Suspension Suggestions

[Markos]

They don’t make 74 skins so be gentle!

Some skinny bicycle wrenches would help with the rear shocks. Two 17’s.

Like this:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B000C124VA/ref=cm_cr_arp_mb_bdcrb_top?ie=UTF8&th=1&psc=1

 

[JFENG]

Bilsteins are gas and have no fluid, they do look old however.

Chris,
what a rare opportunity, something about E9's that Chris don't know ;-)
All car shocks use hydraulic fluid because they require something really viscous combined with either valves, plates, paddles, etc. The movement of the fluid thru valves (or plates thru fluid) is what provides damping. A gas simply can't do that within the cost and size parameters we're talking about.

But seriously, Chris, we all benefit greatly from your knowledge about these old cars. I just couldn't resist a little tweak.

John Feng

 

[StephenZ]

The shocks look like they were sprayed with the tar based undercoating and it's rubbing on it making it look shiny and wet...maybe?

 

[JayWltrs]

They don’t make 74 skins so be gentle!

Some skinny bicycle wrenches would help with the rear shocks. Two 17’s.

Like this:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B000C124VA/ref=cm_cr_arp_mb_bdcrb_top?ie=UTF8&th=1&psc=1

The one specialty tool I already own!

 

[Ohmess]

The one specialty tool I already own!

I love when I happen to have the proper tool for a job I'll probably only do every ten years!

 

[Markos]

The one specialty tool I already own!

Cool, now make sure you have two! I didn’t have one...

Finally going after the passenger side shock:

Vice grip on the shaft and wrench on the nut:

 

[Stevehose]

Bilsteins have a hex key hole in top of shaft to prevent turning so not sure you need to use the vice grips? Unless those aren't Bilsteins...

Vice grip on the shaft and wrench on the nut:

 

[JayWltrs]

The shocks look like they were sprayed with the tar based undercoating and it's rubbing on it making it look shiny and wet...maybe?

That's my default on this car, but it is just gooey enough (almost like burned grease) at the top of the shock cover, that I'm leaning toward a leak. The coating appears to have been sprayed with a fire hose. It's been a pain on mechanical & aluminum pieces it shouldn't be on, but I think it saved the car.

 

[Markos]

Bilsteins have a hex key hole in top of shaft to prevent turning so not sure you need to use the vice grips? Unless those aren't Bilsteins...

Actually those are bilsteins. They had a slot in the shaft. Anyway despite the ability to rebuild them I pitched them.

My recommendation is to use two skinny 17mm wrenches. Having a hex key hole at the top would be huge help!

 

[JayWltrs]

Mine looks like your picture. Like my fitness, I'd forgotten my bike tools--would need to check if I have multiples, but I have narrow 17mm spanner ratchet.

Cool, now make sure you have two! I didn’t have one...

Finally going after the passenger side shock:

Vice grip on the shaft and wrench on the nut:

 

[Stevehose]

I use one of those ratcheting spanners for the nuts along with the hex key - don't have to take the wrench on and off after each small turn while my spine slowly locks up from working in that position - ba da bing!

 

[JayWltrs]

Does anyone know whether CN setup uses stock HDs on the rear or whether they are a special size?

(I’ll ask them, but I recently asked them a dumb question & feel I’ve reached my quota until I buy something.).

 

[HB Chris]

Stock HDs, and only available from Walloth, none in the US.

 

[JayWltrs]

So, a no on these with CN set-up if I do that later? Quick turnaround hopes dashed, so I could return & start over I guess. But probably just eat it. Saw nothing on W&N. https://www.bavauto.com/bmw-shock-24008136

Thanks.

 

[HB Chris]

I just bought rear shocks on Walloth for a friend. NO one in US has them regardless of their website. Some kind of dispute with Bilstein USA. Walloth ships very quickly!

 

[JayWltrs]

Sorry, I wasn't clear. I purchased the ones above from BAV on 8/6/18 delivered 8/10/18. W&N doesn't list any rear shocks for E9 right now https://www.wallothnesch.com/en/hinterachse/bmw-2-5-cs-3-0-csl-e9/katalogbild-33-13.html. Around that time, W&N were ~$115/ea & would have been materially more with shipping. I was just trying to decide above whether, if they were not the correct ones for the the CN suspension and I chose to go that direction, I should try to limp along a bit. But I really do need something now, as the old ones are 100% gone and I need to take the car to a few places. Thanks again.

 

[teahead]

Sorry, I wasn't clear. I purchased the ones above from BAV on 8/6/18 delivered 8/10/18. W&N doesn't list any rear shocks for E9 right now https://www.wallothnesch.com/en/hinterachse/bmw-2-5-cs-3-0-csl-e9/katalogbild-33-13.html. Around that time, W&N were ~$115/ea & would have been materially more with shipping. I was just trying to decide above whether, if they were not the correct ones for the the CN suspension and I chose to go that direction, I should try to limp along a bit. But I really do need something now, as the old ones are 100% gone and I need to take the car to a few places. Thanks again.

Buy my Spax shocks!

https://e9coupe.com/forum/threads/brand-new-spax-rear-adjustable-shocks.27370/

 

[HB Chris]

I bought a pair five or so weeks ago.

 

[bluecoupe30!]

If you have not spoken to Jim at Mesa Performance yet, try him. He can sometimes surprise you with some NOS items. Or there is Jaymic in the UK. Currently list rear Bilsteins for 127 pound sterling. Good luck!

 

[HB Chris]

Carl Nelson says no Bilstein in the US, I trust him implicitly.