Suspension Replacement

[jst2878]

alignment is a definite after this is done. no question about it

[daveg520]

cool, Thanks for the info.

[daveg520]

UPDATE:

The car was getting the struts put in today and another mechanic there said that it needs new sway bar links and the struts looked fine. Since I already have the struts ( I bought Bilstein HD's) do you guys think I should just have them put in? The car is an 03 with 81K .

[mrbmwx5]

You're not going to be happy if you chose to replace the Bilstein HD shocks with your stock springs. It's going to be a very bumpy ride & it will raise your car up about an inch higher than usual.

[dpgx5]

Tom, are you saying the front Bilstein's will raise your car? I have them installed but I thought it would be a lower damping? compared to stock.

[mrbmwx5]

Originally Posted by dpgx5

Tom, are you saying the front Bilstein's will raise your car? I have them installed but I thought it would be a lower damping? compared to stock.

Here is my after i installed the Bilstein's with stock springs.

[Penguin]

Originally Posted by mrbmwx5

Here is my after i installed the Bilstein's with stock springs.

I must admit I am at a loss to understand how replacement of shocks could affect the at rest height of the car without a spring change. The shock could give a bumpier ride, or change the height at maximum spring compression or extension, but how would a shock change the at rest height if installed properly? Did they have to add spring spacers or something to make the Bilsteins fit?

Can anyone explain?

[mrbmwx5]

I did measure the height.. The stock is about 4' F and 5'R.
After the Bilstein's HD install it had raise the car up about 5.5F and 6'R.
I didn't add any spring spacers.My car was seat up in the air for a year and the height still there.... So i end up drop that thing with lower springs.