Bilstein PSS9 installation guide

[Mr Footlong]

Sorry, regarding question 1, I am referring to the dampening knobs.

Regarding question 2, I know how to do it but appreciate the the actual estimates on turns to height thanks . I am purely being lazy by getting a professional to do it for me as between working, exercise and keeping madam satisfied I just don't have the energy/inclination these days for even basic stuff, sad really....

Should I have received 2 toothed spanners with the set then? I have used those before but as MRC got them in and fitted them, I never saw/got back any bits for adjusting the rings.

[Shoppinit]

Yes, you absolutely need them because they are like fairy poo to find. You should have been given them and it's not cool that they kept them.

[Shoppinit]

For the knobs, I have jacked the car up and managed to adjust the knobs without removing the wheels. Bit of a faff though. Easier if you get it on a ramp. Make sure you have a little dentist's / make-up mirror in case the struts have been put in backwards.

[chunky79]

doug had to post a set out to me cause they werent left in the car after fitment.

[Mr Footlong]

In all fairness it was Christmas Eve when I picked the car up and they came in specifically so I could pick up the car so I think they can be forgiven . They are posting something down to me today so I have asked them to stick the spanners in the same box. Thanks Ben .

If I can actually buy a proper big ass trolley jack that didn't cost the earth with the large rubber pad on the bottom and not another Halfords-tastic yellow jack like the one I have, I would consider doing it myself.

[R1NGA]

Front damping adjusters are easy to get to, although a little bit of 'spit' on the dials makes it easier to read the numbers!
Rears are more of an arse, but can be done by rolling on the ground and reaching round behind the wheel and finding your way to the adjusters. You'll not be able to read the dials, but as mentioned before, if the adjusters are easy to turn, then you should be able to feel the clicks. I never could with mine, hence marking the edge of the adjuster with Tipex to make sure I knew where they were by just looking. But as I said, if they're stiff, and you've gotten fat thumbs, then you'll might not get them to move easily, in which case it's wheel off.

[chunky79]

Front damping adjusters are easy to get to, although a little bit of 'spit' on the dials makes it easier to read the numbers!
Rears are more of an arse, but can be done by rolling on the ground and reaching round behind the wheel and finding your way to the adjusters. You'll not be able to read the dials, but as mentioned before, if the adjusters are easy to turn, then you should be able to feel the clicks. I never could with mine, hence marking the edge of the adjuster with Tipex to make sure I knew where they were by just looking. But as I said, if they're stiff, and you've gotten fat thumbs, then you'll might not get them to move easily, in which case it's wheel off.

Er, REACHING AROUND... and IF THEY ARE STIFF???? This a coded message?

[Mr Footlong]

1. To adjust the height, you must take the wheels off. If you've got a trolley jack and an axle stand, then it's a 15 min job per wheel. Just count the number of turns on the left so you can raise the right by the same amount. On the fronts, raising the spring seat 1cm will raise the car by about the same amount. On the rears, though, 1cm will raise the car 2cm so don't go too nuts on the back. Start with the fronts, then adjust the rears to suit. Anyone that works on cars can do this for you, if you can't be bothered. It's not rocket surgery. Just make sure you give him the 2 bilstein tools.

Ok, I ordered a Sealey 3003cxq jack to replace the old Halfords pants one and will have the tomorrow so am contemplating raising the suspension myself. This is what I am thinking:

Jack the front right and mark the current height with black tape than counting the turns, raise it by 1cm and lock the rings back of course. Repeat for the front left. Same for the rears except 0.75cm spring raise to give a 1.5cm lift according to what you have said regarding the rears. My silly question is as I have to do this park up half on kerb and 1/2 on the road (I do sometimes jack on the sloped gravel driveway but that isn;t exactly ideal ), do I really have to waste my time with stands when it won't take long per wheel? I have stands but not sure why I need them in this instance other than to keep the car a bit lower and take jack failure out of the equation?

I could just park her nose/arse out on the keb and lift/jack both wheels at the same time. Answering my own questions here I am sure but meh, it ups my post count

Thanks.

[Shoppinit]

As long as you are aware of the risks. I admit to sometimes not bothering with axle stands, but ONLY if I'm not putting any part of my body under the car.

Otherwise, my technique is to use a marker to put a mark on the nut and count the number of turns. FYI, on the PSS9 is you put the nut right to the top of the threaded part of the strut, you get my height which is pretty much OE height.

It may not be 1cm nut height for 1cm ride height, but I think it's reasonably close.

[Mr Footlong]

Thanks again Ben. You will be happy to know that I had all the wheels off this morning but then totally chickened out of adjusting the height myself as the front just looked like a dirty messy flaff to do. I did adjust the shocks from 6 to 4 all round though and removed the 2 flat bolts inside the front arches that the tyres were catching on. I am concerned about the lack of length on the wheel bolts but will spam that up on my main thread.

CheeRS

[Keihin]

Hi!

I think it's too soft on 4, especially at high speeds. The car has a tendency to start bouncing on the highway. Much like when on failed DRC, but not as bad.
Anyone tried settings below 4?

Also; is there a setting 3? The number is missing, and I have a hard time feeling any clicks.

[Shoppinit]

Yeah, 4 is the minimum hardness. Put it on one and let us know what you think.

[madi]

Sorry to reignite an old thread but does anyone know what the numbers are for the spanners... need to order some!

thanks

[Ajc]

Sorry to reignite an old thread but does anyone know what the numbers are for the spanners... need to order some!

thanks

You can buy generic coilover spanners for billies from eBay for buttons , I think I paid around £20 for mine and there actually pretty good quality .
Failing that drop Bilstein an email and they should be able too help you out .

[Mɐʇʇ]

Oh - and a quick update too, then - I "think" you don't need to undo the bastard bolt - or at least, fitting my Konis didn't require removal of the bastard bolt....