Cobra Bilsteins Step by Step w/Pics

IceMans Revenge

Registered
Well all, today was shock day. If you decide to go with the 2003 Cobra Bilsteins like I did, make sure you get the CPE- Coupe ones..they are less stiff than the CVT- Convertible ones. The coupe ones ride beautifully and handle better than the OEM.

You'll need to remove the metal sleeve underneath the rubber Bilstein mount(thanks to Chris for "exactly" pointing the sleeve out to me). First step is to remove the rubber mount from the metal sleeve. Wedge a thin flathead in between the rubber and sleeve and then pry the rubber upwards with a shorty flathead. There is a gooey glue at the bottom that comes right off.
http://pstr-m05.ygpweb.aol.com/data3/00F/62/52/F6/B5/r1L81+eRszaAB6fqqTUdhyKcvMyly5QX0060.jpg

Second, take an ice pick...or similar long metal object and angle it in between the sleeve and thread. A few hard hits with a mallot takes it right off(the first one took me 45 minutes to do because I was trying to pry it apart from the center..you don't need to be that gingerly with it...the second one literally took me 45 seconds).
http://pstr-m05.ygpweb.aol.com/data3/00E/3E/C8/DF/4F/yvIzwv3fDES4aD5NqQ7xZi9Z2goJjT-e0280.jpg
http://pstr-m05.ygpweb.aol.com/data3/008/78/DB/9B/3E/lbApxM9rHZfIbsqx0UmDVnzG08QdGDjR0280.jpg

Third, Open up the trunk and pull back the liner on both sides to expose the shock mounts. Remove the three nuts- top nut is a 3/4 and the side nuts are 1/2 or 13mm. {notice the destroyed shock mount and rubber in my trunk..:)}
http://pstr-m05.ygpweb.aol.com/data3/00E/09/16/A1/E9/-YolVYyBKI34cCF-eeNEJhwrEEF92ivo0280.jpg
http://pstr-m05.ygpweb.aol.com/data3/00F/63/5A/C2/4B/ioyTdsRS-IdGoagTWGm3tsYPRjsi0NyI0280.jpg

The top:
http://pstr-m04.ygpweb.aol.com/data3/00C/73/E2/CE/EB/+rhwHrL5+Hx5UZWG3Xe4tMNOE3690L+S0280.jpg

Fourth, Jack the car up and remove wheel. The bolt that needs to come off on the bottom is a 3/4 with a 13/16 nut on the back.
http://pstr-m04.ygpweb.aol.com/data3/006/43/47/7A/BD/Qakgdt8a-NZLZfSov8He3dAgxet0qFBN0280.jpg
Pull the old shock out. But don't discard it just yet! Use a bench vice or plumbers vice and hold down the washer above the shock mount..there are two flat grooves right on the washer. Remove the 3/4 inch nut on top and remove the washer.
http://pstr-m04.ygpweb.aol.com/data3/00F/0C/98/81/D4/adwV01w1DaoFcnPR24r-iiUrilFlwh6l0280.jpg

Built Ford tough:
http://pstr-m04.ygpweb.aol.com/data3/006/50/B0/AD/EF/op8LS3pW9GZSETpeusbaowvfJVRTR+Im0280.jpg
New and Old:
http://pstr-m05.ygpweb.aol.com/data3/00F/03/5A/84/DE/ln9D7mMDjBmN6ryINyk+B+NVUNa5zLuQ0280.jpg
http://pstr-m05.ygpweb.aol.com/data3/003/24/ED/B8/A3/EXffxMDYD+SuBpX8cQSfwy+mQqFe4wB-0280.jpg

Fifth, Put the new Cobra Bilstein and shock mount into the three holes in the trunk. You'll need to physically compress the Bilstein slightly for the bolt to fit through the bottom shock mount.
http://pstr-m05.ygpweb.aol.com/data3/005/01/E4/EF/41/Tbc6WcEbbg6DWuaUahYZr5hXd0pKy4z90280.jpg
http://pstr-m05.ygpweb.aol.com/data3/005/7A/80/C7/CA/kxWuMHcHyRQLt7QpZgj3EHEK7xJv1RLt0280.jpg

Sixth, replace the two 1/2 nuts on the shock mount(inside the trunk). The thread on the Cobra Bilstein is smaller than OEM and requires a 10mm nut. Don't forget to replace the washer taken off the original shock. You might need to use an 11/16 wrench to fasten the nut if your socket driver is not long enough to accomidate the shock's thread.

Replace wheel and repeat.
Drive around and enjoy! =D

Found another use for rims today:
http://pstr-m05.ygpweb.aol.com/data3/005/22/DA/A4/B4/X4EoKcjyH40rEoxWJ2TAlhy3bqyC5T0l0280.jpg
http://pstr-m04.ygpweb.aol.com/data3/00F/77/6F/83/F4/9Sn82i9PWCTETkC2kGH2qDJpd15qmYJa0060.jpg
 
RE: Cobra Bilsteins Step by Step w/Pics

I did a couple things different.

I didn't take the wheel off, I drove it up on ramps and did it from below. Not easier or harder, just different, and I am lazy.

