Dvl4evr Posted January 13, 2008 Share Posted January 13, 2008 Just received my Bilstein Sports. I'm no mechanic but I am a handy enough to do this myself. Any idea on how long front and rears should take? On a difficulty meter what would it be rated?Jim Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChadC Posted January 13, 2008 Share Posted January 13, 2008 4/10 for tough ness.the key is to have proper tools. get the car raised on jack stands. have a second jack handy to 'lift' the lower a arm into place. have 1/2 sockets with larger diameter stuff.im guessing the shock bolts are 21 or 22MM but that is a total WAG. It not hard but doing the job with a scissors jack and a pair of vice grips will make it a 10/10 on the ole' tough ness scale. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1EVLC7 Posted January 13, 2008 Share Posted January 13, 2008 Removal Procedure (front) Raise and support the vehicle. Remove the tire and wheel assembly. Disconnect the electronic suspension control electrical connector from the shock, if equipped. Remove the upper mounting nut, insulator retainer, and insulator. Remove the shock absorber lower mounting bolts and nuts. Remove the shock absorber from the upper shock tower and the vehicle. Remove the insulator and retainer from shock absorber. For vehicles equipped with heavy duty shocks (FE3) perform the following steps. Notice: During this procedure, use care not to scratch the transverse spring. 8.1. Perform steps 1-4. 8.2. Using a pry bar compress the shock absorber from the bottom upward. 8.3. Install the J 43822 to the shock absorber while the shock is compressed. 8.4. Remove the shock absorber from the shock tower and the vehicle. 8.5. Remove J 43822 from the shock absorber. Installation Procedure Install the retainer and insulator to the shock absorber. Install the shock absorber to the upper shock tower. Notice: Use the correct fastener in the correct location. Replacement fasteners must be the correct part number for that application. Fasteners requiring replacement or fasteners requiring the use of thread locking compound or sealant are identified in the service procedure. Do not use paints, lubricants, or corrosion inhibitors on fasteners or fastener joint surfaces unless specified. These coatings affect fastener torque and joint clamping force and may damage the fastener. Use the correct tightening sequence and specifications when installing fasteners in order to avoid damage to parts and systems.Install the upper insulator, retainer, and nut. Tighten Tighten the shock absorber upper mounting nut to 26 N·m (19 lb ft).Install the shock absorber lower mounting bolts and nuts. Tighten Tighten the shock absorber lower mounting nuts to 28 N·m (21 lb ft). Connect the electronic suspension control electrical connector to the shock, if equipped. Remove J 33432-A from the spring. Install the tire and wheel assembly. Lower the vehicle. For vehicles equipped with heavy duty shocks (FE3) perform the following steps. 9.1. Install the J 43822 to the shock absorber. 9.2. Install the shock absorber into the vehicle. 9.3. Install the upper insulator, retainer, and nut. Tighten Tighten the shock absorber upper mounting nut to 26 N·m (19 lb ft).9.4. Remove J 43822 from the shock absorber. 9.5. Install J 33432-A to the spring and compress. 9.6. Raise the lower control arm and install the shock absorber lower mounting bolts and nuts. Tighten Tighten the shock absorber lower mounting nuts to 28 N·m (21 lb ft).9.7. Remove J 33432-A from the spring. 9.8. Install the tire and wheel assembly. 9.9. Lower the vehicle. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1EVLC7 Posted January 13, 2008 Share Posted January 13, 2008 Removal Procedure (rear) Raise and support the vehicle. Remove the tire and wheel assembly. Disconnect the rear shock absorber electronic suspension control electrical (ESC) connector, if equipped. Remove the lower mounting bolt retaining the shock absorber to the lower control arm. Remove the shock upper mounting bolts. Remove the tie rod from the control arm. Remove the shock absorber from the lower control arm and shock tower. Remove the upper insulator retainer and insulator from the shock absorber. Installation Procedure Install the upper insulator and insulator retainer to the shock absorber. Install the shock absorber to the shock tower and to the lower control arm. Install the tie rod from the control arm. Notice: Refer to Fastener Notice in Cautions and Notices.Install the upper shock absorber mounting bolts. Tighten the upper mounting bolts to 30 N·m (22 lb ft).Notice: To avoid breaking the mounting bolt that attaches the shock absorber to the lower control arm, tighten the bolt. Do NOT tighten the nut.Install the lower shock absorber mounting bolt. Tighten the shock absorber lower mounting nut to 145 N·m (107 lb ft). Connect the shock absorber ESC electrical connector, if equipped. Install the tire and wheel assembly. Lower the vehicle. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChadC Posted January 13, 2008 Share Posted January 13, 2008 Blew-UR-Momthat is really a cool stand up thing by posting thoes directions. Nice shot buddy. cheerschad Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robert and Elizabeth Posted January 13, 2008 Share Posted January 13, 2008 Wow Ed, that was fantastic info! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
P51tj Posted January 14, 2008 Share Posted January 14, 2008 Way to go Ed!!! THX!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dvl4evr Posted January 14, 2008 Author Share Posted January 14, 2008 Thanks for the breakdown and the help! I'm hoping to tackle the job tomorrow or Wednesday. Jim Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1EVLC7 Posted January 15, 2008 Share Posted January 15, 2008 Let us know how it went, take lot's of pic's. Show us your pointing skills Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dvl4evr Posted January 17, 2008 Author Share Posted January 17, 2008 Let us know how it went, take lot's of pic's. Show us your pointing skills I haven't had the chance to do the install yet, but hopefully in the next few days. I do have one question though. On another forum they recommend to remove the overflow tank to gain access to the top of the shock with a torx. Your post doesn't have that step. Is that something that will be required, or can I get away without that step?ThanksJim Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1EVLC7 Posted January 18, 2008 Share Posted January 18, 2008 not mandatory, it will make it slightly easier. simple to remove overflow so it may be worth it to you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jstrutt Posted January 18, 2008 Share Posted January 18, 2008 Good Stuff ED! Wow you should have your own repair school. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eddie44 Posted January 18, 2008 Share Posted January 18, 2008 I have to agree with Ed. I replaced the tank on my C5 and it just takes about 2 mins. A couple screws and a hose clamp. Not worth the extra hassle not to! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dvl4evr Posted January 20, 2008 Author Share Posted January 20, 2008 Thanks to my step brother in law and his lift, I was able to swap all four in just under 2 1/2 hours. It would have been even faster then that, but we took about 15-20 minutes on the first front shock. Had to figure out what we needed to do to get the darn thing out. Because we went so fast I unfortunately didn't get any pics during the swap. It was definitely not $400 worth of labor, which is what I was quoted by a few different places.Jim Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1EVLC7 Posted January 20, 2008 Share Posted January 20, 2008 great news! Glad to hear you got it handled. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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