Rebuilding Coilover Shocks at home?

[0-60motorsports]

Hey guys, I was watching some bike restoration videos and always see those guys rebuilding shocks at home. Is there no shop/supplier out there that sells parts and shock oil to rebuild performance coilover shocks at home for our cars?

For someone like myself (and many others I presume) thousands of miles away from someone like Fatcat Motorsports shipping heavy shocks back and forth would cost more than a brand new coilover kit sometimes. Heck even shipping to someone in Europe would be a nightmare due to the customs repair and return procedure and VAT issues.

[eacmen]

I wouldn’t. Best to have someone with a shock dyno to the rebuild.

[0-60motorsports]

I wouldn’t. Best to have someone with a shock dyno to the rebuild.

Why not? It’s not that hard from what I see with motorcycles. Any able DIYer can do it I’m sure.

[eacmen]

Why not? It’s not that hard from what I see with motorcycles. Any able DIYer can do it I’m sure.

If you’re chasing tenths I would have them valved and dynod for your target spring rate range.

You can easily change oil and seals but you won’t know if you did a good job without getting them dyno’d.

I tried to rebuild bilstein pss and dealing with their support was horrible. They refused to sell me the same parts that an authorized service center could buy.

[0-60motorsports]

If you’re chasing tenths I would have them valved and dynod for your target spring rate range.

You can easily change oil and seals but you won’t know if you did a good job without getting them dyno’d.

I tried to rebuild bilstein pss and dealing with their support was horrible. They refused to sell me the same parts that an authorized service center could buy.

Ah yes, shock dynos. I wonder how much a new bilstein PSS10 shock costs.


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[cobra]

It entirely depends on the shock model. Some are made to be easily serviced (as long as you have the parts). A monotube with schraeder valve is pretty easy to work on yourself.

Others are not made to be taken apart. Lots of crimped/welded parts and filled with special tools only used in the factory. You can probably take it apart in the garage, but no way to put it back together and bleed it properly.

[eacmen]

Ah yes, shock dynos. I wonder how much a new bilstein PSS10 shock costs.


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Ended up replacing them with JRZs then wrecking the car on the first event. New car has ohlins.

[Casa de Mesa]

Aren't a lot of these shocks also gas pressurized? Would be next to impossible to refill that charge without the equivalent pressurized gas and equipment.

[0-60motorsports]

Ended up replacing them with JRZs then wrecking the car on the first event. New car has ohlins.

Ah sorry to hear that brother

[cobra]

Aren't a lot of these shocks also gas pressurized? Would be next to impossible to refill that charge without the equivalent pressurized gas and equipment.

Again, it depends. A low pressure twin tube is usually assembled using special tooling. Some monotube dampers are pressurized with a needle or other mechanism requiring special tooling. Others use a schrader valve so you can do it at home with an air compressor if you wanted to, then bring it to a place with nitrogen when it's convenient.

[maupineda]

The issue you will face is finding spares. I just spent the whole morning, and even with the part numbers from the Bilstein catalog, is close to impossible to source them.

on top of that, assuming you have the spares, valves, shims, etc, as well as the equipment to nitrogen fill, you need the dyno to verify you are were you wanted to.

i was looking into this as I wanted to buy e46 B6 struts to take the insert off and transfer it to my Z4M strut housing. Mind you, all I need are DU bushings and wiper seals, and even those proved to very hard to find.

[Cronenberged]

I would say rebuild them yourself, but have them sent off to be dyno'd

[cobra]

You don't need to have them dyno'd if you're just doing a rebuild. Some small variation is common and acceptable. If you're trying to tune them and making significant changes then yes you should have them dyno'd.

[bigjae46]

I was told that rebuilding a diff should be left to professionals and it could not be done. Was even told this on THIS forum. I rebuilt my diff and it's doing just fine.

I'll just leave this here....should answer your question.

[0-60motorsports]

I was told that rebuilding a diff should be left to professionals and it could not be done. Was even told this on THIS forum. I rebuilt my diff and it's doing just fine.

I'll just leave this here....should answer your question.

Exactly. I don’t know why it’s so hard with car shocks vs bike shocks.