me as I'm changing my shocks soon and want to keep what I have which I thought was 'Sport' Bilsteins not 'HD'....

Bones,
maybe someone else will chime in here, but I'm pretty sure the 'Sport' option comprised the Bilstein HDs, and that the Bilstein Sports were never original equipment. I haven't checked the part # on my shocks, bit think that the HD's are always green, and Sports are usually yellow or blue.

[sammyg2]

If it were me, I would measure the ride height of your car as it is now, then install the new strut inserts. Drive the car for a day and then re-measure. If the ride height changes more than 1/4" or so, make a simple adjustment to the ride height adjusters. If it doesn't change much don't worry about it. Just make sure to keep everything even. That way you can save yourself the cost of a new alignment.

LEGAL DISCLAIMER: this assumes you have a good alignment now and are knowledgeable and experienced enough to mess with suspension components. After every adjustment it is nessesary to drive the vehicle to let the suspension "settle" before re-adjusting unless you have alignment plates. I sold mine a few months ago

[emcon5]

On a related note, my car is in pieces for an engine rebuild at the moment, and I was going to take this oportunity to send my old ratty shocks back to Bilstein to get redone as sports. I removed the rears, but I haven't done anything to the front yet.

Dumb question:
Is it possible to remove the front inserts, and put the weight back on the wheels? I don't know how long it will take to get the shocks redone, and I would prefer to be able to move the car if needed.

Is this possible?

Tom

[sammyg2]

Nope, if you take the shock inserts out you have nothing to control the camber. If you put weight on it the wheels will go full negative cambler until something hits of breaks. New front inserts aren't all that expensive, I think I paid around $120 a piece for mine, how much are they going to charge you to rebuild your strut inserts?

[emcon5]

Originally posted by sammyg2
I think I paid around $120 a piece for mine, how much are they going to charge you to rebuild your strut inserts?

They said $80-120 each, depending on what I wanted. My guess would be standard valving would be on the low end of that, with funky custom stuff at the high end.

Tom