Siciliano15

iTrader: (7)

i finally got around to installing the front shocks (Strano Bilsteins) yesterday and keeping the stock springs. i did it in a shop with a friend of mine who is a mechanic. i also used to be a mechanic so the job itself wasnt very confusing. only thing is now after the install, if i hit a bump in the road with the driver side wheel, it sounds like something is loose because it will sound like a loud thump sound. passenger side wheel doesnt do this. i already checked the following things:

1. 2 bolts from bottom of shock to lower control arm are tight
2. 4 bolts from upper control arm to shock tower are tight
3. balljoint bolt with cotter pin is tight
4. everything is lined up correctly

what could be causing this thump im hearing? also, in the instructions on ls1howto.com, i saw something about a bump stop that goes on right after the metal cap....... nowhere in my work do i remember any bump stops coming off the stock shocks and going onto the new ones. i doubt that has anything to do with it though cause im on stock springs and theres no way im bottoming out.

JamRWS6

I'm assuming you compressed the spring before tightening down the nut on top of the shock? That's a must do on stock springs and recommended for lowering springs.

Siciliano15

iTrader: (7)

thats a good question..... it was at least partially compressed but maybe not enough...... could it be that the nut that attaches to the shock shaft wasnt tightened all the way?

DAS1998

iTrader: (12)

most likely the strut mount nut...

Siciliano15

iTrader: (7)

ill give that a try and see wat happens. thanks.

99Bluz28

iTrader: (35)

Shock shaft nut.

FYI, the factory shocks have the bump stops inside the boots

Siciliano15

iTrader: (7)

so the boot is the dust cover right? the bilstein didnt come with one so i put the old dust cover on the new shock.

gonna try to tighten that shaft nut monday and see wat happens.

99Bluz28

iTrader: (35)

Yes, boot/dust cover same thing.

SparkyJJO

iTrader: (11)

I had this. Rubber shock mount had torn so the shock shaft just rode all the way through the enlarged hole and bounced off the top of the wheel well. Replaced the rubber mounts and all was good again.

Also make sure the trapezoidal isolator is in there too.

Siciliano15

iTrader: (7)

might just order another new shock mount. had to do it on the other side so might as well replace this one too. freakin thing was $48 plus $18 for the isolator so ended up shelling out almost $70 for two pieces of rubber. crazy

Sam Strano

iTrader: (41)

Not only could be.... but I'm sure *is*. Common.

The spring must be compressed far enough that there is NO contact with the upper shock mount before you tighten the nut. Then you can let the spring go.

Siciliano15

iTrader: (7)

thats probably wat happened. hope it is. will find out soon. thanks sam.

Siciliano15

iTrader: (7)

thanks to everyone. installed the new shock tower mount and made sure that nut was totally tight and no more rattle. car handles and rides so much better than ever.

only thing im hoping is that the front settles back down again because it seems like its sitting slightly higher in the front now than it did on the stock decarbons. still on stock 1998 ws6 springs.

Sam Strano

iTrader: (41)

Everything is new. The mounts aren't all pounded out, the shocks have tight seals... it'll come back down some with a little time.

Siciliano15

iTrader: (7)

thanks sam. good to hear. car rides and handles so much better than before. on the highway hit a bump and it stays flat instead of bouncing around and feels a lot more solid.

Sam Strano

iTrader: (41)

Amazing isn't it? And so many folks think shocks are all the same.....

Siciliano15

iTrader: (7)

yea. shocks are the last area to cheap out on. i woulda gotten the konis but a little too much $ and i have a great time with Bilstein on my lowered truck so i got these and am impressed all over again.