Bilstein HD collar nut issues

[Rickaytan]

I have just recently installed both front and rear Bilstein hds and e30 M3 springs into my 1985 325e. After a few days I started to notice a loud clunking noise coming from both the left and right front struts. I checked both of them out and the inner black lining of the gland nut(see picture) was separated from from the gland nut itself. The movement of the strut combined with the movement of the strut housing has seemed to cause the inner black lining of the gland nut to shimmy its way up the shaft of the strut. Keep in mind that the threaded part of the gland nut is still attached, the springs are aligned, and all of the nuts(tie rod, control arm,top nut of the strut, 3 nuts attaching strut mount, etc.) are fully tightened, and the ball joints are in fairly good condition. This issue with the separation of the gland nut seems to be one of the main sources that are causing the strut to collide with the strut housing. Any ideas on what else might be causing the clunking of the front struts? Any solutions? And how might I be able to keep the inner black lining of the gland nut inside the entire gland nut itself? I'll try to get pictures up of the strut tomorrow.

[jlevie]

The black ring is just a dust/dirt seal. My recollection is that it fits in a groove in the gland nuts and I can't see it coming out unless there is some parts mismatch. There should not be enough clearance between the gland nut and strut shaft for it to come out. But regardless, I don't see the rings as being the cause of the clunks. That sounds more like miss-assembly of the struts, bad upper strut bearings, or wear in other parts for the front suspension.

[Rickaytan]

The black ring is just a dust/dirt seal. My recollection is that it fits in a groove in the gland nuts and I can't see it coming out unless there is some parts mismatch. There should not be enough clearance between the gland nut and strut shaft for it to come out. But regardless, I don't see the rings as being the cause of the clunks. That sounds more like miss-assembly of the struts, bad upper strut bearings, or wear in other parts for the front suspension.

I installed everything properly and when the collar nut was threaded into place, the strut was firmly seated in place as well. The loosening of the dust/dirt seal seems to be giving the strut itself a lot of play in between the gland nut. When that dust/dirt seal is separated from the gland nut, I am able to move the whole strut housing back and forth. When the seal is properly in the gland nut I am not able to move the strut housing.

[jeffnhiscars]

45mm cartridge in a 51mm housing

[jlevie]

45mm cartridge in a 51mm housing

Something like that is what I'm thinking...

[jeffnhiscars]

Something like that is what I'm thinking...

There is actually a gland nut that allows this install since I had this conversation with Bilstein when my 318i got t boned.

[Rickaytan]

45mm cartridge in a 51mm housing

I was also thinking that as well. Im going to get the gland nuts that the guy used when he had my setup and see if that works.

There is actually a gland nut that allows this install since I had this conversation with Bilstein when my 318i got t boned.

Would you happen to know what gland nut it is?

[jlevie]

One peak at the strut with the gland nut off should answer the question. If there is a noticeable gap between the insert body and strut tube, you have the wrong parts.

[Rickaytan]

One peak at the strut with the gland nut off should answer the question. If there is a noticeable gap between the insert body and strut tube, you have the wrong parts.

What would be the solution to this?

[jeffnhiscars]

The solution is the gland nut I referred to.

"the part number is E4-B46-670"

This allows you to install a 30mm cartridge which goes in the 45mm strut in to a 51mm strut. They are $24.95 and this is the guy who can get them to you:

Wes Welch
Technical Product Information Coordinator
ThyssenKrupp Bilstein of America
14102 Stowe Drive
Poway, CA 92064
Office: +1 858 386-5950

[Rickaytan]

The solution is the gland nut I referred to.

"the part number is E4-B46-670"

This allows you to install a 30mm cartridge which goes in the 45mm strut in to a 51mm strut. They are $24.95 and this is the guy who can get them to you:

Wes Welch
Technical Product Information Coordinator
ThyssenKrupp Bilstein of America
14102 Stowe Drive
Poway, CA 92064
Office: +1 858 386-5950

Thanks, Ill look into it.

[JGood]

Are you 100% sure the gland nut is tight? Put a wrench on it. I had them come loose a few times, and grabbing it by hand I wasn't able to spin it easily, but with a wrench on it, it was definitely loose. And it doesn't take much to allow enough room for the insert to 'clunk' around.

And yes, the above info about a 45mm strut in a 51mm housing is correct. I just sold a set of Bilsteins with the adapter gland nuts. However, you would have known right off the bat that something was wrong before you put them on the car. The 45mm insert flops around inside the normal 51mm nut, it doesn't even get remotely tight. The contact surfaces are different.

[Rickaytan]

The solution is the gland nut I referred to.

"the part number is E4-B46-670"

This allows you to install a 30mm cartridge which goes in the 45mm strut in to a 51mm strut. They are $24.95 and this is the guy who can get them to you:

Wes Welch
Technical Product Information Coordinator
ThyssenKrupp Bilstein of America
14102 Stowe Drive
Poway, CA 92064
Office: +1 858 386-5950

The part number you gave me was incorrect but I found the proper one. Now I just have to wait until they come in.

[Farbin Kaiber]

Did you just order it all willy-nilly, or did you verify that was the issue?

[Rickaytan]

Did you just order it all willy-nilly, or did you verify that was the issue?

I talked with Wes from Bilstein prior to ordering and I verified the problem. I also took everyones advice and checked the potential problems.