Hello Everyone,

I got these shocks from my friend (@CokeBottleKid) that used to work at Bilstein and they were custom tuned for my '71 Duster. I'm finally getting around to hacking up the front suspension and due to the metric size of the heims, I cannot seem to locate any spacers to work with on the mock up. Looking to get into something near a 7/16" bolt and I'll need 16 total. Does anybody have any thoughts or ideas on where I can locate such a thing?

thanks,
jon

I would perhaps go to the next step and figure out what metric size you need and stick to that. Someone should make metric parts of these that will fit and work for the long haul.



So there are two options here, that I can see.

7/16" may be an odd-ball size, but the links provided may get you on the hunt. The first link is intended to fit -into- the spherical bearing (that's not technically a heim or rod end). It is easier to install, offers more misalignment (which you may or may not need) and will effectively reduce the bolt requirement down to something like a 3/8". Which is likely adequate for this application.

http://www.polyperformance.com/High-Misalignment-Spacers


Option 2 is more of a flare-fit (for lack of a better term) to the spherical bearing, it offers less misalignment, it's a little more cumbersome to install, but it allows you to keep a slightly larger bolt. You will want the spacer to fit into the bearing like a flare, to keep the bolt and bearing concentric.

http://www.polyperformance.com/Misalignment-Spacers

http://www.ballisticfabrication.com/High-Misalignment-_c_81-2.html


The Poly Performance link is generally playing with bigger parts for off-road use. 1/2"+. So you may need to search out a more car-based, or even UTV-based site for smaller parts.

As mentioned, if it's metric, stay metric. Do not try to make SAE/Imperial parts work without at least having the surface touching the bearing be metric.

another option, if i read the op's need correctly in that spacers were needed to align/center the shock in it's mounting bracket, is to have a buddy [or shop] that has a lathe, whip up a few spacers of ??? length with a ? size hole in them. it's a super simple item to fab, and the only real critical dimension is the length. the hole size can be slightly oversize [regular drill instead of metric] and it won't hurt a thing once tightened. you may even find the correct spacers in places such as grainger's . to keep things in place during installation, simply tie the shock and spacers together with simple sewing thread. if , however, you are looking for a misalignment bearing with the spacers already attached or just misalignment spacers, then the above suggestions may be the better course of action.

Have Bilstein USA get you the right bearing assembly's and just swap out the hole thing.

This is the best and probably easiest solution. A simple snap ring and you're good to go.

If they don't have a bearing check on McMaster.com for one.

AFCO can help too. Mic the hole first.