BILSTEIN E4-WM5-Y547A00 Shock Absorbers Instruction Manual
- June 13, 2024
- BILSTEIN
Table of Contents
BILSTEIN E4-WM5-Y547A00 Shock Absorbers
Product Information
The product is a shock absorber or suspension component manufactured by BILSTEIN. It is designed to improve vehicle suspension and ensure a smoother ride. The shock absorbers are gas-filled and highly pressurized. The product is intended for specific applications as indicated in the application guide.
Installation of BILSTEIN products should be performed by a professional automotive suspension technician using special tools and expert knowledge. When replacing other brands, BILSTEIN shock absorbers or suspension components should always be installed as a set.
Misuse, misapplication, modification, or tampering with any BILSTEIN suspension product voids the warranty and may result in serious bodily injury or death.
Product Usage Instructions
- Ensure you have the necessary special tools and expertise before attempting to install the BILSTEIN product. If in doubt, consult a professional automotive suspension technician.
- Use a chassis hoist to raise the vehicle securely before starting the installation process. Take precautions to prevent the vehicle from slipping, falling, or moving during installation.
- Never place any BILSTEIN shock absorbers in a vise or use a clamp on them. Avoid applying heat near the shock absorbers.
- Do not attempt to open or repair any BILSTEIN product. This is to prevent serious bodily injury or death.
- After installing the BILSTEIN product, check and adjust the suspension caster and camber to comply with the vehicle manufacturer’s specifications.
- Check and/or reset the (load dependent) brake compensator and anti-lock brake system to comply with the vehicle manufacturer’s specifications.
- Check and adjust the headlight aim. If disassembling a coilover type suspension, refer to the vehicle manufacturer’s service manual for proper procedures. Compress the coil spring with a spring compressor to release load before disassembling the upper mount. It is important for the professional automotive suspension technician performing the installation to identify any non-OEM components and/or modifications on the vehicle that may interact with the suspension system. Evaluate these components for potential physical static or dynamic interference or effect on the function of the BILSTEIN product.
INSTRUCTION
IMPORTANT! READ THIS FIRST
Installation of shock absorbers or other suspension components requires
special tools and expert knowledge. Accordingly, installation of all BILSTEIN
products must be performed by a professional automotive suspension technician.
When replacing other brands, BILSTEIN shock absorbers or other suspension
components should always be installed as a set. All BILSTEIN products must
only be used for the specific, intended application as indicated in the
application guide. Any use of any BILSTEIN product other than for its intended
use may result in serious bodily injury or death.
Always use a chassis hoist for the installation of BILSTEIN products and make
certain that the raised vehicle is securely attached to the hoist and/or
supported to prevent the vehicle from slipping, falling, or moving during the
installation process.
If you install any BILSTEIN product without the necessary special tools,
expertise, and chassis hoist, you may subject yourself to the risk of serious
bodily injury or death.
BILSTEIN shock absorbers are gas-filled and are highly pressurized.
- Never place any BILSTEIN shock absorbers in a vise or use a clamp on any BILSTEIN shock absorber.
- Never apply heat near any BILSTEIN shock absorber.
- Never attempt to open or repair any BILSTEIN product, in order to prevent serious bodily injury or death.
Any attempt to misuse, misapply, modify, or tamper with any BILSTEIN
suspension product voids any warranty and may result in serious bodily injury
or death.
While installing any BILSTEIN product.
- Do not use impact tools for loosening or tightening fasteners, because this may destroy the screw threads.
- Self-locking fasteners must only be used once!
- Reuse original equipment components only if they are in good condition, otherwise replace them with new components.
- Never remove the slight film of oil on the shock absorber piston rod and seal.
- All mounting fasteners for shock absorbers and other suspension components must be securely tightened before tension is placed on the suspension system, unless otherwise specified in the manufacturer’s service manual or in this instruction.
After installing any BILSTEIN product
- The suspension caster and camber must be checked and/or adjusted to comply with the vehicle manufacturer’s specifications.
- The (load dependent) brake compensator and the anti-lock brake system must be checked and/or reset to comply with the vehicle manufacturer’s specifications.
- The headlight aim must be checked and adjusted.
CAUTION for COILOVER TYPE SUSPENSIONS
If disassembling a coilover type suspension, refer to the vehicle
manufacturer’s service manual for proper procedures. The coil spring is
preloaded and must be compressed with a spring compressor to release load
before the upper mount is disassembled. Failure to follow the vehicle
manufacturer’s procedures may cause serious injury or death, and may damage
the vehicle.
