2002 -- how do you access the upper nut on rear shock?

[HoustonC4S]

Greetings all,

I am about to have a shop install a set of Bilstein HD's on

my 2002 C4S. It looks to me as though the hard part could

be finding access to the upper mounting nuts for the rear

shocks.

I presume you do that from inside, but how do the trim

pieces and carpet come off?

Just yank on 'em?

I'd like to give the guys a clue before they get into it.

(And this is a friend of mine who knows what he is

doing, he just hasn't done one of these particular

cars before. )

I appreciate your time and attention.

Best,

- Mark

[teeerex]

Greetings all,

I am about to have a shop install a set of Bilstein HD's on

my 2002 C4S. It looks to me as though the hard part could

be finding access to the upper mounting nuts for the rear

shocks.

I presume you do that from inside, but how do the trim

pieces and carpet come off?

Just yank on 'em?

I'd like to give the guys a clue before they get into it.

(And this is a friend of mine who knows what he is

doing, he just hasn't done one of these particular

cars before. )

I appreciate your time and attention.

Best,

- Mark

Side trims come off after removing some hidden screws - devious one is right by the seat belt guide - took me ages to find that one. Trim them pops off with a good yank (also uses friction holds). You'll also need to remove all the heavy sound deadining foam from around that rear suspection mount area - rear carpet 'may' need to come forward. You also 'may' need to remove the rear selt belt roll holder to get to the mount - not sure. I've totally stripped the back of my 996 from the front seats back - so happy to post a pic of it if that is of any use to you - this should show the mount. It's a narrow body mind you, but should give you some ideas..

For those interested - all that carpet and trim weights in at 50Kg ... :-o

Richard.

[wrljet]

Side trims come off after removing some hidden screws - devious one is right by the seat belt guide - took me ages to find that one. Trim them pops off with a good yank (also uses friction holds). You'll also need to remove all the heavy sound deadining foam from around that rear suspection mount area - rear carpet 'may' need to come forward. You also 'may' need to remove the rear selt belt roll holder to get to the mount - not sure. I've totally stripped the back of my 996 from the front seats back - so happy to post a pic of it if that is of any use to you - this should show the mount. It's a narrow body mind you, but should give you some ideas..

For those interested - all that carpet and trim weights in at 50Kg ... :-o

Richard.

Any way to leave the seats out and have it look decent?

Anything from a GT3 that'll work?

Bill

[teeerex]

Side trims come off after removing some hidden screws - devious one is right by the seat belt guide - took me ages to find that one. Trim them pops off with a good yank (also uses friction holds). You'll also need to remove all the heavy sound deadining foam from around that rear suspection mount area - rear carpet 'may' need to come forward. You also 'may' need to remove the rear selt belt roll holder to get to the mount - not sure. I've totally stripped the back of my 996 from the front seats back - so happy to post a pic of it if that is of any use to you - this should show the mount. It's a narrow body mind you, but should give you some ideas..

For those interested - all that carpet and trim weights in at 50Kg ... :-o

Richard.

Any way to leave the seats out and have it look decent?

Anything from a GT3 that'll work?

Bill

Hi - don't really care what it looks like - I sit in the front ! :D

The sound, oh the sound - even with a crash helmet on, that flat 6 sounds like a GT3 Cup car when she hits the sweet spot ... and that's with a standard exhaust.

Could get the 'light weight' GT3 carpet (but have you seen the price!) :eek: but it'll only add weight. My car is 99.5% track only, so I've done away with all the creature comforts ... tempted to take out the a/c but think that may be pushing the borderline ...

Pics as promised ...

[

[HoustonC4S]

Thank you all for your help.

Man - o - man! I sure hope it's worth it!

Bilsteins have really helped every car and

truck I have had for a long time now so

I hope this is another one.

So, again, thank you.

Best,

- Mark

[dennism]

Has anyone done a rear shock on a 996 Cab? Is it any different than the process described for the coupe? I am hoping I don't have to mess around with the softop too much

I have to replace a leaking shock! Interestingly although the shock has leaked badly, it still seems to work ok as it damps the car well when I push down on it.

Dennis

[perryinva]

What happened to the paint in all those joints? It's not rust cause I can see it's joint sealer?

[Loren]

What happened to the paint in all those joints? It's not rust cause I can see it's joint sealer?

Joint sealer - it shows differently on different paint colors.

[RFM]

dennism

Place the convertible in service possition and remove the trim/carpet, in the insulator foam left and right under the trim are two pre-cut pieces, remove them and the shock top fixation comes visible.

[dennism]

dennism

Place the convertible in service possition and remove the trim/carpet, in the insulator foam left and right under the trim are two pre-cut pieces, remove them and the shock top fixation comes visible.

Is the service position to leave the roof up and unclip the two cable that hold the back down and then swing the back of the roof up and forward?

[RFM]

dennism

This is exactly the service possition.