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

[Craig Roche]

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!!!!

[chrisp]

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.

[Craig Roche]

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!!

[niner11]

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.

[Randy Webb]

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?

[Craig Roche]

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!!!!

[chrisp]

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

[john walker's workshop]

i have a few.

[Randy Webb]

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