IMPORTANT
This BILSTEIN product may or may not be compatible with non-BILSTEIN
aftermarket products and/or vehicle modifications. It is the responsibility of
the professional automotive suspension technician performing the installation
to identify any non-OEM components and/or modifications on the vehicle that
may interact with the suspension system. These must be evaluated for any
potential physical static or dynamic interference with and/or effect on the
function of this BILSTEIN product.
- Remove the shock and spring unit from the vehicle following all procedures in the vehicle manufacturer’s service manual. Note the position of the studs in the upper mount relative to the lower T bar mount (important for reassembly).
- Using an appropriate spring compressor, compress the coil spring until it can be rotated freely by hand. Then disassemble the shock and spring unit.
- Refer to Figure 1 to identify which original parts must be re-used.
Parts supplied by Bilstein
-
M12 Washer (x1)
-
M12x1.5 Locknut (x1)
-
Spring seat support (x1)
-
M12x1.75 Flange nut (x2)
-
M12x1.75 Bolt (x2)
Original parts to be reused: -
Upper mount (with isolator and dust cover)
-
Bump stop
-
Coil spring
-
Spring seat
If installing B8 5100 Bilstein shock absorbers, proceed with step D. If installing B6 4600 Bilstein shock absorbers (yellow in color), skip to step E.
- B8 5100 only: Select desired lift height by seating the circlip in the appropriate circlip location. Refer to Figure 2 below. Use appropriate tools to move the circlip. Ensure that the circlip is fully seated in the groove after moving it. You should be able to rotate it manually in the groove. (B6 4600s are not ride height adjustable)
Typical lift heights**
Circlip Location| Any Gas engine|
3.0L Diesel
5| 2.1”| 2.5”
4| 1.75”| 2”
3| 1.25”| 1.5”
2| 0.8”| 1”
1| Stock| 0.5”
** Lift heights indicated are typical. Actual lift height is influenced by which factory suspension the vehicle is equipped with and its condition; optional equipment and accessories on your vehicle, and other vehicle modifications such as replacement coil springs, wheel and tire combinations, etc. Modifying/lifting the suspension to your vehicle may raise its center of gravity and may make it more susceptible to loss of control and/or rollover, which may result in death or serious injury. We strongly recommend that you offset the loss of rollover resistance as much as possible by increasing tire track width, and that you equip the vehicle with a functional roll bar and cage system.
Wear seat belts and shoulder harnesses at all times, and avoid situations where a side rollover may occur.
Refer to Figure 3 for steps E and F.
- Install the spring seat support (3) on to the shock body (with the smaller end up) such that the groove inside the spring seat support fits over the circlip on the shock body. Install the spring seat support in the direction shown only. The circlip must fit completely in the groove inside spring seat support (see detail). Improper installation will cause permanent damage to the shock!
- Install the original spring seat (9) on to the shock and over the spring seat support (3) in the direction shown only.
Refer to Figure 4 for steps G through K.
- Fit the bump stop (7) over the piston rod, leaving it flush with the top of the chrome length.
- Using an appropriate spring compressor, compress the coil spring (8) and install it on the shock absorber. Align the lower coil end with end of the ramp on the spring seat (9).
- Install the upper mount (6) over the piston rod end and on to the top of the coil spring. Rotate upper mount so that its studs are in their original position relative to the lower T bar mount (as noted in step A). Align the upper coil end of the coil spring with the rubber isolator in the upper mount.
- Install the M12 Washer (1) and the M12x1.5 locknut (2) and tighten to 45 N·m (34 lb·ft). Use an 8mm wrench to prevent the piston rod from rotating while torqueing the locknut.
DO NOT USE AN IMPACT WRENCH TO TIGHTEN THE LOCKNUT!
-
Release the spring compressor while ensuring that the ends of the coil spring remain aligned with the spring seat (8) and upper mount (6).
-
Apply a high strength, permanent thread locking compound to the bolt thread as shown below
-
Install the assembly on to the vehicle and tighten all fasteners to the vehicle manufacturer’s specifications. Install the supplied lower T bar bolts down through the T bar and control arm. Then install the supplied flange lock nuts on to the T bar bolts and tighten the lock nuts to 90 N·m (66 lb·ft). Do not re-use the original lock nuts.
-
Check wheel alignment. If necessary, adjust to the vehicle manufacturer’s specifications. This completes the installation.