Tappy

So I just installed some Bilstein B6 shock absorbers in the rear and I’m still deciding whether I like them or not. The front spring and shock absorber are OEM. But from another used ls400. Will probably change that in a bit.

Maybe someone has better tips, but I had a very hard time with aligning the three bolts to go in the holes inside the cabin. I also had a hard time inserting the bottom of the bilstein shocks into the space where the bottom bolt goes through. This is because the rubber on the bilstein are a lot thicker than OEM. I got them in by rubbing some lithium grease on them, using a plastic hammer, articulating the rotor up and down, and having someone else guide the shock absorber into the hole to secure the bolts.

I think it would be a good idea to have another person help you with this job as it is significant harder than the front shocks.

Tappy

Other things about the job. It’s a lot easier to use an impact gun to remove the seven bolts that secure the rear seat back to the car.

The rear package tray or deck tray (idk the name) can be lifted up to give enough space to get a socket wrench into the space to losses up the shock absorber bolts. You need to remove the two black trim clips after removing the seat back and the sub woofer cover. I even unlatched the third brake light just in case.

I replaced the rear sway bar bushing while I was under there. Will also replace the rear differential fluid.

Losiracer2

I've had Bilsteins for a few years now. I like the ride, its much better damped and not floaty anymore. But I don't have new OEM shocks to compare to since they were $225 a piece vs. $115 a piece on RockAuto

Tappy

That’s good to hear. The main reason for me getting Bilstein was the stiffer ride as I think it will help with bumps and ride handling when I carry a fully loaded trunk and rear seat.

Losiracer2

might have sagging rear springs. I know that is an issue on 95-00 LS400s. I played around with the perch adjustments and didn't like the lower perch, it felt way too low when I had people in the back, although they claim it only drops it about 0.6". I'm about to raise my fronts back to the stock perch also, but I'll have to remove the shocks again to do so.

Tappy

Well, I sure hope the springs that I installed are still good. Aligning the shocks to fit into the 3 holes was a PITA. That and also getting the bilstein to fit into the socket hole on the bottom.