Strut help plz ...

[wsp8]

I’m in the middle of replacing the struts on my ’95 318ti. Everything’s came off okay (okay, maybe a few busted knuckles!), all cleaned and resprayed, but the new assembled strut seems about 1 ½” longer than the previous unit. I’m replacing the (stock @ 177K?) originals with Bilstein’s heavy-duty unit strut from Bavarian Auto. I selected these over the adjustable ones, because I understood they re-used the stock springs. Maybe not?

Also, as the new piston rod is significantly larger in diameter I didn’t reuse the original bump stop and collar. Is it okay to not use them?

Thanks for any ideas/thoughts!

[Jeron]

The assembled length will only effect your full droop length not your ride height. I'm not saying your ride height will be unaffected.

Bump stops are good. Find out what they want you to use.

[wsp8]

Well, I tried the right side tonight and same problem. I took pics this time, though.

Note that two of the bolts at the bearing are on, but the third cannot be installed because the bottom mount is waaaay below where it should be, so the bottom ball joint is in the way. See how the bottom of the same assembly is almost below the bottom of the rotor!

Compare the original shock (as fully extended as I could get it by hand) and the new assembled one. The new one is probably four inches taller.

BTW, I cross-checked the model #'s with the Bilstein site and they match.

Ideas?? What am I doing wrong?

[jamin325i]

1 i suspect that your old shock shaft is not fully extended as it is hydraulic and has no spring attached in picture.
2 picture seems to show that you have seperated caliper from rotor. you only need to seperate the knuckle from the bottom of strut, allow caliper and rotor to droop and support them so balljoint is not damaged.
3 i assume car is not supported by jack under control arm. cant see from picture. control arm should be at lowest possible position to allow room for new strut assembly to be installed.
4 remove top attachments and remove strut assembly, so with proper room can wiggle strut attach. points to the caliper and attach bolts which is above the ball joint.
5 you dont need old bump stop/old dust cover because your new bilsteen has a dust cover.