BradB

I am installing PSS9's with Bilsteins and the rears have the adjustable dials on the shocks. I know there is a designated right and left shock and I have that sorted out correctly, however, do you position the shock so the adjustable dial faces outward toward the wheel or faces inwards toward the car?

Also, how have you "adjusted" the height? Is there a special tool to turn the rings? Or do you simply take a punch and hammer to the rings?

Thanks in advance!

KC993

I have the dials facing the center of the car, so that it would be seen when you mounted the tires on...
As for the rings for height adjustement... there is a special tool for it but I just use an open end adjustable oil filter wrench...
Hope this helps....

Matt Vaughan

Brad, the dials on mine are facing inward so I can adjust them without having to remove the wheels. I can even crawl under the rear of the car without jacking it up -- this course probably depends on the amounting of lowering you've done.

The proper tool for the shock body collars is called a hooked spanner (wrench). Here is a fine example (be sure to copy the entire link):

<a href="http://buy.snapon.com/catalog/pro_det1.asp?P65=yes&qt=1&test=Wrench%2C+Spanner%2C+Adjustable+Hook%2C+3 %2F4%22+to+2%22+capacity%2C+6+3%2F8%22%3B%2440.15%3BAHS300B%3B5837&qty=1 &Item_" target="_blank">http://buy.snapon.com/catalog/pro_det1.asp?P65=yes&qt=1&test=Wrench%2C+Spanner%2C+Adjustable+Hook%2C+3 %2F4%22+to+2%22+capacity%2C+6+3%2F8%22%3B%2440.15%3BAHS300B%3B5837&qty=1 &Item_</a> id=5837&PartNo=AHS300B&Price=%2440.15&ListPrice=%2440.15&FORMNAME=1&Desc =Wrench%2C+Spanner%2C+Adjustable+Hook%2C+3%2F4%22+to+2%22+capacity%2C+6+ 3%2F8%22&SUB_Cat_ID=&SUB_Cat_NAME=&C at_ID=&Cat_NAME=&group_id=601&group_NAME=Adjustable+Hook+Spanners%2C+ind ustrial

Jeff 993TT

FWIW, when I talked to Custom Alignment about mounting sway bars, they mentioned that they offset the sway bar point a few degress to tightenen against the lock collar, just in case it were to work itself loose.

Jeff

[ Edited 12/26/2002 ]

Jeff 993TT

Btw, here's a better link of the adj hooked spanner wrench posted by Matt above:

<a href="http://buy.snapon.com/catalog/search.asp?partno=AHS300B&search_type=Part&store=snapon-store" target="_blank">Wrench, Spanner, Adjustable Hook, 3/4" to 2" capacity, 6 3/8" </a>

Jeff

Matt Vaughan

Thanks Jeff.

Michael S.

Hey Guys,

I now this is an old thread, but it's the closest I can find (utilizing the search) to the topic I need help with.

I've ordered the PSS-9 setup w/ turbo sways (from Gert) for my 993 and am currently tracking the kit as it crosses the Atlantic. I'm hoping to get the tools I'm going to need for installation together this weekend. I want to order a spanner wrench, but I can't find the diameter of the spring collars in any of the old PSS-9 threads. (yes, I know I could use an oil filter wrench, but I want the spanner wrench). Can anyone help me out with this one?

Also, I want to get the right sockets for the strut nuts (can you tell I like collecting tools). Does anyone know of a good source for the sockets here in the states? What size (19mm & 21mm I think)??

As Always, thanks for the help!

Allen

You might want to try a Google search for "Hazet 19mm sockets". Hazet is a German company and I have gotten certain 'hard-to-get' toold from them in the past...Google will get you in touch with someone who sells Hazet. I'm assuming Craftsman doesn't make these?

maurice97C2S

I got correct half open sockets from a local specialist toolshop made by Stahlwille in Germany in 19 and 21 mm (OEM sizes), even more $$$ than I could have got the Hazets if I had been prepared to wait. They are generally listed in any tool list as VW special tools for struts.

The unfortunate thing is that Bilstein supplies nyloc nuts for the front struts to fit a 22mm socket, haven't seen a tool to fit those.... so I used the OEM nuts. And the strut is held still with a 7mm allen front, torx rear, just to keep you confused.

Hook wrenches I got by Gedore; no 40 for 80-90 mm do both sizes on the struts.

Good luck, well worth the trip - cheers, Maurice

Ted Brewer

Michael:

My PSS=9 kit came with two properly sized spanner wrenches. Maybe yours will also. I got mine from a US supplier...Vehiclecraft.

Ted

Michael S.

FYI to everyone,

DHL delivered my PSS-9 yesterday! Thanks to Gert for the fantastic service! Now I just have to find time to do the installation.

I spoke with Bilstein USA this morning and ordered the correct spanner wrenches for the PSS-9 kit. They were a little "snippy" with me about buying my kit from an overseas distributor (told me that they would provide NO tech support for a foregin purchased kit). However, they did sell me the necessary spanner wrenches. There are two sizes and together they total about $20. I had them shipped via next-day air, so the shipping will cost more than the wrenches! But, that's ok. I'm hoping to do the install this coming weekend.

I do have a question for everyone. My PSS-9 front struts have a 7mm hex at the top. The rear ones have something in between a 6mm and a 7mm. Does anyone make a 6.5mm hex key?? If so, I can't find it on the web! Any other suggestions?

Also, does anyone know of a reason why you couldn't use a crows foot on a torque wrench to tighten the strut nuts? I know there's some sort of formula for setting the torque wrench, but I see no reason why I would need to buy the special sockets.

Comments? Advise?

Thanks,

viperbob

Michael,

Just put my rears together this past weekend. They were a 6mm on my setup. Also, when you buy in the states, the wrenches are included. As far as the crow feet are concerned, this might work with the stock rubber shock mounts, but there is no way for it to work with a monoball setup...

Bob

maurice97C2S

</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Arial,Helvetica,Geneva">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Arial,Helvetica,Geneva">Originally posted by Michael S.:
<strong>FYI to everyone,
I do have a question for everyone. My PSS-9 front struts have a 7mm hex at the top. The rear ones have something in between a 6mm and a 7mm. Does anyone make a 6.5mm hex key?? If so, I can't find it on the web! Any other suggestions?

**Its actually a Torx fitting! **

Also, does anyone know of a reason why you couldn't use a crows foot on a torque wrench to tighten the strut nuts? I know there's some sort of formula for setting the torque wrench, but I see no reason why I would need to buy the special sockets.

### don't think you'd get it in there on the stock mounts, either ####

Comments? Advise?

Thanks,</strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Arial,Helvetica,Geneva">Cheers, Maurice

Michael S.

Maurice (& others),

I verified (again) that my rear struts do NOT have a torx socket at the top of the shaft. It is definately a hex, but a 6mm is loose and a 7mm won't fit. I know that doesn't make much sense, but that's what I'm seeing.

Robert Henriksen

I'll throw a couple of ideas out: one, you can always try an SAE-sized key to see if you get a better fit. Two, during one of my marathon phone chats with Steve Weiner, he said that not all tool manufacturers are created equal, especially w. respect to accurate sizing of keys.

Seems pretty shocking to me -- how can it be that hard? -- but just a couple of thoughts to ponder.