Bilstein question

[ken martin]

Per Wayne's book the front shocks should have a roll pin? I can't find one on mine... Does this mean I can't install new inserts and have to replace the entire shock,or is there something else? It's a '76...
thanks
km

[Bill Verburg]

Is it a Bilstein strut?

[ken martin]

I assume it is by the green color?

[masraum]

Is the top green and the bottom another color? Or is the whole thing green?

Does the top (where the shaft comes out) look like a giant nut or something that could be unscrewed?

You either have Bilsteins and you just aren't looking in the right place for the rolled pin (since you have pictures in the book this seems unlikely) or possibly you have boge struts that a PO has put Bilsteins inserts in already, so the dust cover is green and maybe the bottom is black.

Or as a third option maybe someone thought that green struts looked cool and painted them which actually is a possibility.

It's almost certain that you can replace the inserts, but if you have Bilstein inserts for Bilstein struts then you could need different inserts if you need Bilstein inserts for Boge struts.

I guess that's 1 major issue with both Wayne's book, and, I think, the Bentleys. Both books show the replacement procedure for Bilsteins, but neither show Boge replacement which is a little different.

[Bill Verburg]

Bilseins are green or yellow, but people have been known to paint the struts.

If it's a Bilstein strut the roll pin is there

[Bill Verburg]

Here is a pic of what you should see if you have Bilstein struts