Question for Bilstein Users

[JStordahl]

Turbo Diesel drivers: I installed Bilsteins today on the Cummins Ram, and was wondering about the top nut on the front shocks. The manual calls for 30 ft lbs of torque, but I couldn't use a torque wrench because the end of the shaft must be held to tighten the nut. I ended up tightening the top nut about all the way down. This is the only way to get the guessed at 30 ft lbs but the washer/retainer is almost down to the holding bracket. Is this right, or is the rubber getting squashed too much? The original shocks had quite thick rubber bushings to tighten against, so I'm wondering if I've tightened them too much. Thanks for any comments.

 

[QRTRHRS]

I don't remember anymore but I just put Bilsteins on my wife's Explorer and could not find a torque spec. I just did what I have always done though. I tighten until the rubber "donuts" are even with or just barely squeeze past the edge of the washer.

 

[JStordahl]

Thanks. With these the rubber doesn't sqeeze past the top washer. The rubber isn't really big enough to do that, and I've run out of thread on the shaft. The rubber is actually a one piece unit that fits up from the bottom. The large, thick portion is under the bracket and the smaller portion pops out the top hole of the bracket, and then the nut/washer squashes down on that. I was just wondering what all the other Bilstein users ran across. I also had to grind a little off the bottom end, side of steel bushing on the front shocks so they would slide into place. There was just no room or place to hammer.

 

[Ramafid]

I reused the big donut rubber bushing from the original shocks. I think the instructions say to reuse it or replace with new rubber bushings. You do need it because the rubber bushing that comes with the bilsteins is just for the bottom support , not the top.

 

[ph]

Bilstein

I ran into the same when I installed mine. The left looked more like I thought it should so I took the right one apart and redid it. It still did not quite look the same as the left. I was also unable to torque it ... just tightened to the steel insert I think. It has been working ok so far. Much improved over stock handling and feel.



ph

 

[JStordahl]

Thanks all. I think I'll stick the original top doughnuts in tomorrow. They're still in good shape.

 

[JStordahl]

Guys: Original factory top rubber doughnuts will not work. The rubber that came with the Bilsteins pushes up through the bottom of the bracket/shock tower. The small end of the rubber is designed to push through the hole, and the top washer/nut tighten down on this. With this portion of the rubber sticking through the hole the old doughnuts will not allow enough shaft sticking up to thread the nut. I tightened it back to where I had it before. It'll have to do. I confess I like the thicker/larger factory installation components better. Took it for a short run. Improved damping, nice ride, especially going over RR tracks. Less low speed roll, what I call "parking lot roll".