Installing Bilstein shocks - help

[ohnoitsaninja]

I installed two rear Bilstein shocks, but I can't tighten down the top securing nut. If I try to tighten them with a regular 17mm socket the entire shaft just spins instead of the nut. Is there some special tool that I don't have? I tried holding on to the top with pliers and using a 17mm wrench but this is ridiculous. The nuts that came with the car were 16mm and these new Bilstein ones are 17mm, why? I have a 16mm ratcheting wrench but not a 17mm =(.

[beskhu3epnm]

That means your shocks are runied and you have to send them back...




Just kidding,
I used a pair of channel locks (vice grips) towards the top (where the shaft will not enter the shock body). I put them on reasonably tight, and as I turned the nut, they eventually contacted the wheel well, holding the shaft steady. I was then able to apply the necessary torque.

Upon removing the locks, there was no markings on the shaft anyways, but put them high up just to make sure.

[ohnoitsaninja]

Are they supposed to be tightened down to a certain torque?

[beskhu3epnm]

The Bentley manual calls for 10 ft-lb.

[red97tj]

if you have access to air tools, it'll tighten down pretty easy w/ an impact gun.
good luck

[ohnoitsaninja]

The Bentley manual calls for 10 ft-lb.
I can't use my torque wrench because the entire shaft just spins even though I have it locked down hard.

[beskhu3epnm]

Sorry, should have clarified...
10 ft-lbs for the top
57 ft-lbs. for the bottom

[Engineer3D]

I forget the sizes, but try a open end 17mm wrench, and a allen socket/wrench inserted in the top of the shaft.
If it has the hex slot indented at the top of the Shock.

[Roktgr]

I forget the sizes, but try a open end 17mm wrench, and a allen socket/wrench inserted in the top of the shaft.
If it has the hex slot indented at the top of the Shock.

Yep in the top of the stud there should be a hex, stick a allen wrench in there to keep the stud from turning while you tighten it down.

I put Bilsteins on my Jeep and didn't know this at the time and used channel locks with a rag around the boot to keep it from spinning. Felt dumb after I was done and realized what the hex indent in the stud was for.

[ohnoitsaninja]

It doesn't have a slot in the top. It's tightend down pretty good, not exactly 10ft-lb but close enough I think.

[Roktgr]

It doesn't have a slot in the top. It's tightend down pretty good, not exactly 10ft-lb but close enough I think.

Mines not a slot but a inverted Hex, like an internal socket head bolt. Like whats shown on the end of this bolt.

www . mcmaster.com/param/images/scs/threaded.gif

[ohnoitsaninja]

Mines not a slot but a inverted Hex, like an internal socket head bolt. Like whats shown on the end of this bolt.

www . mcmaster.com/param/images/scs/threaded.gif

The STRUTS I purchased have that, but not the shocks.

[exodus454]

The STRUTS I purchased have that, but not the shocks.

They should. All 4 of mine did. I made a tool out of a long socket, cut a side out of the socket so you could fit an allen wrench in there.



As a note- you should NEVER use an impact gun on the top of the strut/shock.

[Ramm328]

As a note- you should NEVER use an impact gun on the top of the strut/shock.[/QUOTE]

+1