[cdgatti]

In a bit of a pickle... hoping someone can help with some ideas

Was installing these new mounts and got one side done fine, but the other side the top mount was hard to tighten from the get go and now I have stripped the allen key hold on the bilstein shock. So when I tighten the nut the whole shock just spins. The top upper mount is less than a 1/4 on, and I can't get it off or tighten it further. Was trying to take it off to just put the old top mount on but now am stuck. Help with ideas if you got them. Thanks!

[avocet]

Is the nut far enough on to grab some thread with a pair of vice grips or something similar?

Then you can hold the shaft and keep it from spinning while you turn the nut.

[cdgatti]

thanks avocet... no there weren't any thread showing thru the nut yet. I went to my local tire/battery/oil change place and those guys bailed me out. Here's what they did.

they slid the bilstein dust boot up, well crumpled it up as it is very thin plastic, then put a vice grip on the shock shaft as high up as possible so the potentially damaged part of the shaft won't see too much action in the shock body, then used a pneumatic wrench to tighten down the top mount. I was so relieved, they were the only place still open late in the afternoon on a Saturday. They charged me $21! I offered to tip $20 and they wouldn't take it. Who says service is dead.

Well follow up after my install ordeal.... first off there was some discussion about removing the wheels or not when installing these, you probably don't have to, I did find it easier to remove the passenger side wheel so I got better access for pulling the shock down out of the top mounting hole to replace the bushing. The bilstein gas pressure is pretty high, so compressing the shock by hand is fairly difficult for this not so young guy! for some reason on the driver side I was able to maneuver around the tire/wheel to reach up from below and pull the shock down. Anyway on to the feel with these afterwards.... they are firmer, almost like my shocks/springs were changed. I guess it is because the rear shocks are now dampening smaller movements than before, perhaps the softer bushings were taking up that first mm or 2mm of movement and now the shock has to. I'll have to live with them a little longer over a variety of surfaces to see if they improved the secondary oscillations that I would get when going over some bumps or coming to a stop.

Had some more opportunity to test, this time at high speed on some smooth and bumpy highway. The feeling I get from the back of the car now, is that I can feel the bilsteins working to absorb smaller bumps. So they either are working harder because of the more secure mounting into the car OR they always did this and the foam mounts just masked it from being felt. Either way I think they work well.

[Drifter2090]

Thanks for the post op! My oem sport shocks are dead, I bought some used sport shocks with low KM on them, I am planning on swapping the shocks soon, would this monroe kit be worth it for me? and is it all I would need to replace or would I need to replace some other things?

Thanks!

[avocet]

I would absolutely change the upper mounts. Too cheap not too.

[Drifter2090]

Originally Posted by avocet

I would absolutely change the upper mounts. Too cheap not too.

Thanks, is that all I should change?

[only1harry]

My local NAPA store will have them tomorrow for me. $10.39 each (+tax).

I shouldn't have any fitment issues with the Bilstein HD's in the back because I put all new OE foam crap bushings on when they installed the Bilsteins. I could have saved about $100 if I knew this a couple of days earlier I hope this eliminates some of the bounincess in the rear when going over bumps. I can't imagine it would make it any worse.

[Drifter2090]

Sorry noob question, is this only for the rear? how many come in the box?

Thanks!

[feuer]

Originally Posted by Drifter2090

Sorry noob question, is this only for the rear? how many come in the box?

Thanks!

Is only for the rear and one shock per box, so you need two.

[Drifter2090]

Originally Posted by feuer

Is only for the rear and one shock per box, so you need two.

Thanks, is there anything similar to this for the front shocks? or do I not have to worry?

Thanks

[feuer]

Originally Posted by Drifter2090

Thanks, is there anything similar to this for the front shocks? or do I not have to worry?

Thanks

No there is nothing similar for the front. If you are replacing the front struts just get OEM strut mounts and you will be all set!

[mikes4]

Are they applicable to XI?

[feuer]

Originally Posted by mikes4

Are they applicable to XI?

Yes!

[cdgatti]

yes the rear upper shock mounts are the same on the rwd and the xi

[mob17]

Silly question, but will they work with Ohlins rears?

Thinking of fitting my solid subframe bushes and m3 arms soon, good idea to add this part in as well i guess.

[cdgatti]

if the ohlins use the std oem bmw upper mounts, than these mounts should also work.

[mob17]

Originally Posted by cdgatti

if the ohlins use the std oem bmw upper mounts, than these mounts should also work.

Im sure the ohlins uses the standard rear top mount. Anyone to confirm?

[parksjm7]

FYI, I found this alternative on rockauto -

FEBI 36779

http://www.rockauto.com/catalog/more...nid=682&jpid=0

Made of polyurethane and $5.43 a piece as of the time of this post. Interested to see if anyone would want to try them out?

[only1harry]

I installed the Monroe ones a couple of weeks ago and noticed the difference immediately. It just feels more compliant back there and the bounciness has been reduced (though not eliminated) which I am happy about.

Also I need to say that before the Monroe upper bushing install, I could push down on the rear suspension very easily, even with the new B6 shocks. Now I can't. There is less travel when I push down on the rear and if feels stiffer. I 'd say that's the difference the rubber made vs. foam.

Harry

[Cloud9blue]

Do they make 12mm of this? Could have saved myself from paying $80 for the overpriced mounts from Powerflex or Dinan...

[feuer]

Originally Posted by Cloud9blue

Do they make 12mm of this? Could have saved myself from paying $80 for the overpriced mounts from Powerflex or Dinan...

Unfortunatelly, they didn't but that is easily solvable for competent diy-er or a shop. But Dinan and Powerflex are also probably stiffer too, so pricewise I guess is OK if yo don't want to go through the trouble modifying the Monroe bushings.

[HP Autosport]

Originally Posted by Cloud9blue

Do they make 12mm of this? Could have saved myself from paying $80 for the overpriced mounts from Powerflex or Dinan...

All you need is a pair of 12mm ID sleeves if you are using aftermarket dampers. The bump and rebound cushions are universal.