Bilsteins installed-Mixed emotions
02-02-2004, 11:45 AM
#1
Registered User
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: NE NJ
Posts: 115
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Bilsteins installed-Mixed emotions
The good.
Firm ride.
Well controlled cornering and street dip recoil.
The bad.
The front end body is higher.
More wheel well showing.
Will the front end drop a bit after break in?
$185 labor install.
Firm ride.
Well controlled cornering and street dip recoil.
The bad.
The front end body is higher.
More wheel well showing.
Will the front end drop a bit after break in?
$185 labor install.
02-02-2004, 12:16 PM
#3
Registered User
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: Albuquerque, NM
Posts: 380
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Whaddya mean 'higher'? By how much? If anything, it should be less than 3/8 inch.
Look at the lower spring perch, the perch should have a center hump going inside the spring to keep the spring centered. If they installed the spring perch upside down, then you'd get about 1.5 inches of lift, and an unstable front spring.
Look HERE
Look at the lower spring perch, the perch should have a center hump going inside the spring to keep the spring centered. If they installed the spring perch upside down, then you'd get about 1.5 inches of lift, and an unstable front spring.
Look HERE
Last edited by Unhappy99; 02-02-2004 at 12:19 PM.
02-02-2004, 01:01 PM
#4
Registered User
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: NE NJ
Posts: 115
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
"Whaddya mean 'higher'? By how much? If anything, it should be less than 3/8 inch.
Look at the lower spring perch, the perch should have a center hump going inside the spring to keep the spring centered. If they installed the spring perch upside down, then you'd get about 1.5 inches of lift, and an unstable front spring"
You are soooo right,Unhappy99!
I called Bilstein and the tech told me it's usually one of two mistake made by the installer.
1.Spring not seated at the top right.
2.Metal collar at bottom of spring is installed upside down.
#2!
My mechanoic showed me the directions and the directions are a bit confusing.
The direction shows a drawing of the collar backwards.
Then the same drawing with an "X" through it.
Confusing.
Anyway the truck is at his shop and will be done tomorow.
The front should drop an inch or two.
Look at the lower spring perch, the perch should have a center hump going inside the spring to keep the spring centered. If they installed the spring perch upside down, then you'd get about 1.5 inches of lift, and an unstable front spring"
You are soooo right,Unhappy99!
I called Bilstein and the tech told me it's usually one of two mistake made by the installer.
1.Spring not seated at the top right.
2.Metal collar at bottom of spring is installed upside down.
#2!
My mechanoic showed me the directions and the directions are a bit confusing.
The direction shows a drawing of the collar backwards.
Then the same drawing with an "X" through it.
Confusing.
Anyway the truck is at his shop and will be done tomorow.
The front should drop an inch or two.
Last edited by redvet; 02-02-2004 at 01:21 PM.
02-02-2004, 01:39 PM
#6
Registered User
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: Albuquerque, NM
Posts: 380
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Your mechanic neither can read directions, nor understands mechanics. Even if there were no directions, how does he/she expect the spring to remain centered on its perch when the centering section of the perch is upside down? The spring will fall off its perch.
And the rest is intuitively obvious....
And the rest is intuitively obvious....
02-02-2004, 01:43 PM
#7
Registered User
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: NE NJ
Posts: 115
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Originally posted by Unhappy99
Your mechanic neither can read directions, nor understands mechanics. Even if there were no directions, how does he/she expect the spring to remain centered on its perch when the centering section of the perch is upside down? The spring will fall off its perch.
And the rest is intuitively obvious....
Your mechanic neither can read directions, nor understands mechanics. Even if there were no directions, how does he/she expect the spring to remain centered on its perch when the centering section of the perch is upside down? The spring will fall off its perch.
And the rest is intuitively obvious....
I'm surprised he screwed up.
I've been dealing with this guy for 20 years.
Very busy shop with a great rep.
Never had a problem.
We're human and make mistakes.
Even obvious ones.
Thanks for your imput and the link.
Trending Topics
02-02-2004, 01:54 PM
#8
Registered User
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: Albuquerque, NM
Posts: 380
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Yes, mistakes do happen. I'm just a little hard on people when I expect them to know their jobs.
In any case, emotions will unmix tomorrow. Bilsteins ROCK!!!
In any case, emotions will unmix tomorrow. Bilsteins ROCK!!!
02-02-2004, 03:01 PM
#11
Contributing Member
Join Date: May 2002
Location: Tempe, Arizona
Posts: 5,278
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Re: Collar
Originally posted by mochoajr
Happened to me at a Toyota dealership. They installed the collar upside down.
Happened to me at a Toyota dealership. They installed the collar upside down.
02-02-2004, 03:04 PM
#12
Registered User
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: NE NJ
Posts: 115
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Re: Re: Collar
Originally posted by sschaefer3
Probably the issue. Take and post a pic.
Probably the issue. Take and post a pic.
http://www.daliracing.com/v666-5/cat...erly/index.cfm
02-02-2004, 03:17 PM
#13
Registered User
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Portland, Oregon
Posts: 1,537
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
My experience with Bilsteins have been very very good.
Billys (as I call them) are firm on the road but, aid reducing vehicle leaning in turns. I have had Billys on my old 2wd Taco, older 2wd Nissan 2wd and I have a second set on my 4wd Hilux. Combine Billys with roadmaster active suspension makes trailing a breeze.
Here's a link regarding roadmaster active suspension.
click me
Billys (as I call them) are firm on the road but, aid reducing vehicle leaning in turns. I have had Billys on my old 2wd Taco, older 2wd Nissan 2wd and I have a second set on my 4wd Hilux. Combine Billys with roadmaster active suspension makes trailing a breeze.
Here's a link regarding roadmaster active suspension.
click me
02-02-2004, 08:06 PM
#17
Contributing Member
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: Littleton,CO
Posts: 10,549
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I'm getting my rear Bils installed as part of my rear spring recall and the fronts will be handles by a friend and myself and then i'll just have to pay for a realignment;I'll also be aware that we install the fronts right side up.
02-02-2004, 08:24 PM
#18
Registered User
red: give the bils sometime. i thought the ride was a little choppy but after about two weeks, the shocks really settled and mellowed out the ride. still firm, but mellowed out.
X-AWD: use a wall mounted spring compressor for the fronts or just have them done. you don't wanna lose your head over this.
bob
X-AWD: use a wall mounted spring compressor for the fronts or just have them done. you don't wanna lose your head over this.
bob
02-03-2004, 03:21 PM
#20
Registered User
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: NE NJ
Posts: 115
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Originally posted by Bob_98SR5
red: give the bils sometime. i thought the ride was a little choppy but after about two weeks, the shocks really settled and mellowed out the ride. still firm, but mellowed out.
X-AWD: use a wall mounted spring compressor for the fronts or just have them done. you don't wanna lose your head over this.
bob
red: give the bils sometime. i thought the ride was a little choppy but after about two weeks, the shocks really settled and mellowed out the ride. still firm, but mellowed out.
X-AWD: use a wall mounted spring compressor for the fronts or just have them done. you don't wanna lose your head over this.
bob
I posted earlier that I think the Bilsteins are great right now.
You mean they'll get even better?
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
JookUpVandetti
86-95 Trucks & 4Runners
10
09-30-2015 08:58 AM
FS[PacNorWest]: 1987 4Runner SAS, 22RE, 5Spd, Dual Cases, etc
toyotasaurus
Vehicles - Trailers (Complete)
0
09-24-2015 03:30 PM
