Strut stressing

[Nine9six]

Please be patient with what I am sure is a stoopid question.
I just purchased a set of Bilsteins sport shocks for my 87 Carrera. The car has OEM Boge shocks and struts. I purchased a set of Bilstein replacements for OEM Boge.
When looking at the pet diagram, I do not understand how the spindle/tie rod receiver arm component remove from the strut housing, in order to accept the new strut. Here is a photo of the strut that was shipped to me. the P/N is: F4-P36-0115-HO. I checked the p/n on the Bilstein website, and it states that it is the replacement for the OEM Boge strut.


Does the spindle/tie rod receiver arm component remove from the body? I'm so effin confused.
Am I supposed to disassemble the strut in the photo and only insert the guts (cartridge) and toss the body away? And why am I missing the bottom portion of the strut body that receives the ball joint? I dont see the bottom portion that has the locking pin, washer, and nut to hold the ball joint. Do I have the wrong part?
Any direction to this poor dummy would be greatly appreciated.


Thanks so much for your patients with my rookie assed question,
Paul

[orange911]

It looks like the tie rod attaches to the curved part of the spindle. I would guess that the cartridge rests in the socket of the strut, and the strut attaches to the control arm on the bottom which bolt number 11 goes. Maybe this pic will help.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=7969054423&category=33590

[Chuck Moreland]

That is an insert, not a replacement strut.

Remove the threaded ring labeled "strut cartridge cap" in the right hand picture, then pull the old insert out, then put your new one inside the strut housing.

[HarryD]

You do not need to remove the spindle to replace the strut.

Briefly:

You remove the top bolt of the strut.

Compress the strut and swing the entitre assembly out of the wheel well (be careful not to stretch the brake line)

Remove the dust cover from the strut.

Undo the big nut at the top of housing.

remove the strut (a bunch of oil will come out... it is used to cool the boge strut).

Clean the rest of the oil out of the strut housing.

Put new strut in and tighten nut that attaches the strut to the housing

Compress the new strut (ummmmph)

Swing it back under the wheel well and havew the threaded end stick up through the hole

Replace the dished washer and tighten the nut.

voila, you are done.

[Nine9six]

Ahhhh,
You guys are terriffic! Thanks Chuck, Harry, Olin...
Olin, a picture is certainly worth a thousand words. Now I get it! After seeing your photo, reading Chucks words, and following Harry's direction, I should have no problem.
Thanks so much for shining the light.
Regards,
Paul

[jpahemi]

I heard it's good to leave a little oil in the strut to help transfer some of the heat genarated from the cartride.
J.P.

[HarryD]

I should add that if you are replacing your dead Boges, you may notice that your front ride height will be increased due to the Bilsteins. It happened on mine but since I was getting the car lowered and aligned, I did not mess with it and left it to my shop. It may be prudent to check your fender well heights before you do the change and adjust the front torsion bars as needed to return them to their original settings. Otherwise, get your alignment checked/adjusted.

[Nine9six]

Thanks Harry,
I intend to install turbo tie rods, replace ball joints and assorted fasteners, while I replace the strut inserts. I will have the car aligned and corner balanced when the work is completed.
Paul