I have the driveshaft out of the 240D with a new center support bearing on and flexdisks ready to go back on this morning.

I have four Bilsteins I want to try to put on the car today as well. My question is- is it necessary to support the lower control arm (front and rear) when you are pulling/installing shocks. The shop manual seems to indicate this but it would make life much easier if I didn't (because I have a two-post lift!). However- I don't want to end up with a spring through my chest....

Rick

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80 300SD (129k mi) 82 240D stick (193k mi)77 240D auto - stick to be (153k mi) 85 380SL (145k mi) 89 BMW 535i 82 Diesel Rabbit Pickup (374k mi) 91 Jetta IDI Diesel (155k mi) 81 VW Rabbit Convertible Diesel 70 Triumph Spitfire Mk III (63kmi)66 Triumph TR4a IRS (90k mi)67 Ford F-100 (??)

I have never done shocks on a 2 post lift, have always done them with the car on the ground, or at least on ramps.

With the car in the air, you might want to support the rear suspension. The front suspension should be fully captured between the upper and lower control arms.

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Mike Tangas
'73 280SEL 4.5 (9/72)- RIP
Only 8,173 units built from 5/71 thru 11/72

'02 CLK320 Cabriolet - wifey's mid-life crisis

2012 VW Jetta Sportwagon TDI...at least its a diesel

Non illegitemae carborundum.

I put the shocks on- what a difference a new set of Bilsteins makes over a ten year old set of Sears' finest. For safety's sake I did stick a jack under each lower arm in turn. I sincerely doubt that that was the way the jock at Sears did it the last time, though...
Rick

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80 300SD (129k mi) 82 240D stick (193k mi)77 240D auto - stick to be (153k mi) 85 380SL (145k mi) 89 BMW 535i 82 Diesel Rabbit Pickup (374k mi) 91 Jetta IDI Diesel (155k mi) 81 VW Rabbit Convertible Diesel 70 Triumph Spitfire Mk III (63kmi)66 Triumph TR4a IRS (90k mi)67 Ford F-100 (??)