XHD Bilstein front shock install SOLVED

[JDub113]

The front shocks come with a collar. Collar slides on shock and goes into the bump stop, it stops before the threads come out the top and Ive been told to shove it in farther, but before I do, so I need to take out an old collar or does that thing stay at the top of the bump stop?

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84 Wolfsburg Edition Westy

[Michael4104]

The collar stays and the spacer that came with the shock is not used.
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1990 Wolfsburg Carat with new poptop.
1985 Westy now sporting a 1995 Jetta ABA 2.0L. Sold

[JDub113]

GW just emailed me this morning. The metal sleeve in the bump stop stays there AND is sandwiched between the new collar and upper collar. I remember trying to shove the new collar in the bump stop and it didn’t want to go though... guess I’ll try forcing it somehow.
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84 Wolfsburg Edition Westy

[bobhill8]

I think that as you tighten the top nut, it will force everything where it needs to be. Be sure you have a #5 metric allen wrench to put in the top of the shock thread to keep it from spinning while you tighten it.

[Igeo]

My experience was that the spacer prevented the rubber collar thing from dropping down enough for the shock threads to poke thgrough. I didn't use them.

[JDub113]

That was my experience also for 3 months as GW said I didn’t need them, then said I did need them when I reached out again about it. im thinking I can turn the shock upside down over a deep socket and hit the bottom with a mallet to get the collar to seat, but we will see what GW says about the install being difficult. Maybe that’s how they install them there too.
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84 Wolfsburg Edition Westy

[JDub113]

GW says it’s a tough fit and yes you have to tap it in basically.
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84 Wolfsburg Edition Westy

[Igeo]

Let us know how you do.

[Stuartzickefoose]

GW wouldn’t know if someone made a video for them to watch...
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Stuart Zickefoose

2011 Jetta Sportwagen TDi 6 speed manual

206-841-7324
[email protected]

[Igeo]

Since my van is still on stands while I go through it, I removed the front Bilsteins I just installed 2 weeks ago and had a closer look. Turns out with very little extra effort, one can push the boot down a bit, and that bushing will pop into the recess under the top of the boot assembly. When the top nut is tight, the shock threads are just at the top of the nut. Thanks for asking this. It got me out there to make it right. That bushing effectively allows more travel to the shock, reducing the chance that it will over extend and break if the suspension unloads suddenly. I'm glad I saved 'em!

[JDub113]

Sweet! I’m glad it’s helping others. My shocks seemed to have leaked some fluid already, but from reading, a little leakage is normal. I didn’t see anything too crazy. I did go “2 wheeling” and was flexing it all pretty hard. I’ll just keep an eye on it.
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84 Wolfsburg Edition Westy

[JDub113]

I got both shocks in with the collars. It wasn’t too hard.
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84 Wolfsburg Edition Westy