NB8A: Bilstein Sport B8 damper with Standard factory spring

[ckwan028]

Hi All,

My first post:

They dont fit together. The dampers is too short for the spring.
I am looking at getting Tein S-Tech for my car now
Anyone had any experience with this combination?
and anyone know the standard spring rate?
The Tein is Front 6 Rear 4.5

Thanks in advance

[jonosx]

Why do you feel they are too short for the spring?

The B8 range is designed for use with lowered springs but will also still work with standard springs.

The spring will just be compressed a little more when assembled but this wont really affect anything.

[hks_kansei]

also, the Tein S Tech is available in more than one rate.

there's soft, medium and hard (I don't think the NB version came in hard)

the rates there of 6 and 4 are for the medium from memory?

[ckwan028]

Hi All,

The S-tech spring is medium

My mechanic took the rear shocks off and tried to fit them. The different in length is actually quite big.
Maybe he is afraid he may damage the shocks??
He really gave me a very good excuse to lower my car

Anyway. bought the S-Tech spring off ebay

fingers crossed

[zossy1]

Are you sure the shocks are the NB model?

If you have bought NA shocks the the NB rear springs in particular will be too long.

[ckwan028]

Hi zossy1,

The P/N I got is BE5-6550,BE5-6551

Thanks

[jonosx]

Thats the correct part number for the NB.

I work for Bilstein Australia and we have never had a problem fitting them here with standard springs, and havent had feedback from our customers or workshops indicating there is a problem.

Not sure why there has been an issue in your case.

[zossy1]

Hi zossy1,

The P/N I got is BE5-6550,BE5-6551

Thanks

Looks correct...

[ckwan028]

May I suggest my mechanic is too "chicken" to compress the standard spring too much to fit the spring "into" the shocks???



hopefully my Tein S-Tech arrive and it will be a good fit..

I had experience with Bilstein shocks on my old vectra before and I love it...

[ckwan028]

ok, Tein S-tech with bilstein installed..
Love the ride, actually abit too soft for my taste.
I actually need to look under the car to confirm they did indeed change the spring and shocks

Question: Should I do a 4 wheels alignment?
My mechanic told me not needed. Drive for a few days see how it goes.
Reason being they didn't touch those tie-rod or other suspension component.
But I think I may need it since the ride height is different now. I dont want the road to eat my rubber. you know. Tyres are expensive...

[zossy1]

ok, Tein S-tech with bilstein installed..
Love the ride, actually abit too soft for my taste.
I actually need to look under the car to confirm they did indeed change the spring and shocks

Question: Should I do a 4 wheels alignment?
My mechanic told me not needed. Drive for a few days see how it goes.
Reason being they didn't touch those tie-rod or other suspension component.
But I think I may need it since the ride height is different now. I dont want the road to eat my rubber. you know. Tyres are expensive...

When you alter ride height, a full 4 wheel alignment is strongly recommended to allow for the change in geometry (especially camber) resulting from the lowering.

[hks_kansei]

as above.

technically you should get an alignment after anything suspension related is changed. In reality not so much (as in the difference is often 2/3 of ƒü¢k all)
depending of course on what's changed.

but yeah, certainly after lowering a car.

Give it a couple of weeks of normal driving for the springs to settle, then get an alignment.
if you get it straight up when the springs settle it might change it a little more.

[ckwan028]

Thanks all for ur advise