Why is my NSX higher with Bilstein/stock springs?HELP

[dennis]

I had someone install Bilstein HD #1663,#1665 rear on my '93 NSX. I told him to use the lwering perch. I expected to see the car 7/8" lower but to my shock it now is over 1" higher!! What happened?
Seems like straight forward install, did he not tighten dampering nut? I tought you just put it on a few turns, HELP!
Dennis with the Allroad NSX

 

[Veleno]

Could it be that your old shocks were worn out that it actually dropped your car a little bit?

Then with the install of new shocks it went back to stock height?

idk...just throwing out ideas.


------------------
Richard
NSXTASY

 

[Lud]

Has the person who installed them ever worked on an NSX before? Did you verify that it is sitting on the lower perch (you can see this easily)? Did you have stock suspension to begin with?

 

[dennis]

Well, the guy actually never worked on an NSX (more of a Honda tuner), but it looks and reads from the manual to be straight forward. Yes, he did use the lower perch, it's visable.
My question is, could this be due to not cranking down the dampering bolt? I could kick myself in the head for letting this guy do the install, but hey, I've done it for many yrs when I was younger, just didn't have the time to mess with renting a spring compressor. What can I do now? Just get the Ebach pro set?
Height with 16/17" speedline is 26"F/27.24"R
Dennis in the ALLroad

 

[Larry Bastanza]

Dennis,

Hey how are you?? Hope we can get together Memorial Day at Pete's event. Anyway, I have not put Bilstiens in my NSX, but I have installed tons of them on 911 Porsches. They typically, being a gas shock, would raise the car slightly higher then normal ride height after the installation. Usually, I would also lower the car, so this added height was compensated for by the lowering.

First I would let them settle a few miles (100 or so) then check the ride height again. The other thing is, was the car settled ON THE GROUND, and moved back and forth BEFORE the lower shock mounting bolts were tightened? The lower mount bolt can bind the shock in the extended position, if it is tightened with the car still up on stands.

Looking forward to seeing you this summer. Every time I mention the New Hampshire event and I refer to you, Stephanie, says "Oh, you mean Dennis with the red NSX?!" ;-).

HTH,
LarryB

[This message has been edited by Larry Bastanza (edited 23 April 2002).]

 

[RyRy210]

I've seen this happen before. The perch might be installed upside down since its a removeable perch. Here is a picture of a perch that's installed upside down, it should be the other way around. <img src=http://www.nsxprime.com/FAQ/Performance/images/bilstein2.jpg>

Ryan

 

[Larry Bastanza]

RyRy210,

Great catch! Gee, that sure does look like the car would end up a good inch or so higher.

LarryB