Bilstein Sport question

[BigFurryWhale]

How much play/movement is there supposed to be around the strut insert when it is inside the front strut?

When I took my stock shock out, it fit almost perfectly within the strut assembly. When I went to put the biltein in, I found that there was almost a pinky width of play around the shock. Is that normal?

[Apex381]

There shouldnt be that much play, that sounds like alot. The shocks on the early 318i's were smaller than the later cars, maybe you accidentally got some of those.

[Van Westervelt]

There shouldnt be that much play, that sounds like alot. The shocks on the early 318i's were smaller than the later cars, maybe you accidentally got some of those.

x2. There should be no play whatsoever. Just enough to slide in and out and thats it.

[BigFurryWhale]

So there should be no play whatsoever?

[KenC]

You have the 45mm struts. It sounds like you need the 51mm ones.