I changed my strut bushings today. When I went to put new Bilstiens shocks on the rear the hole is off about a quarter inch (shock too long in compressed state). Is this normal? What is the correct proceedure for putting shocks on. Top bolt first, then bottom? What is the trick to get it to line up?

I always bolt up the top first and then work the bottom.

Maybe I don't understand your dilema... I assume you have the car jacked up and the wheels are hanging (for lack of a better term).

This would mean that you should be installing the shock in a somewhat extended state. However, you are saying the shock is too long when fully compressed... then maybe you have the wrong shock.

Can you take one of your old shock and one of the new shocks, fully compress them and compare their lengths. I think they should be pretty close.

Good luck

Yes the car is jacked up on stands with the rear wheels hanging. Which should mean it would be the extended length for the shock. I will recheck with the old ones today.

Keep in mind, those are gas charged, and as such will fully extend without pressure to compress them. You may need to apply some pressure to raise the shock a bit to get it lined up and installed.

Thanks guys. That is just what I did, muscle it on. I guess I thought it would line up better and be easier to get on. Much less squeeking back there since I now have new strut bushings. The top of each of the old ones were completely shot.