I took out the SLS this weekend - got a question...

[shrike071]

'93 525iT

Got sick of the skateboard-like ride and ordered the Bavarian Imports kit with the Bilstiens, and got around to installing them this weekend. The whole project took me 3 hours and was well, well worth the effort. The only question I have for the others that did the swap is this: There was a bushing that came with the shocks that according to the instructions, "was not present on the standard". This bushing sat directly below the upper strut mount, and is about 1/2 inch tall. To me, it looks like it would have made the rear-end sit a little higher - which would make sense because of the extra weight of the wagon.

Well, I left them off, but kept them in the toolbox just in-case I decided to put em back in. I will rarely, if ever have anyone in the back seat. As such - the car appears to sit level. So that begs the question - what is the bushing for?

(edit: removed other stuff to start a new post)

[632 Regal]

that bushing or sleeve or whatever you want to call it is for different size strut mounts, some were small and some were larger hole, the bushing makes it possible to use the same shitty shock for more applications.

[brick8]

I also have a 1992 525it with the self-leveling suspension. It seems to function well. Just curious, what do you mean by "skateboard-like ride"? Was your sls leaking fluid or you just didn't like it? I am not about having because of the unnecessary complexity and likelihood that it will eventually break, so I plan on replacing it eventually, but not until it starts to leak. However, if there is a significant handling improvement I might consider replacement sooner rather than later.

[shrike071]

what do you mean by "skateboard-like ride"? Was your sls leaking fluid or you just didn't like it?

The rear-end was completely locked-up. The driver's side shock was leaking fluid and it appeared that the only suspension the rear-end was offering was from the tires. Despite what Regal said, I found the 'sport' shocks and springs were a huge improvement. The car handles great and is back to being a pleasure to drive. To each their own.

Don't be intimidated by the install. If you order the kit from B.I., it won't come with a stitch of instructions on how to actually assemble the struts - but looking at a Bentley manual, you can easily figure it out (minus the bushing question that started this post!) My only hangup was that the pass. strut was completely stuck to the lower mount and I had to use a torch to heat it up and bash it with a 5-pound sledge to get it loose.

[attack eagle]

did you disable the SLS message? or does that kit leave the car close enough to stock that it doesn't get triggered?

I know where mine sits in the rear it would throw the message all the time after driving for a little while.

[shrike071]

did you disable the SLS message? or does that kit leave the car close enough to stock that it doesn't get triggered?

I was planning on following the directions posted on this board to disable the message, but so far, I have not had to. The kit comes with a bushing that simply connects the supply line to the return line, but no instructions on how to disable the message. I suspect it is because the car sits pretty level with just me in it and once I have a load, it'll pop up.

[attack eagle]

or you get on one of the "roller coaster roads".

[Anthony (M5 in Calgary)]

The rear-end was completely locked-up. The driver's side shock was leaking fluid and it appeared that the only suspension the rear-end was offering was from the tires. Despite what Regal said, I found the 'sport' shocks and springs were a huge improvement. The car handles great and is back to being a pleasure to drive. To each their own.

Don't be intimidated by the install. If you order the kit from B.I., it won't come with a stitch of instructions on how to actually assemble the struts - but looking at a Bentley manual, you can easily figure it out (minus the bushing question that started this post!) My only hangup was that the pass. strut was completely stuck to the lower mount and I had to use a torch to heat it up and bash it with a 5-pound sledge to get it loose.

Could have just changed the accumulators. I did mine recently and the skateboard like ride disappeared. Likely the shock would have stopped leaking as well. For my purposes, leaving the SLS on the car was the way to go. YMMV.

[OneBeLow]

where did you get the SLS delete from?

[shrike071]

I got the kit from Bav. Auto. It came with BMW-springs (complete with the BMW part sticker), shocks, mounts, nuts and bolts and gaskets. Exceptional kit for the price.