Lowering With Bilstein Shocks With Circlip - R32

[sonoramicommando]

Hi all,

I have Bilstein shocks which I have acquired second hand and I'd like to use SK recommended 355mm front ride height and 345mm rear.

As I haven't got these from SK Group buy, and bought front and rear pairs from different sources, I have no idea which groove will give me the desired ride height.

The fronts have four grooves, with top two and bottom two 10mm apart and second and third grooves 20mm apart. The rears have only two grooves.

I understand the SK supplied Bilsteins have 5-6 grooves (I forget the exact number).

Can anyone measure the distance from the center of eyelet to the correct circlip groove (alternatively from the top of the shock body to the groove - whatever way works easiest)

Also, is the ride height spring dependent - i.e. if I use stock spring or something other than SK group buy supplied Whiteline spring and use the groove which would give me 355mm ride height, would I still get the same height?

Thanks in advance,

cheers

Sam

Edited May 23, 2011 by sonoramicommando

[blind_elk]

When I installed Bilsteins on my GTS4, I used the top groove for the circlip. I'm using Kings lowered springs.

[sonoramicommando]

Thanks for the reply, blind_elk..

The problem I have is, that I don't know if my top groove is machine at the same position as your top groove.

That's why I need the measurement from a known point (either the eyelet end the top of the shock body).

Obviously it'd be hard to measure that unless any of you guys have the shocks out, I guess.

Thanks,

Sam

[simpletool]

The usual height for king springs is to use the middle one out of 5, but you might want to use the next one up - 2nd from the top. It's not too hard to put it on there and give it a try then try again , that is if you have spring compressors.

I have moved my front and rear up a notch to make everyday driving easier.

[sonoramicommando]

Yeah I got spring compressors - I have Tein S Tech fronts and some random ones for rears. I ll have to sort out rear springs though.

The front springs came out real easy, the circlips were sitting on seconds from the bottom groove, so that explains it I guess.

So do SK Bilsteins have 5 grooves, all at the same interval?

Cheers,

Sam

[simpletool]

yeah meant to be 8mm apart from memory. MAke sure the groove is clean before you put the circlip in. Amazing how small a landing there is to hold up the car.

[sonoramicommando]

looking at the old group buy photos, it looks like the front shocks have 5 grooves and the rears have 6 - is that the case?

[sonoramicommando]

bump - if anyone happens to jack up the car, perhaps measure the distance from the bottom of the shocks to the lowermost groove? like here.

TIA

Sam

[djr81]

Hi all,

I have Bilstein shocks which I have acquired second hand and I'd like to use SK recommended 355mm front ride height and 345mm rear.

As I haven't got these from SK Group buy, and bought front and rear pairs from different sources, I have no idea which groove will give me the desired ride height.

The fronts have four grooves, with top two and bottom two 10mm apart and second and third grooves 20mm apart. The rears have only two grooves.

I understand the SK supplied Bilsteins have 5-6 grooves (I forget the exact number).

Can anyone measure the distance from the center of eyelet to the correct circlip groove (alternatively from the top of the shock body to the groove - whatever way works easiest)

Also, is the ride height spring dependent - i.e. if I use stock spring or something other than SK group buy supplied Whiteline spring and use the groove which would give me 355mm ride height, would I still get the same height?

Thanks in advance,

cheers

Sam

bump - if anyone happens to jack up the car, perhaps measure the distance from the bottom of the shocks to the lowermost groove? like here.

TIA

Sam

Ride height is dependent on the springs you use.

The only way to do this is try it & see. I would use as a start point the lower of the two "Bilstein" grooves.

At the end of the day you may have to re compress the spring & move the ciclip. But it is an easy job.

If you want to add grooves before installing the springs then do so. From memory mine had three above and below the ones you get from Bilstein at the same intervals. But be aware the shocks have gas pressure in them!

Edited June 3, 2011 by djr81