Extra thread fabrication or lowering collars for Bilstein HDs?
Thread Starter
Nordschleife Master
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 5,622
Likes: 17
From: Austin, Texas
Extra thread fabrication or lowering collars for Bilstein HDs?
The saga continues but is nearing an end...
I have decided not to replace my front shocks... after a couple of potential buyers fell through at the price I wanted, and the Euro-Dollar sucking, I have determined it will be better to deal with the existing pair. After talking with a couple of independent shops, here are the two best options from what I can tell:
1) fabricate additional 30mm or so of thread on the existing shocks
2) purchase and install the hergesmeirs lowering collars
what would be the pros/cons between these options? both are about the same price... i am interested in some of the expert opinions on any negative consequences to either of these...
goal here is to reduce front ride height by about 1/4 inch and then set the car to RS spec height (+/- 10mm) all the way around...
I have decided not to replace my front shocks... after a couple of potential buyers fell through at the price I wanted, and the Euro-Dollar sucking, I have determined it will be better to deal with the existing pair. After talking with a couple of independent shops, here are the two best options from what I can tell:
1) fabricate additional 30mm or so of thread on the existing shocks
2) purchase and install the hergesmeirs lowering collars
what would be the pros/cons between these options? both are about the same price... i am interested in some of the expert opinions on any negative consequences to either of these...
goal here is to reduce front ride height by about 1/4 inch and then set the car to RS spec height (+/- 10mm) all the way around...
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 177
Likes: 0
From: Seal Beach, CA
I just purchased the lowering collars this week. Hope to install
them time permitting over the weekend. It looks like a simple
deal and should be able to lower the car an additional inch.
Only thing I noticed is there is no provision for locking the
collar in place, but Mark said no one has complained about
them moving once installed. I will be utilizing stock US spec
springs (Non M030) and will be shooting for wheel well
heigth of 25.5 front and rear, wish me luck.
them time permitting over the weekend. It looks like a simple
deal and should be able to lower the car an additional inch.
Only thing I noticed is there is no provision for locking the
collar in place, but Mark said no one has complained about
them moving once installed. I will be utilizing stock US spec
springs (Non M030) and will be shooting for wheel well
heigth of 25.5 front and rear, wish me luck.
Race Car
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 3,753
Likes: 2
From: McKinney, TEXAS
Jonathan,
I just got my (U.S Version) Bilstein HDs put on my TT yesterday. The ride height went up an inch in front and in the rear I was able to go down another half inch. So currently I am at ~25.5" in front and ~24 3/8" in the rear. The desired height for the front is ~24 5/8" or 24 7/8".
I have Eibach Springs all the way around with OEM shocks. I kept my springs and just replaced the shocks with HDs. I also replaced my Sway bars with H&R sways... I must tell you what a night and day differences.
I just ordered the Lowering Collar today and will be at the shop tomorrow for install. I will let you know by Sat how much the collar will bring down the front.
Good Luck.
Chuck,
Darrin is an absolute "First Class" guy
and West End Alignment is an absolute "First Class" establishment . I was there for about 6.5 hours yesterday. He and Chris are a great team . I had the car aligned and balanced... what a great experience during and after the install (on the way home) . 
I will take some pics of the new ride height later. Hopefully this weekend.
I just got my (U.S Version) Bilstein HDs put on my TT yesterday. The ride height went up an inch in front and in the rear I was able to go down another half inch. So currently I am at ~25.5" in front and ~24 3/8" in the rear. The desired height for the front is ~24 5/8" or 24 7/8".
I have Eibach Springs all the way around with OEM shocks. I kept my springs and just replaced the shocks with HDs. I also replaced my Sway bars with H&R sways... I must tell you what a night and day differences.
I just ordered the Lowering Collar today and will be at the shop tomorrow for install. I will let you know by Sat how much the collar will bring down the front.
Good Luck.
Chuck,
Darrin is an absolute "First Class" guy
and West End Alignment is an absolute "First Class" establishment . I was there for about 6.5 hours yesterday. He and Chris are a great team . I had the car aligned and balanced... what a great experience during and after the install (on the way home) . I will take some pics of the new ride height later. Hopefully this weekend.
Thread Starter
Nordschleife Master
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 5,622
Likes: 17
From: Austin, Texas
thanks all for the recommendations... i have heard more about folks using the lowering collars then actually adding threading to the shocks. for this reason, i am leaning toward the collars too.... i wonder are there any experiences out there with doing the threads (?)
