STRUT ISSUE...Arrrrggh!

[trentwat]

PLEASE HELP!!! I rebuilt the front-end of my '88 911 Carerra...New or refurbed everything...The large nut that holds the shock insert in the Strut keeps backing off (3 times now on the Driver's side)!

When I installed the new Bilstein sport shock inserts (Boge Struts), I didn't have the special tool to crank the large nut onto the Strut housing. So I did it as best as I could. The "nut" backed off, but I thought I had just under torqued it.

A buddy and I really cranked on it with Big Azz Channel Locks...but it backed of again...

After sourcing the special too locally, I tried it again...the tool wasn't a perfect fit, but we got it on there tighter than the first two times...IT STILL BACKED OFF!!!

I am at my wits end, but don't really want to pay a shop at this point...Any ideas?

-Trent

[MotoSook]

Get a pipe wrench.

[mede8er]

I have an earlier car, but my Bilstiens have a lock washer....did yours???

[Rot 911]

What Souk said. Seriously.

[trentwat]

Lock Washer? I don't recall seeing one, but the original install was in the Summer...where would it go?

[trentwat]

Could it be that simple (Pipe Wrench)? The other side seems to be fine after the original install...

[old man neri]

I used a pipe wrench on mine. Still working fine. There was no lock washer on mine ('88 with boge originally)

[jonbot]

I used a very large electric impact gun, did the trick.

[old man neri]

Originally Posted by jonbot

I used a very large electric impact gun, did the trick.

He is talking about the big nut/retaining ring/collar that threads onto the actual strut housing. Not the nut at the top.

[Nine9six]

Mine did the same thing, but only loosened up once. Some thread lock and big channel locks did the trick for me.

[jhelgesen]

I had the same issue. Turns out I had the wrong struts in the insert. The insert may be 3-4mm too short for your housing as the nut on the strut tube is supposed to compress the insert to the bottom. I ended up putting a 4mm thick steel spacer (big washer) in the bottom of the housing, then tightening the nut. Hasn't come loose since.

I got this solution after reading all the part numbers of what I had to a tech at Bilstein in Charlotte, they were very helpful. It was either that or replace the inserts.