Question abt my new Bilstein dampers. (shocks)

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cudamike13

cudamike13

cudamike13
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I recently bought a set of 4 Bilstein's for my 67 Barracuda.
The front ones are installed, but when I went to put the rears on, they wouldn't fit.
The bushing in the upper eye is too small in diameter by abt ".075
The bushing is not rubber, I tried with some vasalene to force it on but that was no go!

The vendor says it is the correct P/N for my car. Maybe wrong bushing installed in my parts.

Here are some pics.

I would like to know if anybody else has had this problem and what did you do to resolve it?

IMG_3373.JPG
View attachment 1715680205
IMG_3372.JPG


I think you can plainly see they are not the same size. They NEED to be the same size.


I'm thinking drill them out if I have to.
Rather get correct part.

Thanks, cudamike13
 
They're supposed to be tight and I wouldn't drill them. They are a ***** to get on, and they need lubed to install especially if they are Urethane. The tough part is your lining up two post into two holes and if one starts or starts too far the other side is more difficult. On the metal post side, are the ends straight and not mushroomed? You may also need to lift the rear a bit to get them both to line up.
 
Hey Mike ! Hope you're doing good up there ! I have a NOS rear sway bar that had urethane bushings in the box. Never used. I don't know how old they where , but they just fell to pieces in the box.
 
They are definitely a fight to get on. I used a lot of silicone spray and a mallet.
I've heard soaking urethane bushings in warm water will soften them up a bit.
 
Well guys I tried all the above advice except for the hot water part.
Still no go. With almost a tenth of an inch difference in bushing hole, it just wont go on. At least for me.
The lower bushing on the shock fits just fine on the upper stud.
I know some of you said they look right, but you can see in pics, they are very different sizes.
So, now Im stuck until I can talk to people (Dan) at P-S-T.
They have always been helpful.
Well, I still have stuff to do to finish front suspension.
 
RAT ROD AL said:
Hey Mike ! Hope you're doing good up there ! I have a NOS rear sway bar that had urethane bushings in the box. Never used. I don't know how old they where , but they just fell to pieces in the box.
Click to expand...
Yes, I doing ok. How abt yourself? I am making progress on the Barracuda. I'm shooting for having it on road by late summer or sooner.
 
dano said:
They're supposed to be tight and I wouldn't drill them. They are a ***** to get on, and they need lubed to install especially if they are Urethane. The tough part is your lining up two post into two holes and if one starts or starts too far the other side is more difficult. On the metal post side, are the ends straight and not mushroomed? You may also need to lift the rear a bit to get them both to line up.
Click to expand...
Yes Dano, the posts look like new after I took crocus cloth to them. No mushrooming or anything like that. rear of car is up in air, 8 3/4 is hanging down to the extent springs will let it.I have room, to swing rubber hammer, but I couldn't budge it.
 
mopowers said:
Are there any left over rubber bits on the studs? Clean them off really good with some emery cloth.
Click to expand...
No, they look brand new as a matter of fact after I used crocus cloth on them. The bushing hole is just too small. Every shock I have ever bought for a 67 up A body had the bushings the same size top and bottom.
 
You might have a set with the wrong bushings or just be mislabeled shocks. I know your contacting PST but you might contact Bilstein too. Just don't modify the bushing. Drilling rubber or soft urethane is difficult and usually just tares up the bushing.
 
dano said:
You might have a set with the wrong bushings or just be mislabeled shocks. I know your contacting PST but you might contact Bilstein too. Just don't modify the bushing. Drilling rubber or soft urethane is difficult and usually just tares up the bushing.
Click to expand...
I put a set of Bilstein shocks on my 68 Barracuda and I had no difficulty fitting either the front or the rear. I agree with the post that mentions contacting Bilstein directly if you are not getting a good answer from where you purchased the shocks.
 
cudamike13 said:
I recently bought a set of 4 Bilstein's for my 67 Barracuda.
The front ones are installed, but when I went to put the rears on, they wouldn't fit.
The bushing in the upper eye is too small in diameter by abt ".075
The bushing is not rubber, I tried with some vasalene to force it on but that was no go!

The vendor says it is the correct P/N for my car. Maybe wrong bushing installed in my parts.

Here are some pics.

I would like to know if anybody else has had this problem and what did you do to resolve it?

View attachment 1715680203 View attachment 1715680205 View attachment 1715680207

I think you can plainly see they are not the same size. They NEED to be the same size.


I'm thinking drill them out if I have to.
Rather get correct part.

Thanks, cudamike13
Click to expand...
They should be the same size top and bottom.
DO NOT modify the bushings they will not take them back if you do.
For what you paid for those shocks make them supply the correct ones along with a pre paid shipping label to return the ones you now have.
 
Yeah, I'm NOT going to drill bushings!
I'm sure I will get to bottom of this, just can't work on that part this weekend.
Dano, I agree they may be the wrong bushings or they may be mislabeled.
I have switched back to finishing front end.
 
cudamike13 said:
Yeah, I'm NOT going to drill bushings!
I'm sure I will get to bottom of this, just can't work on that part this weekend.
Dano, I agree they may be the wrong bushings or they may be mislabeled.
I have switched back to finishing front end.
Click to expand...
Who did you buy them from?
 
Remove the upper stud from the car and install them in the shock on the bench . Might try putting a small bevel on the leading edge of the stud as well .
Then install the shock on the car with the stud .
 
mbaird said:
Remove the upper stud from the car and install them in the shock on the bench . Might try putting a small bevel on the leading edge of the stud as well .
Then install the shock on the car with the stud .
Click to expand...

Nah , they have the wrong bushings , period !
I had to change the upper bushings on a pair of new imperial shocks to fit my 68 fastback , there are diff. size bushings and diff. size upper studs -----------
The imperials had smaller bushings than the form S barracudas , or the factory put the wrong bushings in .
 
Well guys it took some time, but Dan at PST sent me the correct bushings for the shocks.
Once I removed the incorrect bushings, pressed the correct ones in, it went together very easy!
IMG_3410.JPG
IMG_3411.JPG
 
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