Video Tutorial for shortening strut housings and installing Ground Control kit

[yeaseth]

Great vid, a lot of people can use this to help them

[markhchambers]

So the weld that holds the two pieces of the strut housing together is above the spring perch? The instructions from GC say to cut 1" out and the spring perch is suppose to be 2.5" from the top. If I go by the picture on here, the weld will be below the spring perch. Also, if I go by their measurements, the threaded sleeve sits about a half inch above the top of the strut housing. Is that correct or should I cut 2" out instead?

[CubbyChowder]

So the weld that holds the two pieces of the strut housing together is above the spring perch? The instructions from GC say to cut 1" out and the spring perch is suppose to be 2.5" from the top. If I go by the picture on here, the weld will be below the spring perch. Also, if I go by their measurements, the threaded sleeve sits about a half inch above the top of the strut housing. Is that correct or should I cut 2" out instead?

Something that I realized after I finished modifying my housings was that the supplied adjuster sleeve (red threaded sleeve) is bored out on the inside more on one end than the other side. I read several write ups and the included instructions and nothing ever mentioned that one side has a bigger inner diameter than the other. What I figured out is that that section allows the collar nut to thread into the strut housing and it will eventually sit flush with the the top of the adjuster sleeve. I didn't really see a difference, as long as the collar nut is securing everything down, I think it's fine. I just continued to do things the way I did in the video and everything worked out fine. Hope that makes sense.

It's up to you how much you want to cut out. Like I said, this video is just a general outline of what I did in my situation.

[markhchambers]

Hmm, I thought the bored end would face down and that's what the o ring would fit into. My threaded collar is not held down with the gland nut, it moves freely. Do I need some sort of washer or something?

[CubbyChowder]

Hmm, I thought the bored end would face down and that's what the o ring would fit into. My threaded collar is not held down with the gland nut, it moves freely. Do I need some sort of washer or something?

Hmm, interesting. I ended up using the thinner O-rings and they worked perfectly. I figured the fatter O-rings would be used on early model (pre '89) e30's as I believe they have narrower strut housings. Is the diameter of your collar nut smaller than the inner diameter of the adjuster sleeve?

[markhchambers]

Hmm, interesting. I ended up using the thinner O-rings and they worked perfectly. I figured the fatter O-rings would be used on early model (pre '89) e30's as I believe they have narrower strut housings. Is the diameter of your collar nut smaller than the inner diameter of the adjuster sleeve?

Yes, it's smaller. The threaded collar will slide on and off even with the nut on. There is nothing else keeping the collar on the strut housing other than the tension from the o rings. The nut came with my ground control kit... I think. So your nut actually holds the collar onto the strut housing?

The other question I had... once you cut and remove the piece out of the strut tube and weld the two pieces back together, do you weld the spring perch above or below the the first weld?

[mbonanni]

Something that I realized after I finished modifying my housings was that the supplied adjuster sleeve (red threaded sleeve) is bored out on the inside more on one end than the other side. I read several write ups and the included instructions and nothing ever mentioned that one side has a bigger inner diameter than the other. What I figured out is that that section allows the collar nut to thread into the strut housing and it will eventually sit flush with the the top of the adjuster sleeve. I didn't really see a difference, as long as the collar nut is securing everything down, I think it's fine. I just continued to do things the way I did in the video and everything worked out fine. Hope that makes sense.

It's up to you how much you want to cut out. Like I said, this video is just a general outline of what I did in my situation.

I wish I read this before I put mine together. My collar nut that holds the strut in does not thread all the way flush. I called bilstein and the said it was okay, Maybe I should remove them and check it out. hmmmm

[CubbyChowder]

Yes, it's smaller. The threaded collar will slide on and off even with the nut on. There is nothing else keeping the collar on the strut housing other than the tension from the o rings. The nut came with my ground control kit... I think. So your nut actually holds the collar onto the strut housing?

The other question I had... once you cut and remove the piece out of the strut tube and weld the two pieces back together, do you weld the spring perch above or below the the first weld?

My GC kit did not supply a collar nut, however my Bilstein's did, and it was big enough to clamp the threaded sleeve down as well. If you look in the video between 4:45-5:00 you will see that the collar nut is just big enough to prevent the sleeve from sliding up. What front shocks are you using?

I wish I read this before I put mine together. My collar nut that holds the strut in does not thread all the way flush. I called bilstein and the said it was okay, Maybe I should remove them and check it out. hmmmm

I really think you'll be ok, I don't see how it would make a difference as far as functionality goes. Either way, the collar nut is holding the threaded sleeve in place (however, markhchambers is now saying that his collar nut isn't big enough to clamp the threaded sleeve down, which I can't really help out with. I mentioned that this tutorial is specific to my setup and that your setup may vary slightly). If you look in my video between 4:45-5:00 you will see that mine is completely visible still, and I've had no problems with it.

[markhchambers]

[quote=CubbyChowder;3559847]My GC kit did not supply a collar nut, however my Bilstein's did, and it was big enough to clamp the threaded sleeve down as well. If you look in the video between 4:45-5:00 you will see that the collar nut is just big enough to prevent the sleeve from sliding up. What front shocks are you using?


I am using the whole GC set up with Koni's. I see what you are talking about now. I've seen a couple of different style nuts, I've seen some with a collar. Mine is almost like a threaded plug with a hole for the shaft of the strut rod to go through so the outside diameter of the nut is the same diameter of the inside of the strut housing. Maybe I will see about ordering a different style nut. I am not real sure it really matters. I think the only reason the sleeve could slide up is if I was doing a dukes of hazzard jump or something. As long as the weight of the car is on it, I don't see it coming up.

I am still wondering about the question I asked about earlier. Is the weld that holds the two peices of the housing together above or below the weld on spring perch? In the video, it looks like you welded them together and then ground it down so the threaded collar would slide down over it. Is that correct?

[CubbyChowder]

[QUOTE=markhchambers;3561851]

My GC kit did not supply a collar nut, however my Bilstein's did, and it was big enough to clamp the threaded sleeve down as well. If you look in the video between 4:45-5:00 you will see that the collar nut is just big enough to prevent the sleeve from sliding up. What front shocks are you using?


I am using the whole GC set up with Koni's. I see what you are talking about now. I've seen a couple of different style nuts, I've seen some with a collar. Mine is almost like a threaded plug with a hole for the shaft of the strut rod to go through so the outside diameter of the nut is the same diameter of the inside of the strut housing. Maybe I will see about ordering a different style nut. I am not real sure it really matters. I think the only reason the sleeve could slide up is if I was doing a dukes of hazzard jump or something. As long as the weight of the car is on it, I don't see it coming up.

I am still wondering about the question I asked about earlier. Is the weld that holds the two peices of the housing together above or below the weld on spring perch? In the video, it looks like you welded them together and then ground it down so the threaded collar would slide down over it. Is that correct?

Yes that is correct.

[markhchambers]

Cool man, thanks for all the help!

[CubbyChowder]

I am now offering this service to anyone who is interested in having this done. My thread with all details can be viewed here: http://www.r3vlimited.com/board/showthread.php?t=297410

[Nutzy]

Excellent video, I intend to go down this route very shortly.

A question though, I want to use 448lb (8KG) springs in front with Bilstein B6 IX inserts, PN 34-002513.

Is this going to work out nicely? Enough damping for that rate?

/N