Question on Front Shock Replacement, Boge To Bilstein
 

I just replaced the front shocks on my '83 SC and I noticed that when I installed the Bilstein shocks into the existing Boge struts, I was unable to tighten down the threaded retainining ring fully. While the threads are fully engaged, it seems that the ring could engage about 1/8" deeper.

It seems like the shock is sitting a little high in the strut. Could there be debris at the bottom of the strut making this shock not full seated? I am inclined to take the shocks apart again and investigate. Has anyone else encountered this?

Thanks in advance for any comments and guidance.

I have Bilstein inserts in Boge struts. I have a few threads showing on the outside of the strut body. The inserts seated fine and the Bilstein gland nuts torqued to spec with no issues and have stayed tight for around 5k miles.

What makes you think the cartridges aren't fully inserted? Tight is tight. I wouldn't worry about a few threads peeking out from under the gland nut if I knew I had plenty of thread engagement and proper torque reading. -J

Yup, totally normal, the retainer is not supposed to bottom out. You are fine.

Thanks guys!

Bilstein inserts come in 2 flavors - one type for Bilstein struts, and another for Boge struts. It sounds like you may have the wrong kind for your strut housing.

What is the best way to know which strut set up you have and which one you should replace it with?

The strut housings were originally painted different colors. Black for Boge, red for Koni and green for Bilstein.

bilstein struts don't have gland nuts.

I am not meaning to thread jack at all but as a reference these would be Koni Struts?

http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2812/8...3fd53d00_c.jpg
IMG_0975 by Mr.Sparkitle, on Flickr