Omega Owners Forum

Omega Help Area => Omega General Help => Topic started by: pauls on 27 March 2016, 18:01:06

Title: : Bilstein B4 Rear Shocks
Post by: pauls on 27 March 2016, 18:01:06
Got a set of these for the rear of my 3.2 saloon. I have fitted them but not happy. Hoping for some ideas from anyone else that has these fitted.
I noticed when i removed the air shocks, that the spindle that comes out of the top is shorter on the b4's therefore has less thread for the top nut.
 I remembered that i read on here that it is better to use the orginal rubbers and washers instead of the b4 stuff. Thats where my problem started i fitted the rubber and washer for under the car then went to the inside and went to fit the nut on the top and it just wouldnt fit.
As a temp fix i cut the top rubber in halve. Iam not happy with this but needed the car mobile.

any ideas where i have gone wrong..

O yes i did check on the bilstein website and i do have the correct ones. They number is 19-028613
Title: Re: : Bilstein B4 Rear Shocks
Post by: Lazydocker on 27 March 2016, 18:27:08
Do I remember something about using an estate kit for the saloon?
Title: Re: : Bilstein B4 Rear Shocks
Post by: pauls on 27 March 2016, 18:29:12
I was wondering if any difference between saloon and estate but it doesnt say on website.
Title: Re: : Bilstein B4 Rear Shocks
Post by: 05omegav6 on 27 March 2016, 19:23:46
Do I remember something about using an estate kit for the saloon?
Exactly ;)
Title: Re: : Bilstein B4 Rear Shocks
Post by: pauls on 27 March 2016, 19:31:57
Do I remember something about using an estate kit for the saloon?
Exactly ;)
?? Explain please
Title: Re: : Bilstein B4 Rear Shocks
Post by: ted_one on 27 March 2016, 20:07:11
Al did mine and used the estate kit,worked fine on the MV6 :y
Title: Re: : Bilstein B4 Rear Shocks
Post by: amba on 27 March 2016, 22:54:19
Fitted a set of B,4s on the back of my 3.2  Saloon couple of weeks ago.

The existing fitting kit that comes with the B4,s is not as substantial as the original GM kit,but I am not convinced it would give any real issues if fitted correctly.

Fortunatley I was able ,with the help of Nitro,to assemble enough bits to fit mine using genuine GM parts which when compared to the Bilstein stuff is quite evident why you would try and get Gm if possible.

The bottom rubber mount and the metal sleeve is required from an Estate GM kit but the top mount is the same on either.GM washers are also dished in shape meaning when assembled the top thread is long enough to get the nut and rubber mount correctly fitted in the boot.

My only observation after now driving some 1000 miles on the B4,s is they are noticeable harder in ride than GM shocks and as I tend to carry a boot full of stuff around with me it does have a tendancy to be abit noisier with more rattles.With 4 people in the car the ride is pretty good and the harshness seems to disappear.
Title: Re: : Bilstein B4 Rear Shocks
Post by: pauls on 27 March 2016, 23:07:05
Thanks for that undrstand now.. The bottom rubber bush and the metal sleeve must be thinner/shorter..... than the saloon one :y
Title: Re: : Bilstein B4 Rear Shocks
Post by: baggedestate on 28 March 2016, 20:54:15
sorry to jump on the post but ive bought some bilstein b8 rear shocks for my estate will i have the problem aswell or will they fit ok?
Title: Re: : Bilstein B4 Rear Shocks
Post by: amba on 28 March 2016, 21:41:35
If you still have the original GM rear shocks fitted you should find the fittings from them will fit fine onto the Bilsteins as the problem is with the saloon.

Conclusions is if fitting Bilsteins to a saloon,it is advisable due to the quality of the fittings supplied with them,to fit genuine GM fittings but due to the top threaded section being shorter the existing Gm saloon sets are not suitable so a set of Gm estate are required. :y
Title: Re: : Bilstein B4 Rear Shocks
Post by: baggedestate on 28 March 2016, 22:06:04
i have different rear shocks fitted will have to double check with previous owner and whats been fitted lol but hopefully be replacing them weekend cheers :)
Title: Re: : Bilstein B4 Rear Shocks
Post by: Nick W on 28 March 2016, 22:22:59
i have different rear shocks fitted will have to double check with previous owner and whats been fitted lol but hopefully be replacing them weekend cheers :)


But yours is an estate which would have had the 'necessary' estate parts available
Title: Re: : Bilstein B4 Rear Shocks
Post by: baggedestate on 28 March 2016, 22:31:49
i just wanted to double check as my b8s havent come with any rubber mounts for the top
Title: Re: : Bilstein B4 Rear Shocks
Post by: amba on 29 March 2016, 08:38:46
I am quite certain those supplied with the Bilstein shocks would be quite adequate,however they do appear visually less substantial than original GM parts hence why the concensus is to fit GM if available.

The rubber bottom mount and metal sleeve are different from saloon to estate .The metal sleeve being shorter allowing the threaded top rod to reach further into the top position ensuring the top nut can be scured.

Cannot see any reason why on an estate the fitting parts would ever of been replaced unless previous owner bought new rear shocks which had fittings already supplied and ditched old GM parts as one.
Title: Re: : Bilstein B4 Rear Shocks
Post by: freeman123 on 29 March 2016, 10:22:31
have the exact thing you need two estate lower top rubbers with these fitted will allow plenty of thread as intended to get top nut on  :y

they are original vx ones yours f0r free if you or any one requires
Title: Re: : Bilstein B4 Rear Shocks
Post by: 05omegav6 on 29 March 2016, 12:45:13
have the exact thing you need two estate lower top rubbers with these fitted will allow plenty of thread as intended to get top nut on  :y

they are original vx ones yours f0r free if you or any one requires
Also needs the steel bush that goes inside them as this is what securely locates the mounting...
Title: Re: : Bilstein B4 Rear Shocks
Post by: 05omegav6 on 29 March 2016, 13:25:23
Estate top mounts in assembly order...

(http://i1277.photobucket.com/albums/y486/05omegav6/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_20150320_132305_zps9ueeiylh.jpg)

Bilstein supplied tat...
(http://i1277.photobucket.com/albums/y486/05omegav6/a440039f-c2ca-4294-a00a-de87c29b00ac_zpshl5efz9b.jpg)

GM genuine... Estate top, saloon bottom...
(http://i1277.photobucket.com/albums/y486/05omegav6/IMG_20150426_132411_zpsntty7br9.jpg)

As they say a picture paints a thousand words :y