Loose Bilstein in my strut

[J Smith]

Last winter I installed Bilstein Sports into my Boge struts.

The past 2 days I heard a noise coming from the right front suspension. Did some disassambly today and found the big nut that threads onto the strut and holds the shock in had come loose. I know I gave them some mustard (aka...extra effort) when I installed them with the trusty pipe wrench. Anyone else ever have this happen?

I checked the other side and it was fine. I did use a few drops of blue locktite when I tightened it back up.

[Jim Richards]

Yep. I used a B. F. Pipe Wrench to snug them down.

[J Smith]

Thanks Jim. Well I guess I wussed with the BF pipe wrench. We'll see if it stays put now.

Side bar: I'm really bummed I missed Shenandoah with you crazies. Looked like too much fun. I will definitely catch up with you fellas next year.

[Seeeu911]

Josh, what were the noise sysmptoms of the loose nut ?

[J Smith]

It was sorta like a knocking/banging. What I heard was the shock housing moving up and down inside the strut. Obviously it was most noticable over bumps, mostly low speed because that's when I could hear it. The nut was only a little loose, maybe allowing 1/8" play.