HELP with Bilsteins!!!
#226
03-16-2010 | 03:18 PM
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Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 174
From: Toronto
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I just picked up my car after having the damptronics and wheel spacers installed.
I made it home !!
No problem, runs like a champ.
I love the ride, its still very compliant even on our fractured roads.
Its sitting LOW.
Not sure how low. The Installer at Pfaff tuning said there is only one height and that's it. Been doing some chin scraping in places i never expected.
I'm happy, its much better than my fears of a flinty ride.
The biggest sensation is, I forgot how powerful these things are.
: )
I made it home !!
No problem, runs like a champ.
I love the ride, its still very compliant even on our fractured roads.
Its sitting LOW.
Not sure how low. The Installer at Pfaff tuning said there is only one height and that's it. Been doing some chin scraping in places i never expected.
I'm happy, its much better than my fears of a flinty ride.
The biggest sensation is, I forgot how powerful these things are.
: )
#229
03-16-2010 | 05:21 PM
Registered User
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 3,116
From: Palos Verdes
Rep Power: 254
I just picked up my car after having the damptronics and wheel spacers installed.
I made it home !!
No problem, runs like a champ.
I love the ride, its still very compliant even on our fractured roads.
Its sitting LOW.
Not sure how low. The Installer at Pfaff tuning said there is only one height and that's it. Been doing some chin scraping in places i never expected.
I'm happy, its much better than my fears of a flinty ride.
The biggest sensation is, I forgot how powerful these things are.
: )
I made it home !!
No problem, runs like a champ.
I love the ride, its still very compliant even on our fractured roads.
Its sitting LOW.
Not sure how low. The Installer at Pfaff tuning said there is only one height and that's it. Been doing some chin scraping in places i never expected.
I'm happy, its much better than my fears of a flinty ride.
The biggest sensation is, I forgot how powerful these things are.
: )
The car could be lowered in a range, generally 10-25 mm or so. If you really want to know how much your car was lowered relative to stock, or other cars, go to the last page of my Bilstein thread in my signature, post # 187
, where I have detailed description of how to measure ride height. It's easy and takes less than 5 minutes to do. Anyone who has Bilstein or any after-market coilover, this measurement is a must to fully understand what was done to your car. :-)
Last edited by cannga; 03-16-2010 at 05:35 PM.
#230
03-16-2010 | 05:51 PM
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Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 174
From: Toronto
Rep Power: 24
;-)
#231
03-16-2010 | 05:52 PM
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Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 174
From: Toronto
Rep Power: 24
Congrats. The feel of more power was one unexpected observation when I installed the Bilstein in my car. I think the reason for this is the reduction of "wasted motion," aka weight transfer (dive, squat, roll).
The car could be lowered in a range, generally 10-25 mm or so. If you really want to know how much your car was lowered relative to stock, or other cars, go to the last page of my Bilstein thread in my signature, post # 187, where I have detailed description of how to measure ride height. It's easy and takes less than 5 minutes to do. Anyone who has Bilstein or any after-market coilover, this measurement is a must to fully understand what was done to your car. :-)
The car could be lowered in a range, generally 10-25 mm or so. If you really want to know how much your car was lowered relative to stock, or other cars, go to the last page of my Bilstein thread in my signature, post # 187
, where I have detailed description of how to measure ride height. It's easy and takes less than 5 minutes to do. Anyone who has Bilstein or any after-market coilover, this measurement is a must to fully understand what was done to your car. :-)Bob
#232
03-16-2010 | 06:01 PM
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I'd be taking my car to someone who knows what they are doing immediately!
#233
03-16-2010 | 06:10 PM
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Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 10,778
From: OR Room 5
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Makes you wonder just how much this installer really knows about installing bilstein damptronics. Of course you can adjust the ride height! Thats one of the key features. And now you say you have bag full of washers and bits left over...gee im glad its your car and not mine.
I'd be taking my car to someone who knows what they are doing immediately!
I'd be taking my car to someone who knows what they are doing immediately!
As far as ride height goes, when I contacted Bilstein, their initial recommendation was -10mm front, -10mm rear, with a recheck in 30-60 days. They gave an official range that ride heights be reduced within the range of 10-30mm in the front, and 5-25mm rear.
Last edited by bbywu; 03-16-2010 at 06:13 PM.
#234
03-16-2010 | 06:11 PM
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From: OR Room 5
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- bob
#235
03-16-2010 | 07:40 PM
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Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 174
From: Toronto
Rep Power: 24
WHOA!
Guys!!!
I was kidding !!!
