AGENT 86

Is the upper eye threaded onto rod or is it crimped ?

Is there a poly replacement for eye bushings ?

AGENT 86

don hall

Dan, open link, scroll down to "rear" installation.....I hope you find your answer:

http://www.c5forum.com/forum/ubbthre...te_id=1#import

AGENT 86

Unfortunately not, but thanks anyway.

Ray Quayle

Dan, I'm not sure it this helps, but here is a brand new rear Bilstein from my bench stock:



Can't tell if the upper eye is crimped. The collar could be threaded, but you can see the eyelet itself is welded to the collar.

No idea about poly for the bushes.

JrRifleCoach

Not heard of one and no real advantage to replacing this bushing unless it's breaking down.

Z51L9889

The eye ring is threaded onto the rod.

AGENT 86

I'm converting them to coil-overs. With all the weight on the bushings, there will be an advantage to replace them now.

AGENT 86

Thanks, just wanted to be sure,before I attempt to remove them.
Do you know if there is loctite on them ?

AGENT 86

Thanks Ray, nice looking shocks.

USAsOnlyWay

Let us know how you get them off... Pics?

I know that there is a spherical bearing that can replace the poly on some type of bilsteins. If you are taking off the top mounts, I wonder if you could source those direct from bilstein?

I agree with the rubber/poly. Kind of defeats custom valving if you have uncontrolled suspension movement through rubber compression (that we can't even change the stiffness of).

Keep us posted.

AGENT 86

Well, I just threw one in the vise, with rubber on the jaws. Tried a narrow jaw pipe wrench on the collar, but the shaft just spins with collar.
I don't want to damage the shaft, so I need to find another solution, or try some heat.

Crepitus

A set of soft jaws in your vice? coil over kit on a set of bilsteins, now thats cool!

JrRifleCoach

True.

Should be easy enough to fab some from Delrin/nylon stock.
A lathe and a press should do it.

I have a chunk of round stock if your interested







.

USAsOnlyWay

Any updates?

AGENT 86

Sorry, haven't got back to the eye removal yet, working on poly bushings while waiting for the front sleeve kit. Once I have all the CO parts, I'm sure I will get a little more motivated.

I have the springs now, the 1 7/8'' ID fronts will surely make the fronts a lot easier.

AGENT 86

Got an email from Bilstein in Cali, rear eye is threaded and loctite used.
They only have replacement rubber bushings.

87L98Z52

What are u using as a sleeve kit? Where u getting it from?
Did you have the shocks machined for a clip to retain the sleeve?

USAsOnlyWay

Did they say if you could order a different eye that uses a spherical bearing instead?

AGENT 86

Didn't mention it and it didn't even cross my mind.

Looks like I will emailing Bilstein again.