New 325IX Owner...here's a list of things I'll be doing..

[Sean]

Got the Bilstein's all done, but my glad nuts are BAAADDD.

Any suggestions here? Just torch, PB Blaster and lots of effort???

The one I have pictured is the worst one - you can actually see the threads! This is after hitting it with a wire brush... Suggestions or will this whole housing need replacing? I had considered having something machined and welded in though...




My other strut looks a lot like TD's left glad nut - but it's pretty bad too. I haven't gotten either to budge...

Man... my e32 and e30 were easy to do this on!

[Sean]

How about getting those bilsteins apart?

[Driftin]

For the gland nuts, I used the torch method, liquid wrench, and what finally did it for was the hammer. I set the gland nut area sideways on a jackstand (round support) and hammered away on the housing while rotating the housing. It broke up the rust bond, and the the gland nuts came right out.

[Sean]

Sean, are you referring to the gland nut? Mine were rusted sealed, it took a lot of pb blaster and finally I put a torch to it, the heat loosened them up but it was some serious work..fucking pain in the ass..they looked like this after I took them off.


Sent from my GS4 Active

YUP! I'll need to find a torch...haha

[fresh_TD]

Sean, are you referring to the gland nut? Mine were rusted sealed, it took a lot of pb blaster and finally I put a torch to it, the heat loosened them up but it was some serious work..fucking pain in the ass..they looked like this after I took them off.


Sent from my GS4 Active

[Sean]

I did cut the bump stops down. If I recall, you hottest pop the bottom open, I used a chisel, and the shaft and bump stops were exposed, I used a razor to cut the bumpstop, carefully not to scratch the shaft. Sounds tough until you get the first one popped open, then you'll realize it's pretty easy.

So, that's what I thought too. One is done, and I still cannot get the other open.

How much did you scratch up the housing? I'm trying my best to not damage it too bad, but I only see it possible to get the housing off by hitting the crap out of it with the chisel - otherwise, it's not budging!

Also, I'll add a picture later. But, any suggestions on what to do when the shock retainer is rusted all to hell? hahah

[nando]

Cut 1" off

[fresh_TD]

I did cut the bump stops down. If I recall, you hottest pop the bottom open, I used a chisel, and the shaft and bump stops were exposed, I used a razor to cut the bumpstop, carefully not to scratch the shaft. Sounds tough until you get the first one popped open, then you'll realize it's pretty easy.

How much did you cut off the bump stops?

Sent from my GS4 Active

[Driftin]

I did cut the bump stops down. If I recall, you hottest pop the bottom open, I used a chisel, and the shaft and bump stops were exposed, I used a razor to cut the bumpstop, carefully not to scratch the shaft. Sounds tough until you get the first one popped open, then you'll realize it's pretty easy.

[nando]

They are too long for anything but stock springs

[fresh_TD]

Did you do H&R Sports with Bilstein HDs? If so, any pointers on removing those bump stops?

How come you want to remove the bump stops?

Sent from my GS4 Active

[Sean]

man those pics bring back memories of rebuilding my ix suspension. Enjoy, it's worth the effort.

Did you do H&R Sports with Bilstein HDs? If so, any pointers on removing those bump stops?

[Driftin]

man those pics bring back memories of rebuilding my ix suspension. Enjoy, it's worth the effort.

[fresh_TD]

Yup! They look right to you? Theylook nice too - now to get these bilstein bump stops trimmed and a press to install the ball joints!

Mine are waiting for me at home..I'm actually driving home from GA right now..lol

Sent from my GS4 Active

[Sean]

Yup! They look right to you? Theylook nice too - now to get these bilstein bump stops trimmed and a press to install the ball joints!