Installation Bilstein shock absorbers

[Barry.b]

parts…

Thanks Don.
I kept just pushing the metal sleeve up ,
The shock is at an angle going through the rubber so I kept catching the sleeve with the shock.
Then I ran out of patience
I will try it again this evening
Thanks again !!

 

[eriknetherlands]

Thanks Don.
I kept just pushing the metal sleeve up ,
The shock is at an angle going through the rubber so I kept catching the sleeve with the shock.
Then I ran out of patience
I will try it again this evening
Thanks again !!

Well, space available may be a problem, but technically you can reinsert the metal tube from above into the rubber, (from the trunk side that is) perhaps with the help of some rubber friendly grease and a 1/2 inch 13 mm ratchet socket to push the metal tube into the rubber over the threaded pin of the shock?

 

[Barry.b]

Well, space available may be a problem, but technically you can reinsert the metal tube from above into the rubber, (from the trunk side that is) perhaps with the help of some rubber friendly grease and a 1/2 inch 13 mm ratchet socket to push the metal tube into the rubber over the threaded pin of the shock?

Okay
That might work.
I was in the garage quite late and everything was quite cold so I did eventually give up .
Anyway I will try again this evening.
With a bit more patience and energy
Thanks again !

 

[eriknetherlands]

I've struggled as well with this, especially when installing the complete rear axle, witht he strut mounted on the axle at the bottom, and having the spring compressed (with a rope around it). Then when releasing the rope, I coulnd't get the pin to go in the hole.
For this dilemma I found this method to work: I extended the pin of the Bilstein with a torx bit and an extension piece (6*7mm box wrench in english?), and poking that through the hole first, then releasing the rope. ; the torx bit and extension aligns everything.

some more pics & explanation here:

Fixing that little rust spot...

now pics of the shiny bits & pieces After sandblasting all parts that fitted in my small cabinet, I dropped of the parts to be yellow zinc coated. It would be powder coating for the large chassis parts with some rust protection underneath the powder coat. I was told that the chassis...

e9coupe.com

 

[Barry.b]

I've struggled as well with this, especially when installing the complete rear axle, witht he strut mounted on the axle at the bottom, and having the spring compressed (with a rope around it). Then when releasing the rope, I coulnd't get the pin to go in the hole.
For this dilemma I found this method to work: I extended the pin of the Bilstein with a torx bit and an extension piece (6*7mm box wrench in english?), and poking that through the hole first, then releasing the rope. ; the torx bit and extension aligns everything.

View attachment 156149 View attachment 156148

some more pics & explanation here:

Fixing that little rust spot...

now pics of the shiny bits & pieces After sandblasting all parts that fitted in my small cabinet, I dropped of the parts to be yellow zinc coated. It would be powder coating for the large chassis parts with some rust protection underneath the powder coat. I was told that the chassis...

e9coupe.com

Great
You have given me some good possible work arounds .
I do have a set of spring compressors , but of course they were somewhat clashing with the shock .
I had a beer after failing to put it together last night and I have warmed up too .
So I should be in good shape later on to have another go at it .
Thanks

 

[HB Chris]

Bang the bottom on with a mallet it wont hurt the threads.

 

[Barry.b]

Hi guys
Thank you so much for your helpful advice.
I managed to get both trailing arms fitted this evening.
I allowed the shock to push up through the rubber first and then I sprayed some white grease onto the sleeve and with a bit of leverage and mallet action I got the sleeve to go down into the rubber from above.
It’s beer time again
This time a celebratory one !!
cheers !

 

[wkohler]

Several years ago when I was putting my E12 M535i together, the rear shocks I received came with these bushings. Totally wrong for the E12 so I just threw them in a box with all of the other surplus new parts I bought but didn’t need. Of course I had a 2002 customer that needed rear shock mounts and I couldn’t find them so I ordered new from the dealer for him (ouch). Then I found a pair in the trunk of his car so used those and I got stuck with the new ones.

I received my new Bilsteins for the E9 and they have the same bushing arrangement described earlier that apparently leads to extra noise. I was surprised to see that versus the stock style bushing and thought maybe it was an upgrade until I saw this thread.

While looking for ten bolts I had redone years ago that I didn’t need but happened to have a use for now that I cannot seem to find I found those mounts that came with the Bilsteins.

Here’s a photo compared to 33 52 3 450 101 which is the 2002 top mount and the part number they show superseded 33 52 1 111 118. Also note it has the sleeve. Part 33 52 1 105 047. The 2002 part doesn’t come with the sleeve.

I don’t know if the Bilstein number corresponds to anything specifically for the part. Worth a shot to ask I guess.

Hope that’s marginally helpful.

 

[HB Chris]

Chris, yes, small one is 2002, large one e9 but Bilstein often includes only the small one.

 

[bavbob]

The bushing we need actually is part of a kit for an American car and is available separately for about 4 bucks. I have posted this and compared etc. I have 4 of them sitting on my desk from Summit, total was 20 bucks for all 4. I did not discover this on my own, Bilstein technical did the research.

 

[redfishman]

The bushing we need actually is part of a kit for an American car and is available separately for about 4 bucks. I have posted this and compared etc. I have 4 of them sitting on my desk from Summit, total was 20 bucks for all 4. I did not discover this on my own, Bilstein technical did the research.

Great could you send a link or description to that kit? thx

 

[bavbob]

Sent you a PM