Seems Like This Would Be Simple!!!??? Solution Found!!
 

I've been completely redoing my front suspension. When I removed my Bilstein front shock inserts I tossed the roll pin that locks the insert to the strut housing thinking I would replace them. Well, as it turns out it's not that simple!! Pelican doesn't even show a part so I guess Porsche doesn't show a part and I've driven all over town and made a dozen calls trying to find a simple roll pin!!!! Turns out it's not that simple because it's 7mm diameter and that's not so easy to find. I guess when you buy new inserts they come with new pins. I had mine rebuilt and they did not come with pins. I had ordered what I thought was the pin through Pelican but it was not it!!

Has anyone else run into this and what did you do?? Help me please!!!!

I recall several pelicanites saying over the years that they are usually locally available. John Walker said this as well I believe. Perhaps what everyone uses is something that is close enough. I have never looed in the PP catalog itself but I thought they were there.

chrisp,

Thanks for the reply! I've searched PP catalog till I was silly and pretty sure it's not there. I called Pelican today and they couldn't help me (which I thought was odd) I've searched around and 6mm and 8mm are available but not 7mm. Not sure what to do but I'll try Bilstein tomorrow. It's maddening! It's just a roll pin!!

Craig, I just looked for roll pins at McMaster Carr and they have everything Known to man but 7mm. If you make the conversion they may have a standard one that you can use.

Most large harware stores have roll pins. Whether there is anything special about these is a VERY important question tho. You don't want to put something weak in there. Be sure the stock ones are not hardened or special steel, etc. Have you tried a local dealer or Stoddard's?

For future reference here is the solution to the 7mm roll pin.

I searched everywhere with no luck - Pelican, Stoddard, Parts Heaven, local auto parts, local hardware suppliers and the World Wide Web. With a previous post on this board I found and called Jack French at Bilstein and he knew the part number off the top of his head and I ordered from Bilstein 1.50 each. Here's the info:

Bilstein America - 1-800-537-1085 ask for Dan ext. 5912 or sales.
Roll pin 7mm x 45mm is part number 526370

Here's a few key words: Front strut roll pin, shock insert roll pin, tension pin, Bilstein shock insert roll pin.

Hope this helps someone in the future and thanks guys for the help!!!!

craig, you are the man. Posting this info for future reference is awesome. Thanks for giving back to the board.

i have a few.

You guys just wait a while -- pretty soon we will be scrabbling for parts nearly as badly as the 356 guys do now....