RS2 Bilstein fitting advice?

[Golfboy666GTI]

Late last year I puchased a set of RS2 Bilsteins for my RS2, they have sat in the box for a couple of months so its about time I fitted them to the car.

I have two questions in regards to this:

1) Im going to get the fronts (which are inserts) fitted by a pro but I want to fit the rears myself. Also I better state that I am keeping the factory springs in the car and that the rear shocks I recieved part number is F4-BE3-6212-H1. Now after doing a few hours research on the forum Ive read that I may need to cut grooves at the bottom of the shock so that the spring is located at the correct height so the rear ride height will be correct. Can someone please confirm what is correct? Surely the shock provided doesnt need to be modified?
Here is a picture of my shock:



2) Do you have any tips for changing the rear shocks? Is it very straight forward? How long should it take per side? Ive changed suspension a number of times in my Mk1 GTI and my Fathers E30 M3 so Im not a novice on playing with suspension but the RS2 doesnt look at straight forward.

[GT500]

It should take max an hour each side. Nice easy job!
Yes you need the groove 13mm lower, they are S4 shockers. Bilstein don't make RS2 ones. Just nip to a machine shop and get them on a lathe.

[Golfboy666GTI]

It should take max an hour each side. Nice easy job!
Yes you need the groove 13mm lower, they are S4 shockers. Bilstein don't make RS2 ones. Just nip to a machine shop and get them on a lathe.

Thanks for the advice.
So do I have take off the ring that holds lower spring hat in place and reuse it 13mm lower? If so what's the knack of taking and reusing the ring?

[Lloyd]

Just gently lift out one end of the circlip with a small flat screwdriver. You should be able
to lift it out of the groove. Then, cut a new identical groove a little lower down the strut.
It's a 5 min job max on a lathe.

[bad8008]

it sounds easy. 1hour.
what do u recon for a newbie who hasn't replace shocks before?
and what do u guys mean by cutting the groove?

[GT500]

it sounds easy. 1hour.
what do u recon for a newbie who hasn't replace shocks before?
and what do u guys mean by cutting the groove?

If you can turn a spanner I am sure you can manage it!
Four bolts holding the shocker mounting to the car, one long one through the top wishbone on to the upright and one mounting the shocker to the bottom wishbone.
Spring compressors on and remove bolt holding the top shocker mount.

You can see the circlip in the above pic, its sat in a goove. it would slip down with the weight of the car on it. Bilseins need a new groove 13mm down from the other or your car will be too high at the back.

[rs2315]

If you can turn a spanner I am sure you can manage it!
Four bolts holding the shocker mounting to the car, one long one through the top wishbone on to the upright and one mounting the shocker to the bottom wishbone.
Spring compressors on and remove bolt holding the top shocker mount.

You can see the circlip in the above pic, its sat in a goove. it would slip down with the weight of the car on it. Bilseins need a new groove 13mm down from the other or your car will be too high at the back.

Spring compressors, that's something else I don't have.
Shame it doesn't all come out like front end, without the need for compressors.

rs2315.

[Skull]

you can overdo it



and i think 13mm wont be enough...

[rj scotty]

spring compressors are available sub £30

cheers

rich

[Golfboy666GTI]

Well Ive dropped my shocks off to get the 13mm groove machined.

Now I see that Skull thinks it should be more? Help! Is 13mm the definitive answer?

[GT500]

Don't panic, Skull is right, from the old thread its 20mm.

Get on the search thing its amaizing whats to be found!

[Golfboy666GTI]

I did search but to much searching and things start contradicting themselves. 20mm it is, better get onto that first thing in the morning.

[GT500]

[A80Avant]

yes i can concur. 20mm is what i have on mine as well

[rs2315]

Mine are 13mm and it doesn't sit low enough compared to front end.
Tape measure doesn't lie.
I'm going for lower, once I've replaced all bushes on car.

20mm, now is eveybody sure about that?????

Can't beat a car forum for conflicting advice

rs2315.