Neil220 Posted September 8, 2022 Share Posted September 8, 2022 I'm planning on replacing these on my 1996 K series 1.6 Supersport.It has Bilstein shock absorbers. Does anyone have the dimensions of the bush required please?I'm assuming front and rear, top and bottom are all the same so I need to buy 8?Lastly, can they be installed in a vice, or with a hammer or is a hydraulic press required? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SM25T Posted September 8, 2022 Share Posted September 8, 2022 Redline will have them all. Chris wasn't well yesterday, but should be back today Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Neil220 Posted September 8, 2022 Author Share Posted September 8, 2022 Thanks, when you say he will have them all do you mean they are different front/back top/bottom?Do you have the dimensions and can they be installed without a press? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
simon_h Posted September 8, 2022 Share Posted September 8, 2022 Saying he will have them might be wrong unless things have changed. I had a set from a 96 car to be rebuilt a few years ago and one of the bushes was not available anymore even direct from bilstein. They are different top to bottom on the front at least I seem to remember and I think you'd struggle without a press unless you've got a very big vice to press them in. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Neil220 Posted September 8, 2022 Author Share Posted September 8, 2022 #4Many thanks for the useful information! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
john g Posted September 9, 2022 Share Posted September 9, 2022 Neil, just to update Simons thread.......I had my 1996 live axle Bilsteins rebuilt by Bilsteins early this year, complete with new bushes, so Bilsteins may now have stock. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Neil220 Posted September 10, 2022 Author Share Posted September 10, 2022 John,Many thanks, I'll get in contact. I get the impression that there was some change to the chassis in 1996 that may or may not impact on what shock absorbers were used and how they are mounted, mine was built early 1996 and first registered in May, de Dion, does anyone know? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leadership Team SLR No.77 Posted September 11, 2022 Leadership Team Share Posted September 11, 2022 Neil, you're likely aware of much if this but if not, the chassis changed 'for 1996. If yours was early '96 a quick examination of the front suspension will show whether it's pre or post the change ... pre '96 front suspension uses a single long bolt to combine the mounting of the upper wishbone rear leg and shock absorber eye, post '96 chassis has separate bolts with the shock absorber eye bolt mounted slightly higher. Post '96 front shock absorbers are approximately 1" longer.Post '96 chassis also gained a tunnel handbrake but race chassis kept the under-dash handbrake for a further couple of years, therefore you need to be careful using the handbrake position as indicative of the chassis type. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bahf Posted September 12, 2022 Share Posted September 12, 2022 I recommend you get the bushes changed by Bilstein. I managed it on a press but only after Bilstein sent me the drawing of the mandrel they use which I made to enable the fitting. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Neil220 Posted September 13, 2022 Author Share Posted September 13, 2022 #9Thanks for your advice, someone earlier also implied it wasn't an easy job so seems I wouldn't manage it in my medium/small vice.Luckily they are located in Wellingborough, only ½ hour from me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Neil220 Posted September 13, 2022 Author Share Posted September 13, 2022 #9Thanks for your advice, someone earlier also implied it wasn't an easy job so seems I wouldn't manage it in my medium/small vice.Luckily they are located in Wellingborough, only ½ hour from me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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