Ground Control with Bilstein problem?

[Majjic]

Hey guys i was doing some research online about using the GC sleeve kit on bilstein shocks.

I ended up ordering the sleeve kit for my bilstein shocks.
I am aware you do have the option of cutting the struts or not. I decided not to go this route.

I got the rears in no problem, but i was attempting the front and i ran into a problem.

the sleeves have too much play on the shock shaft, apparently on the diagram that came with the kit it mentions a o-ring, which i was not provided with...

I am not trying to mount the sleeve kit above the gland nut from the pictures. The sleeve kit goes around the main strut body (the black part) and will go all the way down till the bottom of the lower spring perch.

The sleeve kit does not go past the gland nut for me to mount it on the strut body.
I was told to try removing the gland nut, installing the sleeve kit, and replacing the gland nut.
but it looks like the bottom of the sleeve is too narrow.

What is wrong?

Sorry if the images are BIG.

http://img151.imageshack.us/img151/9725/img5869.jpg

http://img150.imageshack.us/img150/4913/img58561.jpg

Any help would be appreciated.
thanks.

[Hellabad]

I was told to try removing the gland nut, installing the sleeve kit, and replacing the gland nut.

So the "problem" you are referring to is in following the directions?

[Hellabad]

pic

Here is a picture of the directions. The special wrench you need is available from Bilstein. They give it to you when you buy the struts (in the box).

It will all be perfect, just follow the directions. Your directions may be slightly different, and you don't need the 0-ring on a 318is (50.5mm), but this is the only one I have on my computer right now.

Jay

[JennsBeamer]

So the "problem" you are referring to is in following the directions?

Ahh, there's that special GC Customer "Service".

:roll:

[Hodge]

You remove the shock collar nut then slide the GC sleeve onto the strut, then put the collar back in...like so...don't forget the tiny rubber O-Ring supplied or you may get some noise.

Mine are cut and welded perches as well. I highly recommend doing this.




An easy way to get the gland nut (shock collar nut) off is to use channel locks are a nice big screwdriver and hit it with a hammer. That is how I got mine off and on.

[Majjic]

ok will give it a try, the gland nut is being a biatch though..

i heard its not a good idea to shorten the struts because i am running Bilsteins.
its only recommend if I use a shorter insert such as a corrado revaled koni, or koni race insert?

[gearheadE30]

I actually ended up using a pair of pipe wrenches to get the gland nut off, fwiw.

Cutting and shortening the struts is done so that shorter inserts can be used in the name of more travel. The Bilsteins are stock length, so they wouldn't fit anymore. You would need to run the GC specific Konis and follow the directions that they supply.