trouble installing Bilsteins

I bought some Bilsteins and am having a bit of trouble installing the right front. It seems that the lower mounting holes are set too close together. I get the bolt on one side in, and the other side's bolt cannot be threaded in straight. I tried both sides first and moving around and still no luck.

Strangely enough, the left front went in ok. A little tight maybe, but I did it first before I knew the right had a problem. Compared to the old shocks, the holes do look a little closer. Seems very odd. Anybody else ever run into this?

Just slot the holes on the shocks.

jayoldschool wrote:

Just slot the holes on the shocks.

You mean drill them bigger?

No, but that will work, too.

I think the word is elongate one of the holes until both screws go in easily.If you prefer elongate both of the holes a little at a time thereby splitting the distance and centering the shock in the hole.Take your time and dont go too fast.

If it makes you feel any better, the shock mounts on the Konis I just bought are slotted open like forks from the factory. Open 'em up!

Boy are you movin on up Joel,Koni shocks!Do they go on a wagon or something else?

Yeah Joel, what are you putting them on?

Come on Joel,I know of only one other person running Koni,s on a B body?

They're going on a go-kart for my son...  

A shifter cart?

Yeah... a shifter kart.

Just to update, I did get the shocks in and didn't have to modify anything. I let it sit overnight and came back the next day with a clear head. I did a couple test fits without attaching the upper post and found if I did the front bolt first and positioned it all just so, I could get the bolt to go in. So, it does fit, just barely and with no room for error!

I like the way it rides. Much firmer. I thought maybe too firm at first, but it is growing on me.

The car did have the original shocks, at 83k miles.

Be glad you didn't go with the Monroe Severe Service shocks - those are even stiffer than the Bilsteins.

I love my SS shocks. In all 3 of my Caprices.

Toms9C1 wrote:

I love my SS shocks. In all 3 of my Caprices.

Must live where the roads are still in nice condition!Use to brag about the roads around my home but not anymore.By the way welcome to the group
Tom.

I fibbed, 2 1/2. I need to buy 2 rear for the 4doorvett. Feels odd with the KYB's in the Aft.

I plan on putting the monroes on the RMW and KYBs on my 91 OCC.Going to sell the 95 RMW in early fall.

sherlock9c1 wrote:

Be glad you didn't go with the Monroe Severe Service shocks - those are even stiffer than the Bilsteins.

x2 I removed my Monroe SS2's for KYB Gas-A-Justs, and MAN how much smoother the car rode, while still handing much better than stock!

Flasheroo wrote:

Come on Joel,I know of only one other person running Koni,s on a B body?

Yep, Koni's on the front of my 93 wagon...

I was keeping it quiet until WF13, but since that's past...

I sold my '94 RMW (now extensively renovated complete with new transmission) to my brother so it's prowling around Virginia Beach, VA. I picked up a '95 RMW tan leather limited loaded with 64k out of Atlanta late last year and kept it in storage until I got the '94 completed and gone. Same color (tan) so nobody really noticed until I pointed it out. Even 95BRMW and Lynol showed up and looked at the "big mirror conversion" for awhile until they realized the whole car was different.  

The Koni shocks are definitely softer than the Bilsteins. I turned up the rebound damping to 75% and that seemed to do pretty good; still a tiny underdamped but very smooth, almost stock, but with much less bouncing.

Dutch Pete wrote:

Flasheroo wrote:

Come on Joel,I know of only one other person running Koni,s on a B body?

Yep, Koni's on the front of my 93 wagon...

Okay,I know of 2 people running Koni,s on B bodys!