Strut insert installation question 74 targa

[ARCSinAK]

I recently searched the forum for threads on replacing factory boge inserts with bilstein strut inserts. It's seems the general opinion was not to add oil/coolant to the lower strut hosing and to remove the rubber stop bushing. My question is do I leave the large washer
aprox 2" diamater x 3/8" that was on top of the original rubber Boge bump stop. I mocked up the new strut insert with and without this washer and it seemed that the dust cap was more stabile with it. If I do not use oil in the strut housing should I grease the bottom of the strut insert prior to the install? Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated.

[Tidybuoy]

Hi,

I don't think you need the oil. I had used oil a long time ago when I replaced Boge Struts and the directions called for adding oil to the housing. This was to aid in cooling and filled the air gap with a liquid.

However, with the Bilstein strut (which you bought from me - Thanks ), there's not nearly the air gap that the Boges have because the Bilstein is much larger. You can still add oil and it won't hurt anything. In fact, I had added oil when these Bilsteins were on my car but the strut will only hold a couple of teaspoons. And, the oil created a suction which made it difficult to pull the inserts out of the strut housing.

As far as the other parts in your question. Bilsteins do not use a bump stop - it's built into the insert on the inside. You just want to install exactly like I shipped except you need to remove the black rubber ring at the top - that is just for shipping. So, to summarize - Insert into housing, tighten large strut nut, then green cap, then feed thru top of fender, large washer, small washer, then nut. The large washer that you are questioning is not used with the Bilsteins, that is just used buy the Boges.

If you still have the boge struts on the car, you don't have to remove at the bottom. You can compress the insert enough to get under the fender lip, then feed thru the top.

[ARCSinAK]

Thanks Vern-

The strut look to be in excellent condition, excited to get them installed. I'll update when the task is finished.

[ARCSinAK]

Revisiting this thread, I have recently got my 74 back in action after she was attacked by my x.

I installed theses inserts 5 years back and I have been experiencing noise squeaks/creaking sounds when I turn steering wheel very noticeable when parked. Noise seems to be coming from the struts. Tough part is that it’s very intermittent some days there are no noises. When parked and I weight and un weight the front suspension I also hear the squeaks. If the front end is un weighted (jacked up) no sounds are present.

In addition the steering seems stiffer than normal. Kind of point and shoot so to speak on the road.

Anyone experienced this when updating boge struts to bilstein?

Have a missed a step/part?

Any advice would be much appreciated.

[mike sampsel]

Originally Posted by ARCSinAK

Revisiting this thread, I have recently got my 74 back in action after she was attacked by my x.

I installed theses inserts 5 years back and I have been experiencing noise squeaks/creaking sounds when I turn steering wheel very noticeable when parked. Noise seems to be coming from the struts. Tough part is that it’s very intermittent some days there are no noises. When parked and I weight and un weight the front suspension I also hear the squeaks. If the front end is un weighted (jacked up) no sounds are present.

In addition the steering seems stiffer than normal. Kind of point and shoot so to speak on the road.

Anyone experienced this when updating boge struts to bilstein?

Have a missed a step/part?

Any advice would be much appreciated.

When I put new ball joints on my Datsun roadster, I got a funny clunk sound when I turned the steering wheel and quiet when turning wheel unloaded (Wheel was difficult to turn). I also had point steering from these bad joints. A roadster guru on FB heard a video of my noise and told me he had same issue (new ball joints were bad). New good ball joints fixed my problem. May not be your issue ...

[ARCSinAK]

Hi Mike

Thanks for your thoughts. I will inspect the ball joints. The noises are more squeaks/creaks than clunks and seem to be generated from higher up in the strut assembly. Random part is some days there very present other days not heard.