Steve/Tony, do please report back on how things work out for you with the collars...
thanks!
Steve/Tony, do please report back on how things work out for you with the collars...
thanks!
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 2,139
Likes: 3
From: Lee's Summit, MO. & 6mmLake of the Ozarks
Hey, just do it...enough already, they work. I just finished up my fronts tonight w/the collars. No problems on the install and it appears with the front un-sprung they are easy to adjust. for some reason my ride height in front is a 1/4" lower than the other side. No probem....jack up that corner, take a measurement and adjust the collar.
Now which one of your smuckos what to come over for a 6 pack of natty lite and help me pull out the intercooler so I can get to those nasty shock tower nuts!!!!!!!!
Now which one of your smuckos what to come over for a 6 pack of natty lite and help me pull out the intercooler so I can get to those nasty shock tower nuts!!!!!!!!
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Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 5,266
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From: Agoura Hills (Los Angeles) California
Tony
I did the same thing. Had Darrin and Chris put on the US Bilstein HD's and realize that the ride was too high. Two days latter the lowering collars came in and it was at the right hieght. If I could only get him to relocate his shop the northern LA County.
I did the same thing. Had Darrin and Chris put on the US Bilstein HD's and realize that the ride was too high. Two days latter the lowering collars came in and it was at the right hieght. If I could only get him to relocate his shop the northern LA County.
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Race Car
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 3,753
Likes: 2
From: McKinney, TEXAS
Chuck,
Have you had any issues with the collar? I didn't replace my springs and the car went up an inch in front. Darrin thinks it's because of the strong gas charge on the new Bilsteins vs. my old worn out shocks. After a while did you noticed if the car settled at all?
Thanks
Have you had any issues with the collar? I didn't replace my springs and the car went up an inch in front. Darrin thinks it's because of the strong gas charge on the new Bilsteins vs. my old worn out shocks. After a while did you noticed if the car settled at all?
Thanks
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Chiming in late here. Is it my understanding that putting bilstein HD shocks on my 97 carrera 4s that currently has H & R springs and stock (boge?) shocks will increase the ride height? My car currently sits a little too low for my taste. So getting these shocks will be a good thing, right?
For a newbie - the suspension can be a bit confusing....
For a newbie - the suspension can be a bit confusing....
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Joined: Jun 2003
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From: Boulder, CO
I think there would be a higher probability of screwing your shocks up if something went wrong while trying to create the additional threading. I would vote for the collars, my $.02.
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From: So.CA
Two things:
1. Mark and Laura are fabulous to work with: friendly, stand by their work, and really know their stuff.
2. Futsing with the shock bodies and cutting threads into them you risk damaging them, IMO anyway.
This really is a no-brainer if you ask me. Hergesheimers has been around for quite a while, have built quite a following of loyal P-car nuts (like me), and are just wonderful folks to talk to and work with. You just can't lose with them.
Edward
1. Mark and Laura are fabulous to work with: friendly, stand by their work, and really know their stuff.
2. Futsing with the shock bodies and cutting threads into them you risk damaging them, IMO anyway.
This really is a no-brainer if you ask me. Hergesheimers has been around for quite a while, have built quite a following of loyal P-car nuts (like me), and are just wonderful folks to talk to and work with. You just can't lose with them.
Edward
Thread Starter
Nordschleife Master
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 5,622
Likes: 17
From: Austin, Texas
Originally Posted by Edward
Two things:
1. Mark and Laura are fabulous to work with: friendly, stand by their work, and really know their stuff.
2. Futsing with the shock bodies and cutting threads into them you risk damaging them, IMO anyway.
This really is a no-brainer if you ask me. Hergesheimers has been around for quite a while, have built quite a following of loyal P-car nuts (like me), and are just wonderful folks to talk to and work with. You just can't lose with them.
Edward
1. Mark and Laura are fabulous to work with: friendly, stand by their work, and really know their stuff.
2. Futsing with the shock bodies and cutting threads into them you risk damaging them, IMO anyway.
This really is a no-brainer if you ask me. Hergesheimers has been around for quite a while, have built quite a following of loyal P-car nuts (like me), and are just wonderful folks to talk to and work with. You just can't lose with them.
Edward
