BILSTEIN or MONROE??
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All Star
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 950
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From: MINNEAPOLIS, MN
Bilsteins, installed all 4 corners. Took about 2 hours for back and 1 hour for fronts. Only major issue was trying to get a bite of the shock piston rod to loosen the upper nut. I was trying to get a good bite to hold, but not gauge the metal. I had to slide the dustboot down to grab the rod but I got it. Penetrating blast for 24 hours prior to removal helped out. Bilsteins did not come with new bolts, so dont plan on that incase you are a head stripper or thread gouger....LOL!! It did have new nuts for the upper but thats about the only new hardware. FYI Rear tires were able to be left in place, fronts did have to be removed.
On a Sidebar, the CV axle I had replaced last July is already cut on the outer dust boot.
Based on the observations of the removal of the old shocks, I thinkg I have a theory of how the new one got cut. Hear me out and see if it seems plausible or is it Myth "BUSTED" The OEM shocks have a outer cylinder with potentially sharp edges from top-bottom and with wear , the shock was riding down on the boot, and cutting it. I think the New Bilsteins with the dustboots, might have cured it. I will talk to Advance and see about a warranty replacement but if not then I might have to get a new one.. Only seems to happen on the RH side though. Any thoughts? Oh well, shocks in, good fit and much better ride. Install mileage approx 102.7K Thanks for all the help.
Steve
On a Sidebar, the CV axle I had replaced last July is already cut on the outer dust boot.
Based on the observations of the removal of the old shocks, I thinkg I have a theory of how the new one got cut. Hear me out and see if it seems plausible or is it Myth "BUSTED" The OEM shocks have a outer cylinder with potentially sharp edges from top-bottom and with wear , the shock was riding down on the boot, and cutting it. I think the New Bilsteins with the dustboots, might have cured it. I will talk to Advance and see about a warranty replacement but if not then I might have to get a new one.. Only seems to happen on the RH side though. Any thoughts? Oh well, shocks in, good fit and much better ride. Install mileage approx 102.7K Thanks for all the help.
Steve
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Joined: Jun 2006
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From: Indiana
Let us know if under acceleration on a real bumpy road you find the rear end hop/sway to be greatly eliminated with your Bils. They was the only thing I could find to cure my same situation.
Good luck on the boot issue. Anything is possible, If it was even slightly touching and turning, the boot could had a lathe-like action and been cut.
IndyD
Good luck on the boot issue. Anything is possible, If it was even slightly touching and turning, the boot could had a lathe-like action and been cut.
IndyD
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Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 950
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From: MINNEAPOLIS, MN
I wish you had asked for photos earlier! Do you need photos of the cut on the boot or the old shock? Old shocks already thrown out. Fyi They were OEM shocks, even had a JUL 03 build date stamp. I Can get photos of the boot tear hopefully before it gets much worse.
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Joined: Jun 2005
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From: Riverton, UT
Indy<------------ Thats making my *** jones for a lil campin & fishin!
Last edited by hydrashocker; May 3, 2009 at 02:22 PM.
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I've used billsteins for years when I was still tracking my M3. So I've put them on as replacements to the stock shocks and I can really notice a difference on hard cornering. More stability, more predictable turn in, and only a little "oh $hit" factor noticed.