Bilstein shock installation...Help!

[blacksheepms3]

I got the Bilstein shocks with me now, I will be installing it tomorrow, but I really need help with how much torque to specs various nuts that are involved with the replacement. If anyone of you guys have the shop manual for mazdaspeed 3 suspension. Please tell me how much torque to use on these bolts. Do me this favor and I promise I will do a comprehensive review of the shocks (Bilstein) and springs (H&R) combo for the benefit of this fourm so we'll all know the effectiveness of this combination....compare to stock.

I've read online that this combination is being used by mustangs and bmw owners and it's supposed to be great. I bought the H&R first and i blew my stock shocks, I bought the bilsteins not knowing this combo is being utilized by other drivers, but I'm glad that it's a promising combo.

Anyways, for those who got the shop manual for mazdaspeed 3 please tell me how much to torque the:
shock mount nuts
outer cap nut
sway bar bolt
shock bolt
lower shock bolt
A arm mount bolts

Please specify for front and rear.


Thanks in advance!

 

[speed3shon]

bilsteins are a great choice, no matter what spring you go with...

i used them on my audi a4 with eibach springs, and loved it.

ps... just make sure everything is tight... i wouldnt stress too much about "official" torque specs... i swapped my suspension out many times on the audi, and just getting everything real tight. nothing ever came loose on me...

 

[mark404040]

where did you get it? how much was it??

 

[blacksheepms3]

I got it from ********* I think I read somewhere that ur not supposed to say sellers that arent authorized seller of this forum, if u want to know pm me. But it cost me about $950 total. 325 for front 125 for rear, something like that then shippin cost too. Well, I'm glad i made a great choice. Well, it'll be nice if I get the right torque for each bolt cause these bolts are expose to all kinds of vibrations and I want to make sure they're not loose than they should be or too tight it can be damaged. I saw torque settings for rx7 in the internet if anything I'll use those specs. But if anyone got shop manual please provide the torque specs.

 

[blacksheepms3]

All four shocks are in and the car feels phenomenal. It's nowhere near the stock ride and handling. It's way better and it should be cause I paid over $1000 for springs, shocks and labor. The spring I had installed for $200 (should have done it myself), the front shocks I did it myself and it took my 7 hours cause it was my first time changing shocks, my first car and no instructions. The rear I could have done myself, but I got lazy and i just want it in, I called meineke and they charged me $96 for the rear install.

First time I drove it I noticed right away that the car's nose doesnt go up as much when accelerating. Probably 60% reduction in nose lift when accelerating (objective but not exaggeration), The nose dive is very minimal compare to stock setup. Before the Bilstein shocks the drop was very low and I would scrape when going over bumps and dips. The height has been increase by probably 0.25" which is a good improvement cause I dont scrape anymore. The bounciness is gone. Bilstein does a good job at keeping the stiffer H&R springs in check. The ride is a little stiff meaning you can feel road imperfections but it's a good improvement over when I just had the HR springs and stock shocks. The Wheels and tires doesnt feel like it's hydroplanning (for lack of a better term) over consecutive bumps unlike before. The shocks suck the ground back after hitting bumps. The tires feel more connected to the ground.
Now on turns...There is substantially less leaning on curves unlike before. Before with stiff HR springs and stock shocks the car dont lean so much, but the moment u hit a bump anywhere in the turn the steering wheel would translate out-of-control feeling due to inadequate dampening. But now The steering wheel communicates control even with bumps on mid turn.

I think because of its use of gas instead of oil pressure compare to other shocks, Bilstein is a far more superior product than other shocks out there. It's expensive especially there's not a lot of shocks out there for ms3. I think I will be more happy with bilstein compare to koni...IMO. Well, I just had all of them in so time will tell on how good these shocks are. I will update if anything "wrong" happens. Otherwise, the shocks are doin ok.

Read up on mustang and bmw owners using bilsteins and h&r springs combo. They're unto something good. So my ms3 is a japanese car with german suspension. ( I know there are components I have to change to make it a complete suspension change)

 

[kawiralph]

I'm using Bilstein B14 PSS coilovers on my MS3 and am totally satisfied with the result. The B14 is a huge improvement over the floaty but also somewhat harsh stock setup. The max. drop is nowhere as low as H&R coils but sufficent fro me. Don't be irritated by the fact that the B14 PSS (or B16 PSS if you prefer adjustable damping) isn't dedicated to the MS3 but designed for the "normal" Mazda 3. They fit without problems and the setup is perfect (thumb)

 

[D_Roc7822]

cant wait to see some pics of the combo installed on the car.

