Rear Shocks

Post Fri May 29, 2020 4:38 am

I decided to replace my rear shocks with some Bilstein B4's that I got for a good price. The old shocks weren't too bad, but I thought it would be a nice quick project to test my skills (or lack of).

It's turned into a bit of a pain. I broke two wrenches getting the shocks off (eventually bought a rattle gun). Now the old shocks are off, but it seems the dust covers (#5 in the image below) are attached to the shaft and can't be removed (they're some random Australian brand). Is it a bad idea to use the B4's with an exposed shaft?

Also, the support washers (#6 and #12 in the image) aren't original - they're flat, not shaped. Problem?

Post Fri May 29, 2020 6:18 am

Personally I wouldn't do it as the shaft will get covered in muck and get pounded into the top seal as you drive.

All the Bilsteins I have bought have come with the dust cover, maybe that is why they were a good price

Post Fri May 29, 2020 7:20 pm

Washers and covers should be available from BMW for not very much.

Ben

Post Fri May 29, 2020 10:36 pm

Good god, someone must have got very excited tightening the old ones if you broke spanners undoing them.

Personally I wouldn't worry about the dust covers too much. Unless you do crazy mileage and rarely service the car it will be fine.

Post Sat May 30, 2020 3:51 am

This is doing my head in. Everything that should be easy on this car, isn't easy. Now I can't get the lower bolt (#3 in the image) to catch the thread it screws into.

Post Sat May 30, 2020 4:39 am

Check with Run Auto Parts - they have the Meyle dust boot and bump stop kit.

With the #3 bolt you may need to compress the trailing arm (i.e. jack up a bit).

Post Sat May 30, 2020 10:31 am

Tzantushka wrote: ↑
Sat May 30, 2020 4:39 am
Check with Run Auto Parts - they have the Meyle dust boot and bump stop kit.

With the #3 bolt you may need to compress the trailing arm (i.e. jack up a bit).

I couldn't see anything on Run Auto - do they use a different part number?

I've jacked up the trailing arm, but that's not the problem. I've ordered a new bolt from Repco ($1) to see if it's a simple as that...

Post Sat May 30, 2020 10:58 am

I had same problem with bottom bolt- screwed in fine when locating the bolt on its own but wouldn't catch the threads when inserted thru the shock. 5 mins. of cursing saw it eventually engage.
Washer 6 in your pic. is a plain flat washer on my car.