In Reply to: Re: Do i have to unbolt shock for rear ride height spacer?, Doug W [Profile/Gallery] , Thu, 20 Oct 2011 18:31:56

I did the same "fix" as you this week, Bilstein struts and new OEM springs. I gained a little over an inch but I'm still about 3/4" below spec (I wonder if my Aero SW was ever at 24"?). So my plan was to install 1 9/16" aluminum split collar shaft clamps from Grainger on the Bilstein strut tube right above the "c" ring and underneath the Bilstein aluminum spring perch. But before doing so I spoke to Bilstein's technical department in California and ran my plan by one of their technicians. Their recommendation -- don't do it. Why? Potential "c" ring failure from a hard impact -- like hitting a pot hole at 60 mph. Because the split collar does not have a recess on the surface that mates with and surrounds the "c" ring (which keeps the "c" ring locked in the groove on the strut tube) Bilstein feels the "c" ring could mushroom out of the groove causing the spring to fall to the lower strut bolt -- a potential safety hazard. They do not recommend using the split collar spacer on top of their spring perch either because their spring perch fills the gap between the ID of the spring bottom and the OD of the strut tube. So for me, I will not be using the split collar :-(
Bilstein also said that due to suspension geometry and spring rate, using spacers does not necessarily equate into the same increase in static ride height -- it could be more than the thickness of the spacer, or it could be less.
With only 77k miles, this ride height issue really pisses me off. I'm getting my front and rear suspension checked again tomorrow (second opinion) as well as the rear camber and it's likely shims will be the next thing on my to-buy list. I know my rear camber is bad.

• Do i have to unbolt shock for rear ride height spacer?, alpine951, Thu, 20 Oct 2011 16:59:43
  • Top locknut removal is easy., James, Fri, 21 Oct 2011 04:16:59
  • 1.5" in one piece, jeff02 , Thu, 20 Oct 2011 20:42:45
    • Split spacers..., Dano, Fri, 21 Oct 2011 19:48:50
      • Re: Split spacers...great idea!!, Alpine951, Sat, 22 Oct 2011 07:28:47
    • that link not working n/m, Dean, Fri, 21 Oct 2011 12:51:45
      • Re: that link not working n/m, jeff02 , Sat, 22 Oct 2011 06:25:13
  • Can be stacked, saabsince 93b , Thu, 20 Oct 2011 20:10:29
  • Re: Do i have to unbolt shock for rear ride height spacer?, Doug W , Thu, 20 Oct 2011 18:31:56
    • Bilstein did not recommend split collar spacers (long), 2Saabs4Me, Thu, 27 Oct 2011 19:52:33 <-- Viewing This Message
      • Re: Bilstein did not recommend split collar spacers (long), Mojorik, Wed, 9 Nov 2011 07:53:45
        • send a message, saabsince 93b , Wed, 9 Nov 2011 08:34:43
  • Re: Do i have to unbolt shock for rear ride height spacer?, 2Saabs4Me, Thu, 20 Oct 2011 17:10:52
    • Re: Do i have to unbolt shock for rear ride height spacer?, alpine951, Thu, 20 Oct 2011 17:41:47
      • Re: Split collar spring spacers?, 2Saabs4Me, Thu, 20 Oct 2011 18:17:18

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