 

[RelliMS3]

I'm using Bilstein B14 PSS coilovers on my MS3 and am totally satisfied with the result. The B14 is a huge improvement over the floaty but also somewhat harsh stock setup. The max. drop is nowhere as low as H&R coils but sufficent fro me. Don't be irritated by the fact that the B14 PSS (or B16 PSS if you prefer adjustable damping) isn't dedicated to the MS3 but designed for the "normal" Mazda 3. They fit without problems and the setup is perfect (thumb)

thats great that the coilovers from the regular 3 work. does anyone know if there is a reason that it may not be good to do.

 

[blacksheepms3]

Well, h&r is ms3 specific. Bilstein is for ms3 and m3, i talked to the seller, they valved it they said it's valved more towards ms3. Even though with the same amount of money i could have gone coilovers I'm looking to preserve the stock ride and (edit* but improve the handling.) and it's very close. My friend told me with coilover it'll be harsher and and shocks would need replacement in like 4 years. So that' why I went with this setup in the first place. But that bilstein coilvers looks nice. the drop looks agressive too without overly low. it looks good.

I like the way my bilsteins peek through the ten spoke wheels of my ms3. I'll take a picture when i get the chance. Next year my wheels will be 5 or 6 spokes.

 

[RelliMS3]

thats great. so overall not really any disadvantages except a lighter wallet?

 

[blacksheepms3]

You can say that. I guess a real disadvantage is it is not geared towards track racing compare to coilovers. I would say coilovers would be more fitting if used in track course compare to this setup. But if you're going to be on the streets (not racing, hehe) then this is more practical due to comfortable ride (compare to coilovers)

 

[kawiralph]

I have used Bilstein shocks on various cars throughout the last 25 years and always was very pleased with the results. My ride before the MS3 was a Mazda 6 2.3 station wagon with H&R springs (-2 inches) and Bilstein B8 shocks. The result felt very similar to the coilovers I'm now using on my MS3. Firm, controlled but not overly harsh. If your looking for a quality product with a combination of performance and comfort Bilsteins are a must.

 

[blacksheepms3]

I have used Bilstein shocks on various cars throughout the last 25 years and always was very pleased with the results. My ride before the MS3 was a Mazda 6 2.3 station wagon with H&R springs (-2 inches) and Bilstein B8 shocks. The result felt very similar to the coilovers I'm now using on my MS3. Firm, controlled but not overly harsh. If your looking for a quality product with a combination of performance and comfort Bilsteins are a must.

Agreed. I read numerous car owners of various brands using h&r + bilsteins.

 

[User Name]

I'd like to use the Bilsteins but at nearly $1000 plus the cost of springs, I'm thinking H&R coilovers will be a wiser choise. We so need more MS3 specific shocks to become available so that the prices might drop. Then again, this is my second Mazda and the aftermarket for the Miata isn't significantly cheaper either.

 

[blacksheepms3]

Finally I unbound myself from procrastination and was able to take these pics of my car with the H&R + Bilsteins fully settled and ready to go.
here you go:
Full front

1/4 Front

Front close up

1/4 back

Back close up

Impression: Still great handling, still relatively harsher than stock, but not too stiff. Still no scraping on bumps. On rare occasion that I have 3 adults and baggage at the back, the tires at the back rub the wheelwell lining but only for a second when going over bumps and dips. But abnormal wear on rear tires.

 

[jbiird317]

adjustable or no??

 

[udontknowjack]

adjustable or no??

bilstein shocks are non adjustable

nice set up to op

 

[Haltech]

Nice setup with the Bil's..

 

[blacksheepms3]

they're non adjustables. basically put it in and forget it.

Thanks.

 

[jbiird317]

well i know my bimmer friends swear by bilstien shocks but I wanted to go with something adjustable but I'm not sure what the best is thats out there...hmm now im in a pickle, oh well, not replacing the struts til at least this summer anyway, i guess ill see whats around then