Rebuilt ix strut housings feeler.

[ForcedFirebird]

If this has to be moved, then I understand, but seeing this is the ix-specific section, thought it might be appropriate. This is just a feeler and not a "for sale" per say.

Realizing the ix's in the snow and Northern states seem to be having strut housing failures, how many would be interested in a rebuild service? Nando can vouch for the work done at WOT-Tech, as his strut housings are in the following pics...







This is a before pic. The perches were so rusted, they literally FELL off with a light tap of a hammer. If you are suffering from this, we can repair them.


Now before you ask about stock perches, we can easily replace them as we have a stock pile of RWD e30 strut housings and since the spring diameter is the same, they could easily be welded onto the ix strut tubes. We have the equipment to properly press in the bearings, clean, blast and even powdercoat if one was to choose.

Best part is we have them in stock, so you wouldn't have to send your in prior (or find a second set to send in). Of course we would have to come up with an honor system (or core charge) in case your cores are beyond repair, but I feel as long as the castings are solid, we can work around damaged goods as far as tubes and threads go.

Would anyone be interested in something like this? If so, what would be the best route? Fully assembled? Bare?

I am sure price is going to be the first question, but think we should start with a discussion as to what people would like, then I can make a proper for sale thread based in input.

We also have an appropriate tap, so your fresh tubes would have brand new threads in them, or at least run through as to have perfect fit in the future.

Chris had his rebuilt prior to the tap purchase, so his were re-welded, these would come with fresh new threads, and a solid one piece tube...

[madman23]

Not sure if you or Chris could answer this but right now I bottom out the fronts all the time. When installed, how much suspension travel is there when at the lowest setting?

[JIM1inWisconsin]

struts

Sounds like a great idea. Nothing worse then dealing with rusted strut housings. I would like to know the approx. price for a total package. Looks as if you do great work.

[ForcedFirebird]

Not sure if you or Chris could answer this but right now I bottom out the fronts all the time. When installed, how much suspension travel is there when at the lowest setting?

Housings were shortened 2" and the inserts were custom valved, don't think he ever bottomed them out, but at the same time, they were very stiff. I believe he went back to something closer to stock.

Sounds like a great idea. Nothing worse then dealing with rusted strut housings. I would like to know the approx. price for a total package. Looks as if you do great work.

Thanks! Will look into my cost on bearings/hubs etc as they will be a huge factor.

[packratbimmer]

Looks like high quality work there. Good luck!!!

[dubdub]

I am in a little different camp, in that I sort of stockpile IX specific parts to either be ready or to help a future sale. What do you think you'd be looking at to get full assemblies with stock perches and threads, without cores?

[kid325e]

I would be interested in this. I have two spare sets of iX housings i've been waiting to do the GC conversion on but figured someone like you would make it easy. I'll keep my eyes on this thread.


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[Kershaw]

Not sure if you or Chris could answer this but right now I bottom out the fronts all the time. When installed, how much suspension travel is there when at the lowest setting?

If you have bilsteins you need to remove them and cut 2/3s off the internal bump stop.

I've been saving a set of struts with rusted perches for something like this. But I was planning on doing them myself. How much are we talking?

[ForcedFirebird]

I am in a little different camp, in that I sort of stockpile IX specific parts to either be ready or to help a future sale. What do you think you'd be looking at to get full assemblies with stock perches and threads, without cores?

Only reservation about this is the need to keep cores for future projects. I would like to keep the stash to a 2-car minimum (4x strut housings). It's not so easy to get more, they seem to fetch $200-300 plus shipping for a pair.

If you have bilsteins you need to remove them and cut 2/3s off the internal bump stop.

Specially with lowering springs. The ix only has HD as an option, and in the RWD cars we know the HD's and Sports have the same valving, just different length internal bump stops.

As far as price, it's going to vary quite a bit from someone sending stripped down housings just to be media blast/paint and thread chasing vs a full set that will need new hubs, bearings, dust shield, perches (or new tubes) etc.

Seems as though there is interest, though. Will pull the housings down and start breaking them down to have a labor idea, as well as sourcing parts. Chris' setup was a little unique since he knew what he wanted, and we did additional custom work such as end link mounts etc. Too bad e30t is gone, there was an an depth thread about them there.

[madman23]

If you have bilsteins you need to remove them and cut 2/3s off the internal bump stop.

I've been saving a set of struts with rusted perches for something like this. But I was planning on doing them myself. How much are we talking?

I have Koni shocks with GC coils and 500lb springs.

[Nisse Järnet]

I shortened mine ~2" and use Koni race inserts with the GC kit, never bottomed out.

[DrMcDave]

I'd be interested in rebuilt assemblies with GC stuff. Ideally though you would mail me the completed assemblies and I could send my cores back for you to use for another customer.

[EyExR]

When I'm ready to convert I would certainly use your service, John. Looks great.

[2002tiiguy]

lol darn you, i just dealt with sandblasting painting, new bearings, and new billy hd's in my strut housings, one of which was rotten through the tube. i might be interested in doing this at some point.

[AWDBOB]

Can't say how soon in the future I'd need this service again, but I think it'd be a nice option to have as a definitive solution. I've used local automotive fab shops for mine in the past, but it's so specific not many have direct experience with the iX platform.

With shipping involved, I'm not sure how "worthwhile" it'd be to rebuild them to stock specs (because you still have to make money), I'd imagine your market would be more in the realm of the standard "shorten these housings for me", or maybe that's just me thinking out loud.

I think you should definitely put together a "housing mod" price for shortening. You may even be able to advertise an iX coilover "Kit" with the Shortened Koni Race Inserts, as GC doesn't offer that (nor do they offer info on which race inserts to use).

Just my jumbled .02