Where can I get a wrench for Bilsteins NOW?!

ZAMIRZ · ZAMIRZ's Garage

Alright, so in typical Amir fashion I"ve procrastinated on putting my bilsteins on until less than a week 'til BBIII. It seems the Bilsteins inserts for the front need a certain tool to screw/unscrew them into the strut housing. Where can I get this tool within the next 3-4 hours? If anyone has one in or near the San Fernando Valley and wouldn't mind me coming by and borrowing it for a couple hours I'd greatly appreciate it too.

Oh, I forgot to mention I need to get 4 tires mounted/balanced, throw them on the car, lower the car and then go get an alignment by Saturday.........god help me.

thanks,

amir

scottb · 08-05-2003, 01:16 PM

Call TRE. I'm sure they'll know what to do, and/or where you can get the tool.

ZAMIRZ · ZAMIRZ's Garage

Wow, I called them and Dave got on the phone and said "oh, you need to borrow the wrench, come on by by 5:30".......that is service at it's finest ladies and gentlemen.

scottb · 08-05-2003, 01:36 PM

Dave and the folks at TRE are a class act!

Jdub · 08-05-2003, 02:04 PM

Can I get in on this thread: Does anyone have this tool and can I borrow it (Seattle area)?

Much appreciated.

John

Adman · 02:32 PM

For those of you who are able to plan ahead...I went to this site:
http://www.bilstein.com/contact.html

Called Bilstein of America and hit the wall talking to a tech. I then spoke with parts and they knew of no such tool. I then asked for the Sales Manager. Wish I could recall his name. He really was a nice guy. I told him that the tool was not in the box. He told me that he didnt realize that they had quit shipping a tool with the cartridges. He then took my contact information and sent me a wrench by mail. I got it in 3 days. This all took place about 8 months ago. Worth a try for those who have the time.
Matthew

scottb · 08-05-2003, 02:22 PM

Isn't John Walker in Seattle? My guess is he'd help out.

masraum · 08-05-2003, 02:22 PM

I called Bilstein Tech support. Got the tool in about a week.

Several others have just used either a pipe wrench or channel locks.

einreb · 08-05-2003, 02:29 PM

per John Walker... I used BIG Channel Locks. Had to go buy them, but what a great tool.

Why bilstein doesnt include them is beyond me. Pelican could go above and beyond by stocking them and offering to include them in the shipment when you order them.. just a thought.

-b

nostatic · nostatic's Garage

TRE is putting new Bilstein sports on my car as we speak, so you better not take their only wrench

ZCAT3 · 08-05-2003, 02:34 PM

I just ordered new Bilstein HDs for my 87 911. I am only doing the front as the rears were alreayd done. What is this tool and what is the purpose? I do have some very large channel locks.

SilverPoly · 08-05-2003, 02:40 PM

Quote:

Dave and the folks at TRE are a class act!

I'll 2nd that. Great guys over there.

Adman · 08-05-2003, 02:44 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by ZCAT3
I just ordered new Bilstein HDs for my 87 911. I am only doing the front as the rears were alreayd done. What is this tool and what is the purpose? I do have some very large channel locks.

Really depends how anal you are. Channel locks work just fine. The tool is a stamped steel ring with two protrusions 180 degree opposed that match the notches in the screw on cap for the cartridge. Its setup for either a 3/8th or 1/2" drive dont recall which. Allows you to torque to spec.

ZCAT3 · 08-05-2003, 02:54 PM

Matthew - o.k. - I am with you as I have pulled and replaced shocks before - and yep, I had my wife use the channel locks to hold the top end while I torqued it to spec.

ZAMIRZ · ZAMIRZ's Garage

nostatic, saw your car and that ugly matte black thing tyson drives too.

anyway, I'm having a problem. I bought these bilsteins 2nd hand and they were already installed on a boge strut assembly. For the life of me I can't get them off, no matter how hard I try the tool gives way. I soaked it in WD-40 just now to see if that'll open it up a bit. Anyway, whehter I go on BBRIII depends on if I can get these in by tonight so somebody for the love of Amir please help me.

TRE Cup · TRE Cup's Garage

time to get out the propane torch, a fire extinguisher, a bucket of water, a towel ,and a friend
Clean off the wd 40 as best as possible
Support the strut securely in a vise
Heat up the threaded area only with slow sweeping motions- NOT TOO LONG! you don't want to mess up the seals- probably about 15-20 seconds worth of time
TIGHTEN the shock insert slightly, then work it back and forth till you can remove it
towel and water is to cool it off asap after it loosens up
Otherwise bring them over and we'll use OUR super large channel locks
db

speeder · speeder's Garage

Amir, Little brother, what's that song? "Go see Dave, go see Dave, go see......etc." I wouldn't risk f'ing them up, myself.

nostatic · nostatic's Garage

Quote:

Originally posted by speeder
Amir, Little brother, what's that song? "Go see Dave, go see Dave, go see......etc." I wouldn't risk f'ing them up, myself.

That's why me car is at TRE while I am safely located miles away.

Safe for the car that is...

Tyson Schmidt · 08-05-2003, 08:17 PM

Nostatic, you'll be happy to know that your Bilstein Sports are happily installed. And you don't need the special wrench when you already have Bistein struts. They use a rollpin at the bottom of the strut to retain the insert. (The Boge struts require this tool for the Bilstein insert.)

But, your damn rubber bump stops were in a million tiny rubber pieces in the bottom of the strut housing! A good hours worth of digging and cleaning before I could put the new inserts in. Major PITA!!! No worries. No extra charge for that. I'm just glad to see you get some real dampers in that beautiful car.

BTW, your car is amazingly clean and original. It's like it's 1979 mechanically. Very nice!

don911 · don911's Garage

John,
I have the tool if you need it. You can have it as I found it useless. I used a chain pipe wrench that I bought at Sears on mine. You can borrow the pipe wrench also if you like.