? on replacing struts while on the car

[BillWilliams]

I remember a post on this a few months back but my search efforts did not turn up a thread or post.

Other than the obvious, is there anything I need to loosen to replace the front struts while the suspension is on the car?

I am switching from Bilstein HDs to Bilstein sports

Thanks

[Guest Anonymous]

Hi,

disconnect the caliper and the hose connection at the top of the strut tube. also disconnect the sway bar link. then cover the top of the strut with a thick rag and swing it down and out.

good luck

[Beaver's02]

Here's a link to some pretty good information (http://www.02tii.com/suspension.shtml). Why the Sport over the HD Bilsteins. Lower ride height springs? Are the dampening rates very different? I've debated between these two before but would like to hear your reasoning.

Good luck with your shock swap.

[BillWilliams]

My yellow car is sort of my little hot rod and the sports will give it a little sportier ride. I am switching the HDs to my orange car which will be very close to stock.

[02fanatic]

I'm not kidding....as I know you like to autocross, etc...and are "somewhat aggressive" behind the wheel :-) I didn't think I'd like the Sports on Hugo but I was getting quite fond of them before I tucked him away for the Winter...I just need to bolt down the rear battery tray as it rattles a little.

Let me know how things go and your opinion regarding the differences.

What springs do you have?

John

[02fanatic]

(nt)

[Guest Anonymous]

Remember to loosen the lock collor on the tube before pulling the assembly out of the car. Use your big channel locks (easier) or pipe wrench. The Bilstines SHOULD have the lock collers that you can use the tool on however its easier to lossen it on the car.

Sam

[Cruzr]

You've been holding back info on us, uh?

[BillWilliams]

(nt)

[peteinjp]

I just put on a pair and couldn't notice a difference from the HD's that they replaced in terms of valving. When I used them in the past they were much stiffer. I read that the valving had been changed to be the same as the HD's. The difference is that they have more travel. My HD's were bottoming out on the corners causing a major understeer problem. The sports do indeed have more travel and are the best choice for anyone that wants to be able get into a corner on a lowered car. My HD's were destroyed from bottoming out.

[jgerry2002]

I just put on a pair and couldn't notice a difference from the HD's that they replaced in terms of valving. When I used them in the past they were much stiffer. I read that the valving had been changed to be the same as the HD's. The difference is that they have more travel. My HD's were bottoming out on the corners causing a major understeer problem. The sports do indeed have more travel and are the best choice for anyone that wants to be able get into a corner on a lowered car. My HD's were destroyed from bottoming out.

For sure the valving is different between Sports and HDs. The rear sport is slightly shorter then the HD rear. Fronts are the same length.

I believe there was a post in the archives where someone contact Bilstein for the answers.

[cj]

According to my conversation with Bilstein, the valving between the Sports and HD's are the same. The diffrence is the travel.

Cris

[peteinjp]

If you don't do it with the weight of the car still on the shock it may just turn with the nut- and its a pain in the butt. Sure some shocks have the allen key to hold it still but they strip easily.