Bilstein Part #s and Bump Stops

[billjam]

I have the following Bilsteins on the rear - F4 B46-0975-HO.
PP lists "Sport" shocks as part # F4 B46-0975-M12.

Can anyone confirm whether the "-HO" shocks are standard or sport?

I'm looking at upgrading shocks all round, but want to be sure of what I have to start with. No point changing them if PO already did it.

My Bilstein front struts don't have any bump stop rubbers under the top cover.
I know the rear shocks have them, so why not the front? Boge struts have them.
Surely there should be something for the suspension to hit at full travel!

[billjam]

No Bilstein experts out there?

[JFairman]

I think the bump stop is internal on the front Bilstein inserts.

Get in touch with someone that sells them or do a goolge/pelican search for some shock internal diagrams or the USA Bilstein distributor, and get in touch with them.

[Joe V]

That diagram is for non-Bilstein strut inserts. Bilsteins are mounted upside down where the body attaches to the upper body mount and the rod attaches to the bottom of the strut housing. You need to remove the insert (by first driving out the steel roll pin at the base of the housing) and pulling it out in order to see the bump stop. Call Bilstein at 800-537-1085 and they'll help you out.

And Happy New Year!

[billjam]

Originally Posted by Joe V

That diagram is for non-Bilstein strut inserts. Bilsteins are mounted upside down where the body attaches to the upper body mount and the rod attaches to the bottom of the strut housing. You need to remove the insert (by first driving out the steel roll pin at the base of the housing) and pulling it out in order to see the bump stop. Call Bilstein at 800-537-1085 and they'll help you out.

And Happy New Year!

Thanks Joe,

I was wondering what that roll-pin was for. I want to upgrade front shocks but couldn't see how to remove the insert.
The diagram actually shows Boge and Bilstein struts.
My main concern with the apparent lack of bump stops was that maybe a PO had left them out and as I am about to lower the car a little, they may become more relevant.

As far as New Year goes, in Oz we'll be up and into our first 2009 barbeque while you guys are still stuck in 2008! We'll have a beer for you

[87 930]

Billjam;

I recently installed new Bilstein Sports on my '87. Front insert part number is F4-RE3-5050-HO. Rear shock number is F4-B46-0975-HO. Looking at my Bilstein Catalog indicates that the "HO" can refer to their "Sport" units or their "Heavy Duty (standard?)" units. The "M12" appears to be Pelican's number. They've seemed to replace Bilstein's "HO" suffix with their "M12" suffix. You've already got a "Sport" shock there. As JFairman notes, I seem to remember that the bump stops are internal. Scott

[Jim2]

Happen to have these on my bench right now.

This is an "inverted cartridge" bilstein which engages the shock rod in the bottom of the strut with a roll pin. The bump stop sits on the shock rod in the bottom of the strut housing.



This picture show what the inverted cartridge looks like mounted in the strut body. On it's left is a Boge cartridge for a Boge strut. It has the bump stop at the top on the exposed portion of the shock rod.

[billjam]

Thanks Jim and 87 930.

That's exactly the info I was looking for.

I've ordered my heavier front shocks today to go with the existing HD units in the rear. I have also ordered new torsion bars (21mm and 28mm) and poly-graphite bushes all round.
If the squeaks get too loud, I'll go to ER poly-bronze later (when I've recovered from xmas spending).

Best wishes for the New Year to all,
Bill