Bilstein strut - too long? wtf?

[dude8383]

What about Koni's? ATF as well?

[IronFreak]

What about Koni's? ATF as well?

Yeah what he said, I use koni's not billies.

[Earendil]

Do you have a measuring tape? Before you start hammering, measure the one shock you have, and then stick the tape down into the strut tube and see how much room is there.That'll tell you if it's a tight fit for whatever reason, or if you really are running out of room. If you're running out of room, get Turner on the phone, if you have plenty of room, it'll be on your shoulders to correct the issue by either getting a new strut tube or a BFH.

[Supertim]

Thanks for your input guys! I emailed Turner and they were kind enough to measure a couple of billy's which confirmed that my strut is the correct one with correct length. I also did what Earendil said and used measuring tape to confirm that my strut depth is about 45cm and the strut is 42cm so that leaves me some clearance, which consequently means that my strut housing must in fact be bent! That explains the terrible condition of the control arm ball joints, and the old strut being completely busted.

I will have to visit a local junkyard to pick up a replacement housing, and conveniently ill have to struggle again trying pull a stock strut out of another damn housing, because the first 2 times weren't annoying enough :loco: lol.

Once again, thanks for all your help guys, never thought the housing could bend - that thing is massive. :ohsnap:

Cheers!

[Earendil]

I will have to visit a local junkyard to pick up a replacement housing, and conveniently ill have to struggle again trying pull a stock strut out of another damn housing, because the first 2 times weren't annoying enough :loco: lol.

Hey, hopefully with a straight strut the shock will just slide out and slide on in. I remember struggling with the collar nut, but pulling the shocks out wasn't a problem when I did mine.

[Supertim]

Earendil - sorry, that's what I meant, the collar nut is such a bitch!

[ak-]

I think your strut tube is bent near the bottom somehow.

Your shock is tapered because I think it's good practice to put some oil in the tube itself for some internal shock rod heat exchange black magic stuff.

^^^^
I'm with stupid


Seriously though, there's no reason it shouldny go in so long as nothing is in the bottom of the strut tube and the base of the strut is on all the way.

I think you should put the insert in the tube, grab a block of wood and set it on the top of the strut insert. Give it a couple hard whacks with the hammer then see if you can start the gland nut. I feel like its just a tight squeeze in your particular housing.

Good luck.

YOU LOSE BETCH.



OP, happy to hear that it also lead to the discovery of your premature arm joint wear.

[E30_fiend]

YOU LOSE BETCH

I'm cool with losing to you. I win in other areas. (your heart<3)

Oh and....


MAKE YOUR SIG SMALLER FAAAAAAAAAG

[ak-]

I'm cool with losing to you. I win in other areas. (your heart<3)

Oh and....


MAKE YOUR SIG SMALLER FAAAAAAAAAG

You always know how to make me smile.

AND NO.

[E30_fiend]

I'm gonna hack your shit and make it smaller.

[Supertim]

lol you guys are hilarious! But no, there is no way I am going to hammer that shit into the housing, I'm trying to do the right thing here.. actually found a local shop that's parting out a couple of E30s, the owner's giving me a good deal on a couple of things (including a strut housing) so I'm a happy driver now ;)

P.S. someone mentioned putting oil along with gas-based struts? whoever you are, are you insane? :loco: