Fluid in front struts

[rw7810]

When I changed from Boge to Koni front inserts years ago, I found fluid in the bottom of the front struts. I later read that antifreeze was often put in there for heat dissipation. Do people still do that ??

[EarlyPorsche]

People put motor oil in there. I did it because it also made a very nice tight fit. I don't know if its necessary though.

[aj88cab]

You will get mixed opinions on this. The factory Boge struts used the strut housing as the "shock tube". The fluid you found was the hydraulic oil that provides the shock dampening. Some folks like to leave some of the oil in there for heat dissapation. When I installed my Bilstein inserts I called the factory and they said it was not needed. I assume the same would apply to the Koni inserts. I have never heard of using anti-freeze though.

[bkreigsr]

I'm pretty sure the instructions that came with the old, full-hydraulic Konis and the factory manuals both say to add anti-freeze to prevent corrosion and help dissipate heat.

Might be just superstition, but I've always done it on the long nose.

Bill K

(also, Bilstein never made a full hydraulic insert)