When I took my old shocks off, I didn't separate them from the mount, I just dropped it out as an assembly. I reassembled using the new hardware in the parts bag the mounts came with, didn't need the old washer.

Good write up.... alwasy good to share picts.

sp
 
RE: Cobra Bilsteins Step by Step w/Pics

When i did my shock mounts, i didn't take the wheel off the car either. And I'm almost 100% sure that that top bolt is metric. I think it's an 18 mm. I remember that i had to go buy a wrench for it, since i didn't have a deep enough socket.
 
RE: Cobra Bilsteins Step by Step w/Pics

Awesome write up with excellent pics. Ditto on the not removing the wheel when I did mine. I didnt even drive mine onto ramps; just a jack and stands for me thanks.

EDIT:What kind of filter is on your camera to make the light four point like that? Is that a digital?
 
RE: Cobra Bilsteins Step by Step w/Pics

I was just about to ask about the camera myself. THe color is so vivid every thing is so sharp. I've been stuck with disposable cameras for far too long...
 
RE: Cobra Bilsteins Step by Step w/Pics

Thanks for the kind words guys..hopefully this will help someone out who is leery of attempting it themself...doing it yourself is truly priceless.

Pete I bought them from FordPartsNetwork for $66.99 a piece. 5 Star Ford may actually have them a bit cheaper.

One other note..the 10mm nut for the top of the shock is a 10mm 1/5 thread.

Dave, I definately used a 3/4 inch socket. It fit perfect. I remember because it's the only socket I have that is THAT long...I use it on my lugs. I had to use a regular 11/16 wrench to tighten the new bolt because I had no sockets for it that were that long.

Guys, as far as the camera it's a Sony Cybershot model DCS-30. I borrowed it from Marcus...aka Noddy from the board. If I'm not mistaken it's a fairly inexpensive..slightly older model digital camera. However, I've been getting more and more impressed with the picture quality...not a big fan of digi cameras. Marcus let me keep it over the weekend so I'm going to go out tonight and crank it up to the highest, or second to highest, setting and see if I can get some really nice pics of the paint.

Believe it or not those pics were taken with the second to lowest setting on the cam. If you look in my "SEXY PICS" post in the Glove Box..all the first pics I posted were with the cameras lowest resolution setting. If you scroll down in the thread I took some pics of the interior the other night with the second to highest resolution setting. Remember, those pics were taken at night, yet they are particularly sharp and clean. Hope that helps.
http://pstr-m04.ygpweb.aol.com/data3/00F/77/6F/83/F4/9Sn82i9PWCTETkC2kGH2qDJpd15qmYJa0060.jpg
 
RE: Cobra Bilsteins Step by Step w/Pics

Very nice write up. Easy to understand. I'd give it a 9.6. Well, there's another project for the family repairman to do -- "Honey, you have another mechanical project ahead of you." "I'll supervise.":7
 
RE: Cobra Bilsteins Step by Step w/Pics

When you took of the sleeve how much play was there when put into the new mount?

I drilled my mounts and left the sleeve and they have held up fine since I did this 6 months ago.
 
RE: Cobra Bilsteins Step by Step w/Pics

Good point!! I just got these shocks and brought them to work to prep them for installation. I removed the sleeve and tried the new mount on the shock and there was slop between the mount and shock stem. I think I will reinstall the sleeve and drill the mount for a closer fit.
phil
 
RE: Cobra Bilsteins Step by Step w/Pics

Great job and better pics !! BTW guys, don't forget to turn off your air ride switch in the trunk BEFORE you jack up the car!!
 
RE: Cobra Bilsteins Step by Step w/Pics

I did the install on these shocks about a month ago. Instead of drilling the mount or removing the sleeve, I reduced the diameter of the sleeve using a die grinder and hardrolls. I kept rolling the shock on the workbench, taking material off the sleeve until it fit snugly into the mount. I don't own a drill press, and drilling the mount by hand didn't look appealing to me. The oversize drill bit was going to cost more than the hardrolls did.

I guess there's always more than 1 way to skin a cat.
 
RE: Cobra Bilsteins Step by Step w/Pics

Yes, did I forget to mention to turn off the air ride? doh! lol

Guys there is ZERO play once they are secured in the mounts and the top bolt is fastened. Physics gentlemen...physics.

(Plus the thread does not go all the way down...once you get the sleeve off there is smooth metal..there is maybe an 1/8-1/4 inch play once you slide it in...but once secure TO THE VEHICLE the play is eliminated).
 
RE: Cobra Bilsteins Step by Step w/Pics

2R3Z-18125-AA 03 Cobra Coupe Bilstein rear shock $ 66.99 ea / List $ 100

2R3Z-18125-BA 03 Cobra Vert Bilstein rear shock $ 66.99 ea / List $ 100


From Ford parts network. If you do a search on the other site there are tons of posts about these. Looks like puliing the sleave will work but I think it results in too much play. Sure it won't move when you bolt it down but it needs the side support.

I only paid 27 each but that was when they first came out. After 8 months and 5000 miles or so I'm still very happy with them.
 
Back
Top