Just change it all at once? I have a problem.
- Thread starter DubC
- Start date
DubC
Greenie N00B Member
Think I read that somewhere that they’d work. But I never know. Ordered oem versions. Hope they hold up as well as current ones have.
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Awafrican
Moderator
Yup Moog rear end links suck to install, only reason I'll be using them again is because of the lifetime warranty. Last time was able to get them to seat with a pry bar on the back "nut" then impact gun to zip it down oh man I'm not looking forward to that coming off... It'll be a cut off I'm sure
DubC
Greenie N00B Member
how often do end links take a shit? i know some can be random but...once you get a bigger bar and some new suspension does that tend to wear them out quicker? or is it cuz you're hammering the car in x-cross or somethin?
It really depends. Honestly, just go on RockAuto and check out their cheap options. Look at pics to make sure they are oem-style installation with a hex-fitting on top, and then choose your preference. They're so cheap and easy to replace (as long as you don't get Moog style) that it isn't a huge deal when they go bad.
Awafrican
Moderator
seems t be every 2-3 years, upgraded sway bar AND POS roads with pot holes everywhere
DubC
Greenie N00B Member
OK! so finally got around to installing these over the last 2 days (yeah i'm slow). also did the rear sway bar whilst i was under there. god damn some of those bolts reeeeally didn't wanna come out.
anyways, so here is my issue (potentially). i'm not sure i have the springs/height adjusted correctly. can someone with knowledge of these please give these a lookover??
when i pulled the rear springs out of the box the adjustment rings were loose on one of them. i then assumed i needed to measure it out, per spec, and adjust each side.. the adjustments were pretty easy to measure with a digital caliper and the booklet instructions were easy to follow by picture (top of spring rubber ring to bottom adjustment ring). here is the current setting:
the struts were a different story. i was pretty unimpressed with their illustration for the adjustment as they had the range (225-240mm) but the lower portion of said range was X mm below the stop tab. no numbers actually printed. i called bilstein just to be sure and the guy said "just set them where you think they should be. you'll need to adjust them anyways." well...that was unhelpful.
then i was told by @JohnnyTightlips that likely they were set right out of the box (the rings were tight as i recall) but i adjusted them anyways. so here is what they are now:
i took the car for a 10 mile test drive, varying the road types, speeds, acceleration, etc. there did seem to be some clunking noises when going over bumps (even backing out of the driveway) from maybe the left front? it's somewhat hard to tell. also i'm not sure what is actually a new noise i'll need to get used to from having stiffer suspension and hitting a bump vs a "oh shit that's a bad noise" noise, like bottoming out.
anyways, any help would be appreciated. i was planning to run these about 200 miles before getting an alignment.
thanks all
anyways, so here is my issue (potentially). i'm not sure i have the springs/height adjusted correctly. can someone with knowledge of these please give these a lookover??
when i pulled the rear springs out of the box the adjustment rings were loose on one of them. i then assumed i needed to measure it out, per spec, and adjust each side.. the adjustments were pretty easy to measure with a digital caliper and the booklet instructions were easy to follow by picture (top of spring rubber ring to bottom adjustment ring). here is the current setting:
the struts were a different story. i was pretty unimpressed with their illustration for the adjustment as they had the range (225-240mm) but the lower portion of said range was X mm below the stop tab. no numbers actually printed. i called bilstein just to be sure and the guy said "just set them where you think they should be. you'll need to adjust them anyways." well...that was unhelpful.
then i was told by @JohnnyTightlips that likely they were set right out of the box (the rings were tight as i recall) but i adjusted them anyways. so here is what they are now:
i took the car for a 10 mile test drive, varying the road types, speeds, acceleration, etc. there did seem to be some clunking noises when going over bumps (even backing out of the driveway) from maybe the left front? it's somewhat hard to tell. also i'm not sure what is actually a new noise i'll need to get used to from having stiffer suspension and hitting a bump vs a "oh shit that's a bad noise" noise, like bottoming out.
anyways, any help would be appreciated. i was planning to run these about 200 miles before getting an alignment.
thanks all
I just started with mine set to the middle of the adjustment range, drove around the neighborhood to settle it, then dialed it in to my taste from there. Didn't get too scientific with it.
For clunks, start with a check over all the bolts again, especially the strut mounts and end links. You want to wait to torque the links down until the suspension is back under load, either car on the ground or on ramps.
For clunks, start with a check over all the bolts again, especially the strut mounts and end links. You want to wait to torque the links down until the suspension is back under load, either car on the ground or on ramps.
DubC
Greenie N00B Member
turns out the end link bolt on the passenger side was not tightened. that was amazingly stupid of me. i thought i checked everything but nae. i also adjusted the springs and in essence raised the ride a little. turns out, i found out after i was already done, that i had them set already to the min height in spec. der. will change that back later. a test drive yielded no clunking noises and a normal ride (albeit stiffer). woot! thanks for the help @SharksInSpace and @JohnnyTightlips
gotovato
Greenie N00B Member
You’ll be fine. If you slam the car you’ll gain more negative camber but with a minor lowering it should be OK. It’s not ideal but it’ll be fine. I personally run rear adjustable camber arms because track duty and dialing in alignment. Choice is yours.
DubC
Greenie N00B Member
What arms are you running? All seem to be about $200
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gotovato
Greenie N00B Member
They all do the same thing. I’m on the SPC arms. If you care about a properly dialed in alignment I’d suggest doing them. If you don’t care(99.8% of people don’t care) then you will be just fine without them.
DubC
Greenie N00B Member
I just don’t want to ruin my tires prematurely as they were not cheap. I’ll spend $200 to save $400 in rear tires if needed.
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SPC and their clones are the best option for rear cambers arms. I actually have a brand new pair in my garage that I'm undecided on installing...I need to get my alignment checked and see how far out of whack it is on the stock arms at current height.
Kevin Mobley
Greenie N00B Member
I have a totally stock 2013, 70k and am finally getting around to upgrading my suspension, It's a second vehicle/DD. I want coilovers and am looking for at least an 1" drop, but no more than 1.5", nothing real low. I've done lots of research and have considered KW, ST, H&R, and Bilstein. I've always had great experience with Bilstein and am leaning heavily to them. I would prefer B16, but they seem hard to find and I'm not totally sure on correct part number for them (please let me know if known). Rockauto has BILSTEIN 48121262 B16 for $1402 assuming they are the correct ones for the vehicle. The B14 are my second choice. I'm wondering how much drop you I can expect with the Bilsteins and overall long term reviews?
Kevin Mobley
Greenie N00B Member
Follow on question between the B16 and B14. Is it worth getting the B16 as I probably just set them and leave them? I'm fine with the $500 difference as long as there is benefit. I will be adding a CS RSB too.
gotovato
Greenie N00B Member
I have the rockauto B16’s. They are legit. I love them. I went from the ST coils to the b16’s and it was night and day. That said I’m a track guy with a track focused build. For you, and for most, the B14’s will be fantastic with no dampening to mess with. The b14’s also have slightly softer spring rates I believe.