bilstien shocks ,question

[wm norris]

installing the gas charged bilstiens on my 06. do you need to re align afterwards ?? thanks

[No Doubt]

It's a good idea, yes. Anytime you change or modify suspension components you should, as changes in ride height or other parameters can adversely affect the alignment.

[DennyM]

Talk to me, No Doubt ... I thought a shock change didn't affect alignment ...

[No Doubt]

If the new shocks are shorter than those they're replacing, for example, it can lower the ride height which in turn will affect the alignment (more negative camber).

It's usually not significant, but still a change.

[extanker]

no alignment needed. shocks dont change how high or low the car rides,unless ya have coilovers

[No Doubt]

Not all do, but some most certainly do. Any shock with a shorter than OEM body can definitely lower ride height.

As an example, The Koni's on my C5Z, before I went to coilovers, lowered the car ~1/2" and they did change the alignment.

[blkZ06]

I did a realignment on my C5 after I changed out the shocks, but I did let it 'settle' a bit before I did.

Don't know if the same would hold true for the C6

[No Doubt]

A C6 is no different in that regard, being almost identical. A shock change alone often won't make a significant change in alignment, although again, it can depending on the shocks. However, if you lower the car along with new shocks (not unusual) then an alignment is virtually a must, on any car.

It's simply good practice to check alignment anytime you make a change, any change, to the suspension. It's not about who is right or wrong.

[wm norris]

thanks to all for the advice...anyone else put the bilstiens on ??

[Blue Blood]

Yes, on my C5, and I did the realignment at the same time. The price of a realignment is much less than a new set of tires. JMHO

[ChAra]

Shocks CAN change the alignment.

The gas charged shocks have a certain resistance against compression which do affect the ride height. If you try to compress a shock absorber, you will notice that you need to apply a certain amount of force (quite a lot actually) to make it compress and to keep it compressed. If you release it then the shock will immediately stretch out again. This force will press against the chassis and the lower A-arm and consequently help the leaf spring to heighten the car. If there is a significant difference in the amount of force needed to keep the shocks compressed between the old and the new shocks, then that difference will affect your cars ride height.

It is not much though, and if you don't care that much about having a proper alignment, you could probably just ignore it. But since you go through the trouble of replacing your shocks with Bilsteins, you probaly do care about handling and alignment. That is why I would recommend a new alignment.

I do have the Bilsteins coupled with a set of VBP racing springs and T1 sway bars (on a C5). It is a great improvement.

[wm norris]

thanks for all the replies. the bilstiens made alot of difference !! rides much better and seems to handle better,especially over the small imperfections in some roads on a curve. and did the alignment.

[jdrake]

Originally Posted by wm norris

thanks for all the replies. the bilstiens made alot of difference !! rides much better and seems to handle better,especially over the small imperfections in some roads on a curve. and did the alignment.

Forgive the newbie question from someone looking to buy, but I thought the magnetic fluid dampened shocks on the C6 Z06 were really good and revolutionary. Now I am reading that traditional gas bilsteins are an improvement. How so?

[No Doubt]

Magnetic Selective Ride Control is not offered on the Z06, but will be standard on the ZR1.