Bilstein HDs. Car riding on bumpstops. Help

[SebSter]

Okay, so now I know why people stay away from the Bilstein HD's, especially on the ix. I just put in some new springs, the back is sitting well how I want it (I have Bilstein Sports in the rear). But in the front, its riding on the bumpstops. I know the HDs have a really high internal bumpstop, is there any way to get at it to cut it down? Im out of ideas here, not only is the front sitting way higher than it should be... but its stiff as a board, the car is basically bottomed out at all times, any slight ridge in the pavement is felt as if the car is going to crack.

Eventually I will have to opt for the Koni Yellows, since they are the only other performance shock made for the front of the ix, but unfortunately I lack the funding right now (to order plus shipping/duty to Canada will run me over $600), and wasnt aware of the bumpstop problem on the HD until after installing the springs. I drive the car really carefully now, and pay really close attention to the road, but I cant take it for too long like this.

Any ideas? Any way to cut down the bumpstops?

[SchnellerVert]

Are your springs to short? HD's are 1" longer than sports and are the same valving as sports. These should not be sitting on stops ie no trave unless the are toast or your front springs are way to short.

Are the shocks neu? what springs do you have?

[erik325i]

Yes, you can cut down the internal bumpstop. I haven't done it myself, so I'm not sure of the exact prcedure. You can open up the bottom of the shock, and the bumpstop should be accessable.

[SebSter]

Well yes, the springs are short... "too" short is a matter of opinion I suppose. I wasnt satisfied with the drop my H&R's gave me, so I went for a different setup with Eibachs. The drop isnt drastically low, it would bring it as low as the average 325is on these boards is.


Remember it is an ix, so the shocks are different than Bilstein HDs for a regular i.


Erik, is there anyone you can refer me to that may know the procedure? Or a website that documents it? I dont wanna just open it up and start cutting, and end up ruining the shock, I'd like to at least have an idea of it before I get in there.

[nando]

this is why I wouldn't stick springs meant for another car on an ix...

[SebSter]

thats like telling someone doing an m50 swap who cant get the car to start: "this is why I wouldnt put an engine meant for another car into an e30"


modifying is sometimes about retrofitting things that werent meant for the car into it to get your desired result. its all part of the fun/ experience.

[SchnellerVert]

Well right now you can't drive the car without damaging your strut inserts, that in itself is bad.

[nando]

thats like telling someone doing an m50 swap who cant get the car to start: "this is why I wouldnt put an engine meant for another car into an e30"


modifying is sometimes about retrofitting things that werent meant for the car into it to get your desired result. its all part of the fun/ experience.

were your desired results a car that bottoms out constantly? sure doesn't sound like much 'fun' to me. my best guess is the front springs aren't stiff enough to handle the extra weight up front, in combination with shocks that should never be used for lowering in the first place and you have your problem right there.

I could have told you before you even thought about it that there would be problems. I don't care if you want to lower your ix more, it's up to you how much you want to stress the front axles. But there are other much better ways to lower a car than to stick random springs on it and hope it works out..

but hey, it looks good right? that's all that matters..

[SebSter]

Well thats my problem... and thats why Im here asking for help. Unfortunately, I didnt know about the Bilsteins when I bought them.


I dont need your sarcasm, or condescending tone. Obviously those werent my intended results, and isn't 'fun' to me. Thats why Im trying to solve it - its my first car and its a learning experience as I go along. And for the record, its not random springs, I've seen Eibachs used on ix'es before, and the drop is only slightly lower than the h&r's so I knew what I was getting into. Unfortunately, I have a feeling the shocks were very close to the bumpstops (if not on them already) even with the H&Rs, the height in the front didnt change by more than .5 cm with the new springs, and now that I think of it, it was just as rough before.


My problem is the shocks, all I need to know is if there is a way that I can reduce the bumpstops. If not then I have to save up for better shocks.

[erik325i]

Erik, is there anyone you can refer me to that may know the procedure? Or a website that documents it? I dont wanna just open it up and start cutting, and end up ruining the shock, I'd like to at least have an idea of it before I get in there.

Seb, i was explained this procedure by a tech at my local BMW performance shop. They do top quality work there, so I would trust their recommendations. You can call them up if you want. The shop is called A&E Performance. It is located in Campbell, CA. Their # is (408 )866-0606

[cwbaader]

Looking at the ride height on your car, I understand why you are on the bump stops. When you lower an e30 that much, you have to shorten the front strut tubes to compensate. The correct distance is 1 1/2". This should be done by a competent shop as accurate cutting and TIG welding will be required.

First, however, contact Billstein and talk with them about your front inserts and ask them about the length of whatever part number you have. If you have a standard insert, there probably is an spacer under the insert so the gland nut will tighten. If that is the case, the tube can be shrtened and the spacer modified accordingly. Good luck, Chuck

[jmalixi]

Shortening the bump stop

Did your shocks come with its own bump stop or did you reuse the stock ones? I've seen some shocks/springs come with their own bump stops that are already shorter than stock.

Anyway, see step #10 about cutting the bump stop.

http://www.h-sport.com/bin/instructions/19824%20E46%20Coils.pdf

BTW, I was chatting about this with my brother as I was contemplating doing this some time ago at his shop and he said that he has seen some of his customers' cars with bump stops already exposed (some installers apprently didn't put the boot that covers the bump stop). If this is the case with yours, you might be able to cut it without disassembling the strut assembly.

Good luck.

[DrMcDave]

i have hd's on my ix, and while i am certainly not riding on bump stops every big hit i take thuds rather nicely. I've got money burning a whole in my pocket just asking for some GC on my ix. I need to call them up and see if they can do GC ix koni's.

i've heard that you can use bilstein sports on an ix, but i forget where. I read it on some site, gordons maybe i dunno.

[nando]

bilstein sports work in the rear, not in the front.

and yes you can get GC for the ix.

[DrMcDave]

i swear i read somewhere you can make the fronts work, but i forget where, and i know gc will work, i just wonder about the GC ix koni's. I just need to justify spending the money somehow. Once i buy my gf a christmas and birthday gift i am good to spend more money on my car.