noob question, bilstein sport shocks on stock struts?

[z6ne]

I'm looking to get some bilstein sport shocks along with a set of vogtland lowering springs and was wondering if this setup can be run with stock struts. Please chime in with any and all useful info, and what setup should be had if this is not the way to go. Thanks

[jrobie79]

The front suspension pieces are called struts, and will be replaced by the billy sports and vogtland springs. The rear springs and shocks likewise.


and depending on the year of your car the front billy sports should be able to utilize the stock strut tubes.

[z6ne]

1986.
The back one's don't have strut tubes?

[Brezzi]

nope they just have shock mounts up top and a bolt on the bottom that connects near the rear hub/trailing arm assmb.

[z6ne]

So with my car, 86 e as said above, I can fit the front shocks into the stock strut tube with no issues?

[jlevie]

So with my car, 86 e as said above, I can fit the front shocks into the stock strut tube with no issues?

That is correct, you just have to obtain the correct strut inserts that match the diameter of the strut housings. In this case, probably 51mm inserts.

[z6ne]

how much do those, on average, cost?

[mr ilia]

500.00

[StereoInstaller1]

So with my car, 86 e as said above, I can fit the front shocks into the stock strut tube with no issues?

To explain a bit: the entire assembly is called a "Strut" or more properly, a MacPherson Strut.

If yo were to buy "Bilsteins" or KYBs or whatever, the part is actually called a "strut insert", while the entire assembly is typically called a strut.

Once you have the strut out, you can take the top off (called the strut mount) and remove the spring, then the "top nut" of the strut tube, and then you remove the insert.

The rears on an E30 are not struts at all, they are simply shocks. Most all BMW after the E30 do use struts in the rear. Typically, struts can rotate while shocks cannot, that is a primary difference between the two.

In the case of the E30, the rear springs are completely separate, not attached at all to the rear shock.

Hope that helps clarify things a bit. We were all noobs at one point or another, right?

GL!
Luke

[z6ne]

To explain a bit: the entire assembly is called a "Strut" or more properly, a MacPherson Strut.

If yo were to buy "Bilsteins" or KYBs or whatever, the part is actually called a "strut insert", while the entire assembly is typically called a strut.

Once you have the strut out, you can take the top off (called the strut mount) and remove the spring, then the "top nut" of the strut tube, and then you remove the insert.

The rears on an E30 are not struts at all, they are simply shocks. Most all BMW after the E30 do use struts in the rear. Typically, struts can rotate while shocks cannot, that is a primary difference between the two.

In the case of the E30, the rear springs are completely separate, not attached at all to the rear shock.

Hope that helps clarify things a bit. We were all noobs at one point or another, right?

GL!
Luke

thanks dood, makes much more sense now.

[StereoInstaller1]

thanks dood, makes much more sense now.

R3V is a helpful place, good to hear that makes more sense.

All that jazz can be confusing, but at least the E30 is very simple to work with.

GL!

Luke

[z6ne]

R3V is a helpful place, good to hear that makes more sense.

All that jazz can be confusing, but at least the E30 is very simple to work with.

GL!

Luke

I like when forums are, and not just a bunch of elite shits giving you hate when you don't know as much as them.

[dsm2002]

To explain a bit: the entire assembly is called a "Strut" or more properly, a MacPherson Strut.

If yo were to buy "Bilsteins" or KYBs or whatever, the part is actually called a "strut insert", while the entire assembly is typically called a strut.

Once you have the strut out, you can take the top off (called the strut mount) and remove the spring, then the "top nut" of the strut tube, and then you remove the insert.

The rears on an E30 are not struts at all, they are simply shocks. Most all BMW after the E30 do use struts in the rear. Typically, struts can rotate while shocks cannot, that is a primary difference between the two.

In the case of the E30, the rear springs are completely separate, not attached at all to the rear shock.

Hope that helps clarify things a bit. We were all noobs at one point or another, right?

GL!
Luke

I'd vote for this post as one of the best post on this board. No talking down, no cheap shots, no hate. Kudos, mate!