are my struts worn out?

Lucky · 10-06-2002, 05:57 AM

I've recently been getting some noises and clunking from the front suspension, so I took the wheels off Yesterday to check things out. I was worried about ball joints given Bento's recent failure!

The only thing amiss I could find was that a tug on the struts (pulling outward near the top of the lower half) resulted in some visible movement (probably 1 - 2 mm). It felt like the movement was within the strut. It felt like the inserts were able to move around within the strut housing -- it did not feel like the insert itself was responsible for the play. I guess I won't be able to tell for sure until I disassemble a strut. But before I do so, I need to know what to look for.

I know very little about struts of any sort, so I need some help and guidance. Is a small amount of movement normal? Is there something I can tighten that will reduce or eliminate the movement? Are there wear items that hold the inserts in place? Or are the inserts probably shot?

Both sides of the car exhibited the same very slight movement. Inserts are Koni adjustables. Car is an '86 Carrera with ~87k miles. The inserts are about 7 years and 45k miles old. Many of those miles are spirited driving on track and twisties, so the struts have been worked hard!!

daloff · 10-06-2002, 06:24 AM

When you drive the car, other than the noise, if the handling does not feel as it used to or what you are used to, there is a good chance the struts may need replacement. There generally is no in between, either they are working properly or they are "dead".

David

Lucky · 10-06-2002, 08:08 AM

Front shocks work fine... no bouncing. And since they are Konis, I can adjust the firmness. The only apparent issue is movement and occasional noises.

Chris Bunker · 10-06-2002, 09:30 AM

Lucky-
I just came across this same issue with the Boge struts and Bilstein inserts on my 78. There is a big ring nut on top of the strut that holds the insert in place. Mine loosened. It felt like really loose wheel bearings and was very noticable while driving.
If you take off the top nut of the insert (the big one accessed from under the hood) you can then pull the rod down so that you can pull the top of the insert outside the wheelwell and remove the dust tube. The loose ring nut should then be revealed to you.

RazorRacer · 10-06-2002, 09:42 AM

When you push up and down, repeatedly, on the car above the wheel does it sound like this?

suspension noise

Lucky · 10-06-2002, 12:25 PM

Razorracer -- Jeez, no. Nothing as bad as that. I do have some noise due to plastic bushings. The thing that bothers me is play in the struts... should I have ANY? Is 1-2mm normal? When I pull on the strut, I see the top of the brake rotor move out about 1mm, so I figure I'm getting almost 2mm movement at the top of the strut body.

Chris -- you may be on to something, I do notice some movement in the front suspension (not unlike a loose wheel bearing) when loading up at certain times. I'll take things apart this week and check the nut you describe.

Lucky · 10-08-2002, 04:55 PM

I took the strut inserts out a few minutes ago... here's what I found. The movement I was able to feel when tugging on the strut is all within the insert. Does that mean they are toast?

I've heard Konis don't last too long, so I don't think I'll be replacing these with another set of Konis.

I have 22mm front torsion bars (29 in back), and want a shock that matches well with that much spring and generally spirited street and track driving. I also have 22mm adjustable anti-roll bars front and rear. My wife almost never rides in the car since it is a bit too raw for her tastes, so I don't really need a comfy ride... maximum handling over comfort is fine by me.

What do y'all recommend for replacements? Please recommend front and rear, as I may as well replace the Konis in the back, too.

Bill Douglas · 10-08-2002, 05:01 PM

Razor, I couldn't stop laughing, that sound file sounded like the couple in the next room at the hotel last week

RazorRacer · 10-08-2002, 06:03 PM

Lucky, sorry to butt in on your thread like this. I really don't know if your struts are toast or not. I'd replace them with Bilsteins based on what little I know.

Bill, glad to put a smile on your mug. Have you heard this one.

Lucky · 10-08-2002, 06:16 PM

No problem, razor. I'm enjoying the sound clips. Funny!

Back to my question. I'll be buying Bilstein. I've been reading a bunch of old threads and everyone seems to like the Bilsteins. Just need to decide if I do HD or Sports up front. I'm assuming I should do the Sports in the rear.

Anyone have Sports in the front and wish they didn't?

How about the other way around... anyone have HDs in the front and wish for a bit more damping?

Thanks!

marcesq · marcesq's Garage

John:

It seems to me that I remember something about our front struts in that if Konis came on the car, no other brand is compatable. I have Konis as well and when I looked into replacing them (which I have yet to do) the only thing I could put in were Konis.

I don't think that this changed for your year, but I might be wrong.

Regards,

Lucky · 10-08-2002, 06:55 PM

Hi Marc,

My car has the Boge struts. The Koni inserts are now sitting on the garage floor where they belong!

BTW, Marc, thanks for the inspiration... I now have a compressor and some air tools! They make jobs like taking the front suspension apart quite fun!!

Vipergrün · 07:39 AM

Lucky,

I have the Bilstein sports on all four corners and I like them a lot. I have 22/27 T-bars and the ride is fine. I also performed the modification to the rubber bump stop, which can be found at

www.smart-racing.com/pdf's/Rubber%20Front%20Shock.pdf

and

www.smart-racing.com/pdf's/Rubber%20Rear%20Shock.pdf

A lot of folks seem to prefer the HD's up front and the Sports in the rear. Perhaps an authoritative word from Bilstein is in order.