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Old 08-12-2024, 06:07 PM
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FunWithPaul
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Default Bilstein coilover help?

Hi All,
I have a 2003 C4S that has Bilstein PSS10 (B16) coilover shocks/struts.

The front spring seats (the black threaded rings) are at the bottom of the threads.



The rear seats are all the way to the top (and the helper spring is fully compressed, with the wheel off)




My fender lips are 25 3/4" in the rear and 25 1/2" in the front.

If I lower the rear spring seats will that raise the ride height?
Or is it the other way around?

What can I do about the front?

The car is too low
(right now to ship on Matson, they need a minimum 6" ground clearance, but it is only 4.5").

Also, do you have the 84 and 95 Bilstein coilover tools?
(with the 6mm pin)



I can't find them anywhere.
I will rent or buy them from you!

Can anyone recommend a suspension shop in the S.F. Bay Area?
How about Honolulu?

Thanks,
Paul

Last edited by FunWithPaul; 08-12-2024 at 06:16 PM.
Old 08-12-2024, 06:26 PM
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De Jeeper
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R these them? Says knoch style not pin but it still may work?

https://www.summitracing.com/parts/bsn-b4xs1z001a00


Or this one. It says its a pin style.

https://www.summitracing.com/parts/bsn-e4xs1z001a00
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FunWithPaul (08-13-2024)
Old 08-12-2024, 07:38 PM
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GC996
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Paul,

https://www.performanceshock.com/bilstein-service/

On one of the bilstein threads here on Rennlist, it was mentioned that Performance Shock in Sonoma was a place to go for Bilstein work. May be worth a call.

I'll get you some pictures of mine as soon as I can get the front wheel off. Unfortunately its been a busy day at the office. May be that the previous owner swapped in different springs to further lower it.
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FunWithPaul (08-12-2024)
Old 08-12-2024, 11:06 PM
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FunWithPaul
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Originally Posted by De Jeeper
R these them? Says knoch style not pin but it still may work?

https://www.summitracing.com/parts/bsn-b4xs1z001a00


Or this one. It says its a pin style.

https://www.summitracing.com/parts/bsn-e4xs1z001a00
Thanks,
I did see the second one, but the description says 60mm

Paul


Old 08-13-2024, 05:14 PM
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Originally Posted by GC996
I'll get you some pictures of mine as soon as I can get the front wheel off. Unfortunately its been a busy day at the office. May be that the previous owner swapped in different springs to further lower it.
The rear spring/helper combo probably shouldn't be compressed with the car in the air if that's the case. That looks like the rear damper and ride height are in fact maxed out but just can't go any higher.
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FunWithPaul (08-15-2024)
Old 08-13-2024, 06:17 PM
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GC996
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Paul, Bilstein has pushed the servicing of coilovers out to different shops. Sonoma may be close to you. I lived in silicon Valley for 7 years and it's wasn't a bad drive to Sonoma. It may be worth a call to Performance. They may be able to take a look at them and see if (1) they are the right PSS10s for the car, (2) if the springs are the right size springs, and (3) what you will need to do to make it right.

I am sorry I haven't had time to jack up my car and take the wheels off to snap a picture with business commitments. But i will as soon as i can.

You can always go to Sharkwerks in the east bay which knows their way around the 996.
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FunWithPaul (08-15-2024)
Old Today, 03:03 PM
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FunWithPaul
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Originally Posted by De Jeeper
R these them? Says knoch style not pin but it still may work?

https://www.summitracing.com/parts/bsn-b4xs1z001a00


Or this one. It says its a pin style.

https://www.summitracing.com/parts/bsn-e4xs1z001a00

Thanks.
I ended up getting 2 of them from Summit (I wish their description was more accurate), they are the same 84 wrenches that come with the shocks. IMO, they are kinda cheaply made (but I guess they get the job done). The pin is actually square.

Getting the correct opening size and 6mm round pin was a bit of a search

I got a 6mm round pin 95mm spanner wrench from
https://www.bloomertool.com/DIN-1810...-Wrenches.html

It was $45 shipped, but a much nicer wrench, it has a true 6mm round pin.




I haven't tried either wrench on the shocks yet.

I got to talk to the Bilstein rep at Werks Reunion Monterey on Friday.

He said he will help me get these shocks/ride height figured out.

I have realized it is not something for a beginner to attempt.

Paul

Old Today, 06:26 PM
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Originally Posted by FunWithPaul
Hi All,
I have a 2003 C4S that has Bilstein PSS10 (B16) coilover shocks/struts.

The front spring seats (the black threaded rings) are at the bottom of the threads.



The rear seats are all the way to the top (and the helper spring is fully compressed, with the wheel off)




My fender lips are 25 3/4" in the rear and 25 1/2" in the front.

If I lower the rear spring seats will that raise the ride height?
Or is it the other way around?

What can I do about the front?

The car is too low
(right now to ship on Matson, they need a minimum 6" ground clearance, but it is only 4.5").
Compressing the spring increases ride height. To gain 1.5" you need to turn the spring seats up by 1.5". At the rear you'd be compressing the main spring and I don't think you'll manage to do so as the force required will lead to massive friction between thread and spring seat. But more importantly you don't have 1.5" of thread left so you'd need a 1.5" thick spacer between bottom of spring and spring seat.

Are you sure that the rear spring is correct for the application in both length and stiffness?



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