.... sorry
Guys!!!
I was kidding !!!
.... sorry
#238
03-18-2010 | 09:38 PM
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|
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Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 177
From: Baton Rouge
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Derek,
Any thread that raises safety and concern level is important -- this one included and obviously is quoted in my Bilstein thread. First, I agree with you and others here, that Bilstein should provide the washer and should include clear warning. And material failure is always a possibility.
But.... let me get this straight, after NUMEROUS, ok maybe several
, comments that you need to use another installer, am I understanding this correctly, that you are still using the same guy? Please, please, PLEASE! Tell me it ain't so?
This is becoming a thread not just about safety, but what not to do and more importantly whom not to use during a Bilstein installation. We've heard from your tech throughout now, that he's correct and it's all Bilstein's fault. I think it would be great, for the sake of information exchange and for others who are reading, that other info is provided as well.
1. The Porsche tech, does he own a shop, or is he a tech from the local dealer? Specifically, how many Bilstein PSS10 on a 997 has he done and are those cars/customers known around the area, not collapsing? HE IS ONE OF THE TOP TECHS AT THE LOCAL PORSCHE DEALERSHIP. HIS REPUTATION IS OUTSTANDING. I'M NOT SURE HOW MANY SETS OF PSS10's HE'S INSTALLED; HE DOES HAVE THEM ON HIS PERSONAL PORSCHE. HE'S NEVER, EVER SEEN ONE FAIL, LET ALONE TWO!!!
2. Was the installation done at the dealership, in someone's shop with a license, or at your house? DEALERSHIP.
3. The noise and the installer's test drive: was one done, and if so, why did he not notice the clunk noise that you noticed? Or did he notice and thought it was normal? THE NOISE CAME FROM A VERY, VERY SLOW SPEED AND YOU HEAR IT ONLY AS THE WHEEL IS BEING TURNED COMPLETELY TO THE LEFT OR RIGHT (AS IN GOING THROUGH A PARKING MANEUVER). HE NEVER HEARD IT ORIGINALLY. I DIDN'T EITHER UNTIL I DID THE SLOW TURNING MANEUVER.
4. Your tech is still insisting that the washer was used the first time? "Several pictures" had been taken before the coilover was sent to Bilstein. Did he take a picture that shows the washer on the first failed side? NO, AT THAT TIME, THE WASHER WASN'T AN ISSUE. WE HAD NO IDEA BILSTEIN WOULD SAY THE WASHER WAS THE REASON FOR THE FAILURE (SHOULD SAY LACK OF THE WASHER)! FYI, I DON'T BELIEVE BILSTEIN'S PICTURES WERE OF MY ACTUAL PSS10. PLEASE LOOK AT MY POST ABOUT IT AND TELL ME WHAT YOU THINK.
5. After the initial failure, were all 3 other coilovers pulled completely off the cars and inspected in your presence? Were there pictures taken of the driver's side, with washer on it, and not showing the wear mark? In other words, knowing that one side has failed, were you around to inspect with him, see with your own eyes :-), and do you have pictures of the other side showing the washer? THE DRIVER SIDE, FRONT SHOCK WAS CHECKED (I LOOKED AT IT PERSONALLY) AND THE WASHER WAS THERE. I PERSONALLY WITNESSED THE PASSENGER SIDE, FRONT SHOCK BEING INSTALLED (THE NEW ONE I BOUGHT) AND THE WASHER, AND ALL OTHER PIECES WERE INSTALLED CORRECTLY (ACCORDING TO BILSTEIN'S INSTRUCTIONS). NO PICS TAKEN...WHAT WOULD HAVE BEEN THE NEED FOR PICS? I SAW THE WASHERS MYSELF AND VERIFIED IT. I HAVEN'T VERIFIED THE REAR SHOCKS.
6. I hope you are not thinking of having him now adjusting your Moton?
Just kidding. HA! DECIDED AGAINST THE MOTONS.
What a nightmare. Take care and drive safely.
Any thread that raises safety and concern level is important -- this one included and obviously is quoted in my Bilstein thread. First, I agree with you and others here, that Bilstein should provide the washer and should include clear warning. And material failure is always a possibility.
But.... let me get this straight, after NUMEROUS, ok maybe several
, comments that you need to use another installer, am I understanding this correctly, that you are still using the same guy? Please, please, PLEASE! Tell me it ain't so? This is becoming a thread not just about safety, but what not to do and more importantly whom not to use during a Bilstein installation. We've heard from your tech throughout now, that he's correct and it's all Bilstein's fault. I think it would be great, for the sake of information exchange and for others who are reading, that other info is provided as well.
