Hello All,

I called Bilstein to inquire about revalving my new rear shocks. I explained there is an issue with the rear shocks on the 122, and it is commonly done. I've read on other volvo boards that the rear is too still, or bouncy, and that Bilstein changed the valving at some point... I don't know.

The gentleman was rather upset. He said they're perfect. Nothing has changed, they are valved for your model.

He told me that if I wanted done, I would have to provide the valving profile.

Any thoughts?

Thanks,

gd

Bilsteins by nature tend to be a bit rough in the bump department, they are better suited to stiff springs, stupidly low profile tyres and a racetrack.

On my 140's and 164's I like my old Koni D shocks, perfect with stock to mild spring rates and mediocre tyres. I bought 1 set in 1988, 2nd set in1990, got a 3rd set on a car and they are all still good. I tried a friends Bilstiens on the front with stock springs an a HD front bar and they were crash, bang, crash over modest road imperfections, so I have been a Koni man ever since.
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69 142S Overdrive + 69 164S Manual

Thanks for the replys!

I looked for the Koni D shocks... No luck. I bought the bils' to go along with 20mm lowering coils from amazon cars.UK.

I frankly didn't think I would ever dial in the shocks... I don't want to do this job again. Folks rave about the Bilstiens! I wonder if they're right out of the box?

Another question, is anti seize a must?
As I understand it, its supposed to make it easier to release the nuts and bolts, not reduce squeaks right? The BMW forums say go dry or die?

Cheers,
gd

Always use antisieze unless otherwise specified, example: Engine oil is specified on B20 rod bolts. (All aftermarket rods come with their own lube) Using lube on the threads and mating surfaces reduces the friction at those places and allows much more clamping force to be applied by the fastener without extra stress.

'Go dry or die' sounds fairly moronic to me. I doubt anyone who says that is any kind of tradesman.

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69 142S Overdrive + 69 164S Manual

Hello All,

I was able to get the Bilsteins and lowering coils in. The drivers side wasn't as easy as the passenger side.

The passenger side is two inches lower than the drivers side. I'm going to look at it again I. The weekend.

I couldn't get the shocks to really tighten down. Is there a trick for this?

Thanks in advance
gd

"I couldn't get the shocks to really tighten down. Is there a trick for this?"

IIRC In order to keep the rod from rotating as you tighten the nut(s), inside the end of the rod there is an hexagonal recess for an Allen wrench. Slip your open end wrench over the nut, insert the Allen wrench, and tighten away.

Hello Danny,

I on;y found the hex slot on the rears.... The fronts have flats on them... for a strut nut socket...

cheer,
gd

That's how mine worked, though I turned the nut rather than the shaft, not knowing if turning the shaft might mess something up internally.

That's what I meant. Use the Allen wrench to keep the shaft from rotating while tightening the nut.

FWIW - I found the 240 HD's to be barely marginal in terms of having enough damping force to deal with a very mild suspension set up (IPD sport springs, bigger bars, bigger wheels, tires, etc.) I moved to a set up that allowed threaded perches for height adjustment front and rear and much higher rate Eibach springs. Would have overwhelmed the Bilstein HD's. The Koni Sports damping rates out of the box were MUCH higher than the HD's -- and a perfect match for the rates I was using.

When faced with costs (including shipping both ways) as well as Bilstein's rather laisez-faire attitude about the whole thing, rather than revalve, I sold my 4 Billy HD's and bought a new set of Koni Sports. A MUCH better outcome all the way around. Net - about $250 - revalving would have been right at $500.
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82 242 6.2L coming...; '15 Honda Fit; '16 Subie X-Trek

....meant "laissez faire". Should add, this is 242 related -- but in my mind the issue is the responsiveness (or lack thereof) of the Bilstein facility out in SanDiego, hence my response.