Should my Bilstein shocks have.........

Post Fri Jan 17, 2014 5:09 pm

...dust covers?

Just got them today by courier and opened the box and it's just the shocks in the box and no dust covers or anything?

Thought they would of been included.

Post Fri Jan 17, 2014 5:17 pm

the fronts should have a blue plastic cover like a spring - thats for b8s

rears don't have any

Post Fri Jan 17, 2014 5:20 pm

Awh poop.

Thought they would have had the ble sleeve shown in the picture and on the box

Never mind I can always use the ones off the old ones.

Cheers for the reply jimmyspeed.

Post Fri Jan 17, 2014 7:06 pm

dirtee-herbert wrote: Never mind I can always use the ones off the old ones.

If you have OE dampers on the rear at the moment, the dust covers are a perfect fit.
It's not just a dust cover though - it contains the large load spreading washer that transfers the load to the top mounts. Without these washers, your rear mounts will last about a week, even if they are drand new.

Post Fri Jan 17, 2014 7:09 pm

Another quick question if you don't mind.

May seem stupid but do you use bump stops on e30 rear shocks or are they part of the sping Perch pads further in on the arm?

Post Fri Jan 17, 2014 7:19 pm

Didn't see you post Brian sorry.
I have a set of original shock covers I'm going to use and I have been using the big washers properly and my e46 top mounts have only lasted 8 months in my e30 touring.

Im giving theses a go this time round:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/121208804647? ... 1439.l2649

See how they perform and last.

Post Fri Jan 17, 2014 7:26 pm

If you've destroyed a set of genuine E46 mounts in eight months, then your dampers have probably been bottoming out, using the top mount as an auxiliary spring.
Upper spring pad incorporates the bump stop.

Post Fri Jan 17, 2014 8:05 pm

I have been using some cheapo shocks for the last eight months that have now failed. Hence the refresh of shocks and mounts. If these new ones don't last I'll try e46 ones again on the bilsteins.
Thanks for the advice

Post Fri Jan 17, 2014 8:11 pm

dirtee-herbert wrote: If these new ones don't last I'll try e46 ones again on the bilsteins.
Thanks for the advice

Top mounts will probably last. The question is will the wheel arches?
Always be wary of 'race' parts used on road cars. (Real) race cars are inspected thoroughly every hour or so of use, and the service life of many parts is also just hours, or in some cases, minutes.

Post Fri Jan 17, 2014 8:22 pm

You have a very good point.
The mounts I have bought still use rubber bushes so I hope they don't transfer too much extra shock to the arches.