[s-cars] S6 - Springs and Shocks change

[RubEric at aol.com]

--
[ Picked text/plain from multipart/alternative ]
I just changed the springs and shocks/struts on my 95 S6.  I installed
Bilstein P36-0369-HO front, F4-B46-2066-HD rear, and Eibach 1529-140.  I
already have 18 inch Avus wheels with 225x40-18 SP 9000’s and big reds.

The task took less time than I had expected thanks primarily to the procedure
and information from Igor Kassel. Thank you, Igor.  The rears were very easy
and the fronts moderately easy. I had hoped to change  the front springs in
situ but there was not room for the spring compressor and so I wound up
removing the struts. I made a tool for tightening the Bilstein front strut
insert cap.

I also replaced the upper strut mounts & strut bearings, cleaned all the
suspension components and touched up the black frame paint.  One of the strut
bearings, incorrectly installed at manufacture, was damaged and one CV boot
needed to be replaced.

The change lowered the car 1-½ inches in the front and 2 inches in the rear.
The wheels/tires now fill the wheel wells.

Not quite so good on the alignment. With elongated slot strut bearing plates,
the caster, toe-in and rear camber set within specs but front camber at -1.5
degrees.  (Spec is -1.25 deg maximum.)  The alignment tech spent 2 ½ hours on
the car.  The next step would be re-drilled upper mount plates or the ECS
adjustable upper mounts.  I plan to defer that decision and monitor tire wear
for now. The car is driven only rarely so I don't feel much pressure to
correct this just now.

The ride was not affected as much as I had expected.  It is somewhat less
smooth than before in that small irregularities on a smooth road are more
noticeable.  The change is about what I would predict if one were to increase
tire pressure by ten pounds.

Eric
95 S6 chipped, digital boost guage
84 Olympic
RT-10
XK-120 (the Wife's)
Mk IV (hers too)
Chry CQ
FLHRC (the Wife's)
FLHR