Bilstein b4 / Eibach pro-kit
Posted: Thu Feb 25, 2016 1:36 pm
In July 2015 I treated the mk2 to a new set of springs and dampers as above. After discovering the car had mismatched springs on the rear and was lopsided up forward.
Put on new wishbones and bushes, lower ball joint, top mounts, oem bumpstops and boots as all of these were knackered.
I bought the car from a chap in Weston S Mare who had found it under a tarp in someone's garden , where she had been hibernating for 8 years. Originally she was going to be just for a road trip across France last summer, however on return, I couldn't even consider parting with her. Great fun to drive.
Anyway, back to the problem at hand. Changed front wheel bearings yesterday. Both new boots/gaiters were destroyed. Hmm strange. Took them off, new bearings, car back together. Checked how the springs were riding and the bottom of the strut is hard up against the bumpstop!!!!
No wonder the ride is so hard.
On the phone to Eibach and Bilstein just now, apparantly the b4 dampers are only to be used as direct replacement of oem dampers, so with original springs. Balls.
When assembling the new setup, I couldn't get the new oem spacers to fit on as they pushed the top nut up and the nylock wasn't engaged. Currently there is 8mm of thread showing at top of damper.
So. Has anyone else had similar experience with Eibach pro-kit and Bilstein b4's
I'm considering turning the spacers down to 8mm to bring the arch away from tire. Installing in setup without the spring. Then jacking wheel up to see where bumpstop compresses too. Measure arch clearance and see if I can trim the bumpstop a bit. Bilstein reckon 20-25mm of visible strut when at rest is sufficient.
Either that or revert to oem springs...
What a pain. Guess it may have shortened lifespan of wheel bearings too...
Put on new wishbones and bushes, lower ball joint, top mounts, oem bumpstops and boots as all of these were knackered.
I bought the car from a chap in Weston S Mare who had found it under a tarp in someone's garden , where she had been hibernating for 8 years. Originally she was going to be just for a road trip across France last summer, however on return, I couldn't even consider parting with her. Great fun to drive.
Anyway, back to the problem at hand. Changed front wheel bearings yesterday. Both new boots/gaiters were destroyed. Hmm strange. Took them off, new bearings, car back together. Checked how the springs were riding and the bottom of the strut is hard up against the bumpstop!!!!
No wonder the ride is so hard.
On the phone to Eibach and Bilstein just now, apparantly the b4 dampers are only to be used as direct replacement of oem dampers, so with original springs. Balls.
When assembling the new setup, I couldn't get the new oem spacers to fit on as they pushed the top nut up and the nylock wasn't engaged. Currently there is 8mm of thread showing at top of damper.
So. Has anyone else had similar experience with Eibach pro-kit and Bilstein b4's
I'm considering turning the spacers down to 8mm to bring the arch away from tire. Installing in setup without the spring. Then jacking wheel up to see where bumpstop compresses too. Measure arch clearance and see if I can trim the bumpstop a bit. Bilstein reckon 20-25mm of visible strut when at rest is sufficient.
Either that or revert to oem springs...
What a pain. Guess it may have shortened lifespan of wheel bearings too...