FINALLY, I was able to cut that damn bolt off the top of the strut assembly / upper mount (it was rusted solid--yet another small victory for the dremel) . I'm replacing the shocks with Bilsteins HD's and reusing my stock springs. Two quick questions: 1) The Bilsteins came with a washer--where does it go? I was so excited to finally get my strut assembly apart that I can't remember where the washer came from 2) What ft/lbs should I torque the new top nut? The instructions that came with the shocks are not very helpful..... Thanks

 

Just curious as to how your install went, did you figure out where the washer went? I'm hoping to do mine soon with blisteins and am hoping you can shed some light on how the car is before/after

Also debating if i should get new springs too..

 

Well, hate to report it but the install is going long and slow . Overall, not difficult, just time consuming. The washer/spacer I was referring to came from the stock shock. It slid on to the rod of the shock before the dust boot. The washer included with the Bilstein is to go under the top nut that holds everything together (the stock nut has an "integrated" washer)--at least that's what I THINK is correct. Anyway, the "long" part of the process for me is due to the fact that I did not properly mark the position of the upper mount to the lower. Even though I've been following Injuneer's Hal write up--I never fully understood why it was so important to draw a line from the upper mount, down the spring, and across the lower mount before dis-assembly. Instead I marked it half-*** and sure enough, after trying to put the assembly back in--it won't line up--so, I need to tear it apart again . At least I know the other side will go smoother.......
BTW, I've been told that the Bilstein HD's are a good match for stock springs and that replacing springs is not needed for normal "street" conditions--swaybars would be a better mod (I'm replacing both of mine). Good Luck....

 

I am going to be doing the same install this weekend. How should I be attacking that nut on top? ...assuming it is rusted on my 95.

 

It WILL be rusted--I had to cut BOTH of mine off with a dremel. This should be your plan of attack: 1) Hit the nut with PB blaster and let sit for 5+ hours. 2) Clean upper threads with wire brush / dremel wire wheel, 3) Take an impact gun and try to get nut off. If yours just spins the rod (like mine) then you can get a box wrench on the nut and put a crescent wrench on the end of the rod and try to get the nut off. Both of mine stopped at the end of the rod and froze. Or you could bypass all this and just make a diagonal cut through the nut/rod with a dremel .

Also, I never did figure out how to correctly mark the shock assembly before taking it apart. I ended up having to "adjust" the DS assembly 2 times before I was able to get it to fit--big PITA. Perhaps someone else could chime in to explain exactly how to mark it .

All in all, not too bad of an install--just took longer than what it should have (which is the case on most of the mods I do)......

 

Great, that sounds like a ton of fun. Congrats on finishing! I've been there too, with my buddy's SS, but his was an '01 and without rust.

My best guess would be to put a marker/chalk/tape line all the way down the assembly if you're not replacing the springs, then just line it all up.

Back to the rusted nut. Is it easier to cut the metal shaft and pull it 'up' out of the rubber upper mount than to slice the nut on top? If so, what kind of saw or tool should I use, I remember there wasn't much access to the shaft once the spring compressors are on.

Thanks, Brian

 

Use a dremel and a cut off wheel to cut through the nut on the top mount--there is enough room to make a diagonal cut--just be careful not to cut the rubber mount. Then take a screwdriver and tap the other half of the nut off the rod. If you don't have a dremel----buy one, it's saved me more times than I can count . As for that darn line--I did just as you stated--still didn't work. The problem is, the lower mount consist of a metal support and a plastic insert where the spring is supported (there are 2 seperate pieces). I think my problem was that I didn't mark the plastic insert in relation to the upper rubber mount. Instead, I marked the lower metal support the insert sits on.
Good luck on your install. If you have any other questions, let me know--it's all pretty fresh in my mind .

 

Good advice. I'll keep ya posted - thanks. I got the HD's today from Bimmerparts.