tires and wheels a little help with my rear shock install...

[xlittlejohnx]

So, with inspiration from Marshall and Jim, today I attempted to install a new seat of bilsteins on the rear of the car. I did not want to tackle the springs on my own, but I figured shocks and sway bar bushings would be easy. Everything was straight forward thanks to some advice from Grice and Jay midway through the project. When I lowered the car to tighten the bolts, I found that the top nut that screws onto the shock (the piston maybe?) would not tighten without the piston turning as well. I tried holding the piston from below the shock tower, but could not get enough grip to keep it from spinning. Is there a tip anyone has to accomplishing this? Also, I noticed that I appear to have a ton of negative camber now. Is this because the shocks are not tightened down yet? My wheels are factory basketweave style made by momo and I think they are from a 320i. Thanks for the help!

John

[nbristow01]

If they are "NEW" sprngs they will need a few weeks to settle in. That camber is not from the shocks. But do not make the mistake of cutting the springs yet. Give then time to settle in and you should have a normal stance in a few weeks. Look at the top of the shaft on that shock rod. It should have a hole in the top that will hold an allen wrench. Use the allen wrench in that hold to keep the shock rod from spinning when you tighten the nut.

[M3M3]

if you have the shock and sway bar off, your are more than halfway to the spring change. just unbolt one end of the halfshaft, lower trailing arm and swap the spring. ez. shock and sway are going to have to come back off to do the spring....

yes, there is a place for an allen wrench in top of shock rod to keep it from spinning.

btw, that is POSITIVE camber, not NEGATIVE camber....;-) negative the top tilts in.

mmmm..new parts!

[xlittlejohnx]

yep, I have so many new parts in boxes, but I never seem to get around to putting them on. Thank you both for the info on the allen wrench- the sun must have kept me from thinking clearly by the end of the day. Any idea why I seem to have so much positive camber now?

[M3M3]

could be that your springs are not seated all the way, combined with the higher pressure in the shocks. did you roll the car after you put it on the ground before taking those pics? if not, the suspension is bound up. roll the car back and for a few time and it should settle.