bumper lipo/tuck rear shocks question..

E28 technical advice asked and given! Troubleshooting, modifications and more.
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graphite
Posts: 1344
Joined: Feb 12, 2006 12:00 PM
Location: Worcester, MA

Post by graphite »

so i'm tucking my bumpers.. the front was easy and it had a crack in it anyway so i wanted to put the one on there from my old 535i... the front shocks had that liquid in it which was interesting..

for the rear.. has anyone done this? most of the stuff in the archives on roadfly talks about the front.. the ones that mention the rear just say its a gel like material or that its a gell that solidifies when in contact with oxygen.. thats what i have.. it looks like soap shavings.. i've drilled 3 or 4 1/4" holes in it but i still cant compress it.. the fronts compressed really easy when i tapped them with a small steel mallet.. those i could actually push in and pull out by hand once i broke it free.. the rears are a different story...

basically i'm looking for ideas on how to get all that crap out because it only came out where i drilled and poking around in there with a piece of hanger just moves it all around but doesnt seem to be "de-clumping" it.. if anyone has done this and has any ideas for either a) DIY compressing it now that i have holes or b) getting the rest of the crap out so compressing is easier.. please let me know..

i tried sticking a hose up to one hole and spraying through.. but i think that just made it clump more..
Brian in TN
Posts: 4615
Joined: Feb 12, 2006 12:00 PM

Post by Brian in TN »

I compressed a couple of em last year in a trial lipo session. Used a press to make it happen. I test fitted the "lipoded" shocks and didnt care for em and opted for the shadowline version. Be sure to wear safety glasses when compressing them. It shoots out everywhere from the holes.
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[Edit by Brian Da Parts Pimp on [TIME]1108521508[/TIME]]
Marshall
Posts: 396
Joined: Feb 12, 2006 12:00 PM
Location: Black Mtn. NC
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Post by Marshall »

Use a blower nozzle that will fit in one of the holes in the shock and blow the the "stuff" out after loosening it with a wire or other probe. Watch your eyes! This method took me about 5 min. per side to empty the shocks.
Robert in STL
Posts: 196
Joined: Feb 12, 2006 12:00 PM
Location: St Louis, MO

Post by Robert in STL »

I had to disassemble the shock absorbers to extract that stuff. I couldn't get one of 'em open so I cut a larger hole in the side of it and got it out that way. I've heard of some people nudging the car into a tree or wall to squeeze it out..
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John535isMaine/Mass
Posts: 71
Joined: Feb 12, 2006 12:00 PM

Post by John535isMaine/Mass »

[QUOTE="Robert in STL"]I've heard of some people nudging the car into a tree or wall to squeeze it out..[/QUOTE]

I had to do that because one of the bolts holding the rear bumper on was stripped so I couldn't take the thing off. I would only recommend it as a last resort, since I cracked mine while doing it... I've since bumped into one more thing and my bumper is now two pieces. I used pipe clamps for the front shocks, since I didnt have a big enough vice. You might try that on the rears although it would probably be more difficult than the fronts. Good luck.
smackmybutter535i
Posts: 426
Joined: Feb 12, 2006 12:00 PM

Post by smackmybutter535i »

Is there a website on bumper tucking for my 535i.?
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