1. The Porsche tech, does he own a shop, or is he a tech from the local dealer? Specifically, how many Bilstein PSS10 on a 997 has he done and are those cars/customers known around the area, not collapsing? HE IS ONE OF THE TOP TECHS AT THE LOCAL PORSCHE DEALERSHIP. HIS REPUTATION IS OUTSTANDING. I'M NOT SURE HOW MANY SETS OF PSS10's HE'S INSTALLED; HE DOES HAVE THEM ON HIS PERSONAL PORSCHE. HE'S NEVER, EVER SEEN ONE FAIL, LET ALONE TWO!!!
2. Was the installation done at the dealership, in someone's shop with a license, or at your house? DEALERSHIP.
3. The noise and the installer's test drive: was one done, and if so, why did he not notice the clunk noise that you noticed? Or did he notice and thought it was normal? THE NOISE CAME FROM A VERY, VERY SLOW SPEED AND YOU HEAR IT ONLY AS THE WHEEL IS BEING TURNED COMPLETELY TO THE LEFT OR RIGHT (AS IN GOING THROUGH A PARKING MANEUVER). HE NEVER HEARD IT ORIGINALLY. I DIDN'T EITHER UNTIL I DID THE SLOW TURNING MANEUVER.
4. Your tech is still insisting that the washer was used the first time? "Several pictures" had been taken before the coilover was sent to Bilstein. Did he take a picture that shows the washer on the first failed side? NO, AT THAT TIME, THE WASHER WASN'T AN ISSUE. WE HAD NO IDEA BILSTEIN WOULD SAY THE WASHER WAS THE REASON FOR THE FAILURE (SHOULD SAY LACK OF THE WASHER)! FYI, I DON'T BELIEVE BILSTEIN'S PICTURES WERE OF MY ACTUAL PSS10. PLEASE LOOK AT MY POST ABOUT IT AND TELL ME WHAT YOU THINK.
5. After the initial failure, were all 3 other coilovers pulled completely off the cars and inspected in your presence? Were there pictures taken of the driver's side, with washer on it, and not showing the wear mark? In other words, knowing that one side has failed, were you around to inspect with him, see with your own eyes :-), and do you have pictures of the other side showing the washer? THE DRIVER SIDE, FRONT SHOCK WAS CHECKED (I LOOKED AT IT PERSONALLY) AND THE WASHER WAS THERE. I PERSONALLY WITNESSED THE PASSENGER SIDE, FRONT SHOCK BEING INSTALLED (THE NEW ONE I BOUGHT) AND THE WASHER, AND ALL OTHER PIECES WERE INSTALLED CORRECTLY (ACCORDING TO BILSTEIN'S INSTRUCTIONS). NO PICS TAKEN...WHAT WOULD HAVE BEEN THE NEED FOR PICS? I SAW THE WASHERS MYSELF AND VERIFIED IT. I HAVEN'T VERIFIED THE REAR SHOCKS.
6. I hope you are not thinking of having him now adjusting your Moton?
Just kidding. HA! DECIDED AGAINST THE MOTONS.What a nightmare. Take care and drive safely.
#239
03-18-2010 | 10:17 PM
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Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 3,116
From: Palos Verdes
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Hi Derek, I think I would speak for several people here if I were to make this statement: I trust you, but not your installer.
When you decide to go back to him after the initial failure, after numerous advice otherwise, is when "we" lost faith in the story. This move was incomprehensible to me, especially as this easily could be a matter of life/death, no exaggeration.
What a nightmare it is, and I am still on your side with some of your complaints; believe me I am all for consumer's safety. But... bottom line: Your car needs to be flat-bedded to someone other than that Porsche tech. Front and rear coilovers need to be pulled and inspected, and re-installed. To be honest, I don't even trust the rear coilovers anymore.
What a nightmare and if you are to overcome this obstacle safely, that would be the best story of all.
When you decide to go back to him after the initial failure, after numerous advice otherwise, is when "we" lost faith in the story. This move was incomprehensible to me, especially as this easily could be a matter of life/death, no exaggeration.
What a nightmare it is, and I am still on your side with some of your complaints; believe me I am all for consumer's safety. But... bottom line: Your car needs to be flat-bedded to someone other than that Porsche tech. Front and rear coilovers need to be pulled and inspected, and re-installed. To be honest, I don't even trust the rear coilovers anymore.
What a nightmare and if you are to overcome this obstacle safely, that would be the best story of all.
