Rear shock absorber change

DanielS · Post by **DanielS** » Sat Sep 18, 2021 8:22 pm

I had on my to do list the handling and I finally got around to it tonight. Shocks I bought where the Bilstein B4 OEM.

I followed the instructions of Z4Me on YouTube

[youtube]https://youtu.be/fU1fhU2zTmA[/youtube]

And all was well until I lowered the car back down...

The ride hight in the rear is now really high and I have zero clue what I have done wrong.

So before I turn the car into a disaster and thoughts?

bigwinn · Post by **bigwinn** » Sat Sep 18, 2021 8:26 pm

Go for a drive it should settle

If it doesn’t- something is wrong

DanielS · Post by **DanielS** » Sat Sep 18, 2021 8:45 pm

You sure about this?

It's my first time changing shock absorbers....

Zulu4 · Post by **Zulu4** » Sat Sep 18, 2021 8:53 pm

Yes, go for a drive.

bigwinn · Post by **bigwinn** » Sat Sep 18, 2021 8:55 pm

100%

Car always sits high after jacking let along suspension works

DanielS · Post by **DanielS** » Sat Sep 18, 2021 10:19 pm

You guys where absolutely right!!

Took the car out for a short drive, and she's exactly where I wanted her to be right hight and handling!

Thanks for the prompt response!

bigwinn · Post by **bigwinn** » Sat Sep 18, 2021 11:07 pm

Glad to be of help!!

enuff_zed · Post by **enuff_zed** » Sun Sep 19, 2021 9:19 am

It will also sit even higher if you lower it with the handbrake on.
Be warned though that if you do this it will jump a little when you let the handbrake off.

DanielS · Post by **DanielS** » Sun Sep 19, 2021 9:23 am

I think it was a combination of handbrake and the way the car was positioned.

This was is the way it looks now.

enuff_zed · Post by **enuff_zed** » Sun Sep 19, 2021 9:35 am

That looks ok now.
When you jack the car up the suspension droops and the wheels slightly fold in under the car due to the geometry of the arms etc.
So when you lower it back down the wheels are sitting a little further in than normal and therefore hold the car a little higher.
If you were to get someone to drive the car away after jacking it, while you watched from behind, you would see the rear of the car move lower, but also the rear tyres moved slightly outwards.
If you jack a car, lower it, then aren't gong to be able to drive it out for a while, simply rolling it back and forward about 10ft will settle the suspension so you're not leaving everything sitting under unnatural stress.

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