Which Strut Insert Do I Need
 

I finally had a few minutes to take a look at my front strut. I need to know what insert to get. I understand there are different Bilstein inserts for Boge cartridges depending on whether the strut is either internally or externally threaded. The strut on my '86 has threads on the outside of the strut.....which insert is used? It took a really long time for the insert to extend after it was compressed. Is that an indication that this thing is shot? Also, which lines should be disconnected to ensure they are not stressed when I swing the strut from under the fender?

I removed the strut cover just for the photo.

Thanks.

Mike http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1268444580.jpg
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Looks like you have a Boge strut housing. If you go with Bilstein, you need the inserts designed for that housing. I have an 86 also, but my front strut housing had external threads. I ordered the Bilstein sports and they came with two caps, one for an externally threaded housing and one for an internally threaded housing.

You need to remove the clip holding the metal brake line (to the left of the strut in your bottom pic) and push it through the hole from right to left. This will give you more room to swing the strut housing out.

You should also pull the line attached to the strut off its housing (best seen in your center pic) as well as the one in the lower right of your top pic. You don't need to disconnect them, just pull them off their housing. That should be it.

BTW, I did not use the bump stops on my new strut, the old ones would not fit and the new one didn't come with any. There's a thread on this not too far away.

Any thoughts on the merits of Boge inserts versus Bilstein? The price difference between the 2 is pretty dramatic to the point I am wondering of they are worth the extra coin (car is just a weekend driver, not autoX or tracked), or, am I being penny wise?

Mike

After removing the clip from the brake line, I am still unable to swing the strut housing from under the fender. I only have one side lifted up. Does the front end need to be level?

Thanks.

Mike

Stupid question, but are you compressing the insert when you do this, or does it not swing out enough, period? I did the same as you, one side at a time, not level.

No problem compressing the insert, in fact, after I removed the large collar like nut, the insert does nothing but compress...guess they need to be replaced now. No, the problem is that it does not swing out far enough. Should the wheel be turned left or right?

Mike

That depends on which side you are working...If you're working the left, turn the steering wheel to the right. This should allow you to compress the strut and swing things out from under the fender.
Hope this helps...

My new strut inserts arrived tonight and, St. Paddy's Day be damned, I decided to dive in and replace my worn out Boge inserts. I found that the Boge insert is destroyed once the nut that holds it in place is loosened; I assume that the nut creates a seal. In any event, removing the cartridges was not that hard, other the mess from the oil. However, compressing the new insert was a bear once it was under the fender, although I got better at it the third time...on the right side, i placed the rubber washer (1/8" thick) that came with the strut under the nut at the top of the strut and tightened it down, only to find that it was totally deformed and no longer under the nut...I assume it is supposed to go under the strut cover to make a slight cushion between the cover and the strut itself...any thoughts there?

Mike