bilstein inserts
 

I just installed new bilstein inserts I bought from our host last fall. Took me a while to get around to it, but what can you do, when you spend 2 weeks a month working in China. Anyway, installation went smooth, went for test drive, and it appears I have a now from the front right. I only replaced the fronts. It sounds like the shock is topping out. I checked all other suspension parts, and everything is tight. It only comes from the passenger side. Driver side is fine. Is it possible I got a bad insert, or is this inherent problem with bilsteins. Some insight would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance.

I take it from your post that you now have "a noise" in the front right?
Are you certain that you tightened the strut at the top tightly and/or also threaded the strut gland nut all the way before test driving?
Bilsteins have no inherent problems in them that I have ever heard about and have used them successfully on a couple of my cars.

you are correct. I tightened the top strut nut nice and snug. I checked and double checked.

Are you hearing the noise when the shock rebounds, like after going over a bump? It is possible that the rebound is coming back up hard and topping out the shock on the inside. (like it is overfilled with gas).
Are the shock sports or normal Bilsteins? If they are sports, you might have too much shock for the car. Has your ride height changed?

that is defintiely what I hear. Only happens on the passenger side though. Inserts were not sports. No change in reide height either.

Do you have bilstein or boge struts?

Most likely the insert is not secured properly. A loose gland nut in the case of the boge, improperly installed rollpin in the case of the bilstein.

J,

I would agree with Chuck. I bet the roll pin was not installed right. My guess is the end of the strut is loose, riding on top of the roll pin rather than being anchored by it.

I did the same when I replaced mine 3 yrs ago. However I did it to both sides!!!
When placing the roll pin, the front of the car was on jacks and I did not lift the wheels enough to engage the end of the insert to be locked by the roll pin. When testing over a speedbump, I kept bouncing! Should be a quick fix if this is indeed the problem.

Take Care!!

i thought it might be the roll pin. So I removed and re-installed. I will check again, but I don't get continous bouncing, I just get an annoying knock from the one side. Any other thoughts on what it could be?

Is the cover housing slightly askew? Do you see any rub marks on the body of any of the suspension members that you needed to play with during install? Ball joint ok? Loose item in your boot knocking on the passenger side sheet metal? Pull and wiggle EvErYthing in there and see if its loose... Crossmember and attached A-arm tight? *shrug* ok I'm out of ides now...

Best regards,

Michael

When mine made a noise it was a loose gland nut. You really have to get that tightened properly without squeezing it with vise grips or something.

I had (have) a right front knocking noise that turned out to be the torsion bar adjusting lever knocking on (in) the crossmember. With the car on jackstands and the wheel off, reach in and see if the adjusting lever moves around and knocks on the crossmember. It is tight on the end of the t-bar so it is the cap and t-bar end moving together. I haven't figured out the specific cause yet, let alone a fix, but my theory is a slightly worn crossmember surface where the adjusting lever rests. Might have something to do with the car being lowered too. Anyway, just another guess for you to add to the list of things to check:)

Thanks for the input. I have checked all the suspension parts, no rubbing or knocking anywhere else. It defintiely appears to be the insert itself. Rebound appears to be the problem. Roll pin is inserted correctly, just seems to top out making the dreaded knock. I am going to double check again. I will keep you posted.

At least for the Boge replacement inserts, I thought there was a Bilstein tool that is to come included with the inserts. I've got a picture somewhere and seem to recall it has a sq. hole for a breaker bar or torque wrench.

thanks for all the input. I guess third time is a charm. I pulled the insert agian and re-installed. Problem solved. No more knock, just smooth buttery goodness. Still not really sure what the problem was. Mayebe a combination of things, but it all good now. Thanks for everyones help.

[IMG]http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1183388327.jpg [/IMG]

Here is the picture of bilstein tool.