rebuilding RSR struts

[rusnak]

Hi guys, I know some people have Bilstein RSR struts installed.

I think I may be nearing rebuild time, and I am considering my options.

The standard drill is to send your struts in to get rebuilt by a professional shop, and I may go with Smart Racing, since I don't like the long turn around time and vague customer service with Bilstein.

My question is: Is there a strut cartridge inside the strut that can be removed and replaced, similar to the Bilstein sport shocks? It looks like a similar roll pin setup, and if it's possible, it would be really quick and easy to simply buy a strut cartridge, pound out the roll pin, and swap everything and be done in one afternoon, rather than the protracted process of sending in old struts, and have them rebuilt and then sent back. Another benefit is that I would have one extra pair of strut cartridges that could be sent in and re-valved whenever.

I'm not so particular about custom valving, and I think standard sport shock valving would be ok with me. Would this work? Has anyone done this before?

[Chuck Moreland]

The RSR struts accept the same inserts as the regular struts, so yes you can buy new inserts.

Smart sends shocks to bilstein for rebuilding so that isn't going to change the turnaround.

[don911]

I can't answer the rebuild question. Steve Weiner from Rennsport Systems posts on here and can answer your question....and handle your rebuild I'm sure.

My only comment is on valving. As long as you're rebuilding, I would consider custom valving. I bought RSRs from Steve Weiner and had him valve to match the tbars and car weight. My previous struts were Boge with off the shelf Bilstein sport inserts and I can tell you valving makes a big difference.

[rusnak]

ok, thanks.

So when RSR struts are being rebuilt, they take out the strut cartridge, then rebuild it?

Since that is the case, I like the idea of buying new cartridges and roll pins, then sending the old cartridges in for re/building/valving. Why send the whole strut in when you can send in just the cartridge? I also like the idea of having two pairs of cartriges, one in reserve with different valve settings.

[Steve@Rennsport]

Originally Posted by rusnak

ok, thanks.

So when RSR struts are being rebuilt, they take out the strut cartridge, then rebuild it?

Since that is the case, I like the idea of buying new cartridges and roll pins, then sending the old cartridges in for re/building/valving. Why send the whole strut in when you can send in just the cartridge? I also like the idea of having two pairs of cartriges, one in reserve with different valve settings.

This is easy,...

All you need to do is remove the insert and send that off to your "revalver" of choice.

Just get a pair of new roll pins for the reinstallation although I usually use them twice before replacement.

[Jeff Alton]

Steve has had more than one set revalved for me to his specs (based on the info I supplied) and I could not be happier with the results. One set is in my current car and they are fabulous.

My experience suggests that "your revalver of choice" should be Rennsport Systems.....

Cheers

[rusnak]

Hey Steve,

How much does it cost to have my struts rebuilt by Rennsport, not including shipping of course?

Thanks