Front Shock Insert Question
 

I've convinced myself that I can cope with replacing the front damper strut inserts! I shall be doing the rears this weekend.

But - I know that Bilstein inserts (for Boge strut) do not ship in the UK with the wrench for the gland nut that holds the insert in the strut.

I have contacted Bilstein in the UK and they have a wrench thay can sell me. Problem is I need to confirm what the gland nut (or the wrench) looks like.

Bilstein described it to me as basically a 'C' type wrench with a couple of 'pins' to engage in two cut-outs in the gland nut.

Can anyone confirm, or perhaps even post a pic?

On another point, anyone know if it's possible to replace track rod end gaiters without replacing the track rod end itself? The PO fitted turbo tie rod conversion just over a year ago. I noticed that one of the gaiters is now split.

Many thanks.

You might consider going to you local bicycle shop and purchasing a "C" ring used to remove the lock ring on a bottom bracket. This will engage only one notch of the four-notched lock nut, but it was enough for me. You may need also to resort to a cheater bar in some manner.

The bicycle wrench ought to cost you no more than about $15.00. You might compare that to what Bilstein is charging you (funny they should do that - it is supposed to be free?) and go from there.

John

a pair of large channel-locks does the same thing.

Thanks guys.

I take it my description sounds like the right tool that Bilstein have? I don't mind paying a few pounds for the right tool, but wasting money is very irritating!

Interestingly, Bilstein told me that the gland nut doesn't need to be torqued to a high figure. Indeed using their tool I doubt that you can easily measure the applied tightening torque.

Mine were almost hand-tight. If none of the above solutions work for you, you might even be able to use your fan pulley wrench if it's the c-type. I used a bottom bracket bicycle wrench which worked great. No need for a specialized tool.

It's also useful to have the same type of spanner/wrench to hold the top washers in place when torquing the strut after reinstallation.

I thought it needed a fairly high torque. You can't see it and you don't want it coming loose. I went with JW's tool. Yes, it leaves marks, but again, you can't see it.

Pipe wrench, its not pretty but it does the job.

Is this the tool you are talking about? It came with a set of front shocks I bought but not yet installed.

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1091574678.jpg

So that’s what it looks like. Just a
little better than a pipe wrench.
:D

Just wanted to say thanks for the info.

The picture will be really useful in making sure I get the right tool from Bilstein here in the UK.

Planning to do the job in a couple of weeks.

I too put Bilstein inserts in Boge struts about a year ago. Doing withought the tool was a big PITA. As for the torque, I think I guessed and used 65lbs. What do you guys think? Too much, too little.

I also had to undo my brake hose because it was just a smidgen too short to allow the old Boge insert out from under the fender. Even when I turned the steering wheel. Man, it was so close, but wouldn't make it. I had new "soft" lines from Pelican, so maybe the newer lines are a bit shorter than the stock lines, not sure.

For what it's worth my KONIs said 89 ft.ibs on
BOGE struts