If you are looking to improve the performance of your truck’s or SUV’s suspension, perhaps you have considered installing a set of Bilstein shocks on your vehicle. These vehicles place greater demand on the suspension system’s damping ability, owing to their larger load carrying capacity, greater overall weight and larger tires. Bilstein shocks are designed with superior damping ability, making them ideal for such vehicles. If you decide to upgrade to Bilstein shocks for your SUV or truck, there are a few things you need to keep in mind.
If you are replacing another shock absorber brand, it’s good to note that you should install the Bilstein shocks as a set. Replacing only one shock absorber is not recommendable since it might have undesirable effects on your vehicle’s handling. The installation of Bilstein shocks also requires some special tools and expert knowledge, therefore it is best to have a qualified suspension specialist do the installation for you. However, if you have the special tools and know your way around shock absorbers, struts and cartridges, you can do the installation yourself and save yourself a few hundred dollars.
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For those doing the installation themselves, one of the most common questions is whether it matters which side of the shocks is facing up. This is because Bilstein shocks have the similar sized mounting eyes on each end. While majority of Bilstein shocks are meant to be mounted with the boot side up, there are some that have the boot side on the bottom. To determine how you should install your specific shock absorber, Bilstein advices that you should mount it such that the logo is always upright.
Another thing you need to keep in mind is that after installing the Bilstein shocks, you should check the suspension caster and camber to ensure that they are in compliance with the manufacturer’s specifications. You should also check the ABS, the load dependent brake compensator and the headlight aim.