bilstein strut with stripped threads salvagable?

[ColonelMustard]

I picked up some used h & r's with bilsteins only to find that one of the front strut inserts has half the threads stripped off of the stud. I was wondering if anyone knows how much of the threads get engaged with the nut. It looks like it might be salvageable if I cut off the stripped portion and run a die down the rest to clean up the threads, well at least if the remaining threads are enough. Thoughts?

[ahlem]

I'd run the die over them and post another picture. If you have threads showing out the top of the nut when installed, I'd double nut them with a regular nut on the underside and the locknut on top.

[ColonelMustard]

Well it seems after inspecting the other strut insert that at first appeared to be alright is also messed up. After doing a little research the stock struts have a lock nut that is M12 - 1.5 and the bilstein struts have a M12 - 1.25 thread pitch. Since they are close the nut would thread part way on but after it started to bind the PO just forced it the rest of they way causing one to strip out and the other to bend and deform the threads. So long story short they are both unusable and I am now in the market for a couple struts. :'(

[jeffnhiscars]

Bilstein replace a chrome sleeve for me but they had a used one handy so it only cost me $75 plus shipping. If you need 2 you will be better off finding another pair.

[Dirty325ix]

I just had a similar problem except no threads at all(i could literally just push the nut on and off the whole thing) i just bought the tap and die set from harbor and freight and re thread it to a 10 1.25 and it was a really easy job...i just took out the strut and held the tube with vise grips and went at it with the. Die. It was alot easier than i thought

[ColonelMustard]

I was considering that today actually. I have access to a die at my job. The stud got a little bent went the PO cranked on it so that might be the only hang up. I might as well try since there isn't anything to lose at this point. I'll post up some pics after.

[Dirty325ix]

I did it with a hand die btw

[ColonelMustard]

Had the struts thrown on a lathe at work and turned down the stripped/damaged threads and re-threaded with M10. The new threads look great. The only slight issue is that the allen socket at the top gets pretty close to the edge since the PO had bent the shafts when cranking on them. All the same I think that they're going to work out nicely.

[M-technik-3]

This is why Bilstein says NO Air tools to install them,