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MG MGF Technical - Bilstein Shock absorber

I have bought a set of Bilstein from Ebay.

Q1 - are they all the same or is there a front and a back pair?

Q2 - but it turns out that allen key way in the top of the damper shaft on two of the units is knackered. So would it be safe to upgrade say just the rear units?

Cheers
Steve
Steve Ratledge

Q1 - Yes same all round

Q2 - Yes absolutely safe but make sure you have them set at the soft setting, upgraded shocks can cause problems with weld joints if set too hard.
Chris Catchpole

What are the specs of these eBay Bilsteins Steve - what's their history?

If they're dampers specc'd by Techspeed, then you'll find that there is a difference between the front and rear sets (they ought to be coded, so you'll be able to match the pairs).

Not sure what you mean by the key ways? If they're adjustable dampers, then ignore the above sentence!

If non-adjustables, don't fit just the pair, as you'll find you may, through increasing roll stiffness at the rear, induce some rather 'exciting' oversteer characteristics... ;o)
Rob Bell

The Bilsteins are not adjustable. I will look tomorrow for codings/part numbers in the day light. Visually I could not detect any differences. They are the same as the ones on Dieter site. [ http://www.mgfcar.de/shockers/index.htm ]

By key ways Rob I mean the 5mm Allen key "hole" in the centre of the top of the damper shaft. Its used to allow one to tighten the retaining bolt, thus http://www.mgfcar.de/shockers/dsc05476.jpg

Steve
Steve Ratledge

In that case, I wouldn't mix with standard dampers - and the chances are, they will be paired front and rear dampers.

IIRC someone has posted the codes for front and rear, so identifying which is which should be reasonably easy.

Less easy will be sorting out those allen-key bolts...?
Rob Bell

Hi Steve,

I've come across the kaput allen key situation before, solution was to have the hole drilled and a thread cut so a bolt could be tightened into it, which holds it well enough for fitting purposes.

I concur with Rob's comments re stiffening just one end, discovered that while playing with the settings on my adjustables ;o)
Mike Hankin

The shockers are labelled in felt tip pen front & rear.

The "Front" ones are stamped at the base 725-2528.
The "Rear" ones are stamped at the base 725-2530.

They all have a Bilsteins label but only the front ones are readable as F4-BE5-2528-M000.
Steve Ratledge

If someone with Techspeed dampers gets a chance can you have a look and see if you can see any lettering stamped around the base.

Thanks
Steve Ratledge

Putting these numbers in to a search engine turns up this reference http://www.mobeck.com/mt/Bilder/Bilstein/MSP.pdf on page 6 it confirms these as front (BE5-2528) & rear (BE5-2530) for the MGF.

Confirmed on page 16 of this site http://www.quadrantsuspensions.com.au/pdf/Bilstein%20Motorsport.pdf

Steve
Steve Ratledge

Looks as though you're onto a winner there then Steve :o)

Just had a quick peep through the spokes of my wheels - sorry to say I could not see the code number on it. Where is the number stamped?
Rob Bell

Thanks Mike good suggestion. Now back on to Ebay for a Tap & Die set :-)
Steve Ratledge

This thread was discussed between 29/04/2006 and 03/05/2006

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