IX Suspension Upgrade.. More Problems.. More $$

[95BMWIC]

Son is home from college and I thought I would invest in a suspension upgrade on the IX. I decided to go with the Bilstein HD and the H&R Sport (for the IX). Dont judge me Nando..

Got the Springs..

[95BMWIC]

Got the strut inserts and rear shocks..

[95BMWIC]

Ancillaries..

Meyle HD rear Strut mounts

BMW IX Control Arms

[95BMWIC]

Well, I can tell you nothing goes easy with this car... (2 year ago I had to use a cutting torch to remove the passenger side axle nut.. luck I had a spare axle shaft).

As I was removing the driver side strut assembly, I pull up the plastic boot and discovered a rusted out strut housing with no NUT securing the strut insert...

I never had removed the assembly.. Once I got it off the car the spring and strut insert just fell apart...

[95BMWIC]

Where the hell do I find another IX strut Assembly?

Well luckily I remembered I had bought a box of a parts from a kid who had a wrecked IX - along with another TC, transmission and Engine of course..

But he had converted it over to a coil over...

And now I am faced with this:

[95BMWIC]

There is a sleeve with 3 pins in it.. (I circled the one)

I did remove the insert nut - HOWEVER the damn insert wont come out!

I am soaking it in Penetrating oil..

But I am wondering if those pins extend into the housing (and into the insert)... I mean, who the hell knows what the PO did..

Suggestions?

Do I drill the pins out? Wait? Use a Slide hammer to try and remove insert?

More $$$ more problems....

Where can I find another one? Ebay has 1 rusty one.. but thats it..

[Kershaw]

You could leave it. Remove the spring adjuster (gear looking thing), the stock spring will fit just fine over it.

As for the insert.. I dunno. No reason it shouldnt come out. Put a washer and a nut back on the strut, go outside, tie a rope to a tree, loop the rope tight around the strut (held securely by the washer and nut) and yank really hard? Or try that same set up but tie the strut (but dont use the wheel bearing/half shaft hole, loop it around the bottom) to the back of a tow hitch and pull slowly with someone tapping on it with a hammer? Or maybe no one should be near that when it pops. Also, tie it really short to the tow hitch so it can't pop around and smack something like the rear glass. And maybe pad some stuff so no dents occur. I don't know, shooting in the dark here.

[95BMWIC]

I agree Kershaw, I think its gotta come out with force..

I put penetration fluid (soaked it to the brim) and this morning, its still there.. Apparently not penetrating..

This is gonna be a long day..

[nando]

coilover adjusters with stock spring perches? Did he jack up the car or something? lol.

I agree with Kershaw - it would work fine with the stock spring if you remove the adjuster and leave the collar. or just cut it off with a dremel - it's a cheap generic adjuster, not like it's worth anything..

[Nisse Järnet]

The pins might go through the strut tube and pinch the insert? So it won't come out?

[95BMWIC]

I took a small 6 ton jack and pushed the rod assembly clean out of the jack leaving the insert sleeve still stuck in the assembly. So I said "F" it and found a couple IX strut assemblies USED (2 for $300 shipped) and ordered them.

I pressed out the hub assemblies and ruined the bearings (of course) and then left the inner race on one.. So that'll take an hour to cut off..

Damn IX!!


I now have to order two front bearings.. Made a separate post for that confusion...

Kershaw - Referring to your "scored" hub a year ago.. did you order a new hub? or did you snag a used one? What bearing did you go with?

[audiquattrot]

Friend of mine is selling a pair of front strut housing w good bearings in the fs section if ur interested. Only as a pair though

[95BMWIC]

Friend of mine is selling a pair of front strut housing w good bearings in the fs section if ur interested. Only as a pair though

I did see a couple for sale threads - What was his name?

I needed to talk to someone on the phone and make sure they got sent out right away. I worked with Jake with Classic Daily out of Michigan.

Facebook page - https://www.facebook.com/classicdailyllc

I emailed him and he called me right away..

He had a ton of parts for BMWs - some are on his website..

[stonea]

I could use a passenger side strut housing if you find a pair.

[audiquattrot]

I did see a couple for sale threads - What was his name?

I needed to talk to someone on the phone and make sure they got sent out right away. I worked with Jake with Classic Daily out of Michigan.

Facebook page - https://www.facebook.com/classicdailyllc

I emailed him and he called me right away..

He had a ton of parts for BMWs - some are on his website..

Frank88ix