Derek
thanks for giving me Scott MacDonalds info. There seems to be a lot of confusion on the correct way to install the droplinks. I hope to get this resolved by tomorrow and I've already sent off another email to Bilstein to get clarification. I'll send you a pic with the correct installation once I have it done. In the meantime, you should contact Bilstein to get the newer style bent droplinks which they will probably send to you for free.
Dave

 

Derek
this is a response from Wes Welch (Poway) who consulted with Lou Laurenza
this is actually a picture of the LEFT side so the only difference would be the position of the droplink on the sway bar.

"The upper nut should be facing rearward and the lower nut inboard.

If this is a depiction of the right side (passenger) looking outboard, then it is correct. It lacks a third (Z) axis point of reference."

this is actually a picture of the LEFT side so the only difference would be the position of the droplink on the sway bar. According to Lou Laurenza, the blue ball should be closest to the front of the car as well as the to the outboard side. I am having my drops reinstalled today and will post pics
DK

 

qft

 

Sorry for hijack .Will coilovers give me a softer ride than my lowering springs ????

 

i personally have no idea. I believe TTsurgeon has experience with both coilovers and springs so you may want to PM him.

 

in my experience the lowering springs mated to low mileage stock bilstein struts gave 95% of the ride of the coilovers. The main advantage of the coilovers vs lowering springs is the adjustable height.

 

Guys, please understand that I'm not saying that this is how drop links should be instal .Base on my personal observation and the fact that right now I'm using stock factory sway in front and height of my car is set at 26". I could only achieve necessary clearance for drop links by installing them as in the picture below- top part of the link is facing the front of the car. lower part is attached on the inside of the sway- right front passenger side

 

ok
just got back from having the droplinks reinstalled. this is the left side front coilover and this is the recommended installation by Bilstein. I'll take additional pics if anyone finds it necessary. I mostly drove on the freeway so I can't do a full review. However, with the droplinks in the correct position, I've noticed that all the clunks that have plagued my car for the last 2 years seem to be gone. Hope this helps fellow 6speeders.
I'd like to thank Wes Welch and Scott MacDonald from Bilstein in helping to trouble shoot the situation as well as drkbrent for putting me in touch with them. My faith in Bilstein is now fully restored.
Dave
<a href="http://s1120.photobucket.com/albums/l487/dk10438/?action=view&amp;current=correct.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1120.photobucket.com/albums/l487/dk10438/correct.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>

 

so let me get this straight...Bilstein makes you buy at coil at full price after it shears off after a experienced installer who everyone loves installs it....then you luckily found someone to give you a sympathetic ear at Bilstein and after 1 week of internet bashing, you get everything paid for including the morning coffee and we are supposed to have faith because you got lucky?...haha...OP, we both know you will never buy another Bilstein product ever again...

If many experienced installers cannot figure out how to install it correctly due to poor instructions that is a Bilstein problem.

And Derek and Daves anecdotal warranty good faith stories after weeks to months of being treated injustly along with the dozens who have been screwed out of legitimate warranty issues doesnt all of a sudden make it right.

I love it how two of the posters who have 5+ pages of complaints mysteriously get "covered" and now have been flipped but we all know neither one of these guys have faith in Bilstein.

Worst POS company I still have ever dealt with...where is that number to Scott MacDonald, maybe he will send me a new PASM wire that hasnt been cut along with a Starbucks coffee...

 

let's just put it this way. IMO, Bilstein was not responsible for choosing the installer and that turned out to be the root cause. Incorrect droplink install, which BTW, I have seen every possible combination on various threads was the culprit. I was always told by the installer that coilovers were inherently noisy, not true! I'm talking about sounds like the suspension is ready to explode when exiting the driveway and I accepted this as dogma.

Now that the car has the links on correctly, the car is once again quiet and I'm satisfied. I think that the problem at Bilstein may be a single woman individual who does not take warranty work and customer service seriously. The techs that I spoke to and Scott were very helpful. I'd buy another Bilstein product but I'd choose the installer more carefully. JMHO

 

OP, if you are now good with Bilstein and it is now "known" it was installer error, then why did Bilstein pay for the new coil and your rental car.??

Why didnt you have your installer, which we all know who it is, pay for a new coil since "he" was the problem and at fault.??

If what you say is true, you let a company(Bilstein) pay for a new coil, get you a rental car when it wasnt their fault...you seem like a person who is interested in justice and truth rather than be upset about the actual cost of the coil am I right????

When you thought it was Bilstein you bashed them to no end on here but now when you find out it was installer error not a peep about placing blame where it should be placed?...hmmm...smelling fish here...

Ok, officially done with this thread...in the end, glad Bilstein took care of OP.

 

Gene opened this thread at my request so that it could be more constructive so I think we should keep it that way.

The car drives fine now and I am in the process of being made whole so I'm satisfied. The only reason I reposted is because I think many on this board are suffering from the same problem as me, incorrectly installed droplinks. I had a prior poll on clunks and damptronics. 40% had clunks and I'm convinced that this is one of if not the the sole cause of these annoying pops and spring sounds when exiting the driveway. Anyway, I'm done with this thread too. PM if you have specific questions.
Dave

 

Glad you are happy ,but please , please take care of the PASM wire that is so loos and simply in the wrong place.This wire is the most fragile part of coilover and I believe you don't wont anything to happen to it.
If you don't wont to have any clanks noises ,make sure your coilover is preloud before installation.Many people set them way to low loosing completely preloud of coilover.