1986 911 Targa front Boge strut question

barrys1948 · 05-25-2015, 11:13 AM

I am trying to replace the front strut cartridge inserts, however the struts on my car look like the entire strut has to be replaced as there does not appear to be a way to remove the strut cartridge insert. The strut is a Boge strut. Just above where the strut is attached to the wheel there is a retaining collar that looks like it is press fit to the cartridge that keeps the bottom of the cartridge in place (unlike the pin for a Bilstrien insert). I have seen on various parts websites that Boge struts have replaceable cartridge inserts. The cost difference is huge. $700 - $800 per strut about $135 per insert. Just not sure how they are replaced.

Oldporsche · 05-25-2015, 12:23 PM

Slide your finger around the collar. If you feel a notch in the surface, it's for a thing called a spanner wrench or hook type wrench. Some inserts are held in the tube with this threaded collar. The rest have threads on the inserts. A lot of DIY owners simply remove with a pipe wrench. Block car, remove wheel, apply pipe wrench with cheater extension.

Oldporsche · 05-25-2015, 12:25 PM

The insert tubes have different threads depending upon the manufacturer.

DRACO A5OG · DRACO A5OG's Garage

Can you post a pic.

Also make sure you read the BOGE part# to insure you get the correct insert, My PO swapped spindle assembly with a Club Sport, nice but messed my order up and had to return the correct OEM part for a proper part for the uped housing.

Club Sport Spindle / Strut Assembly

OEM -'85.5 Insert for Standard Spindle/Strut Assembly

'86+ / Club Sport Insert

cabmandone · cabmandone's Garage

You need to remove the nut in the "frunk" that holds the strut rod in place, loosen the gland nut (last pic posted by Draco. It will probably look different and depending on the year of your car it will either have internal or external threads. You'll need to loosen your tie rod nut and remove the tie rod from the control arm. Once you've done that, you pull down on the dust cap and compress the strut. Once the strut is compressed, you pivot it out of the wheel well and then pull the insert out of the strut housing. BE CAREFUL, you should put some tape and a blanket on your fender in the event you accidentally bump the strut into the fender.

I believe what you are calling the cartridge is actually your strut housing. The insert is inside the housing. Hope this helps.

barrys1948 · 05-26-2015, 06:14 AM

Here are the pictures. The picture of the new insert shows a round nut that came with it. Maybe it threads onto the strut housing to hold the insert in place. Not sure.

GeorgeK · 05-26-2015, 08:37 AM

Look at the upper end of the strut. There should be a *large* cap threaded into the strut. The 22mm hex nut on the chromed rod end goes in the frunk.

cabmandone · cabmandone's Garage

Quote:

Originally Posted by barrys1948

Here are the pictures. The picture of the new insert shows a round nut that came with it. Maybe it threads onto the strut housing to hold the insert in place. Not sure.

That lower bolt is what holds the housing to the ball joint. The large nut is the "gland nut" that holds the insert in the housing. You need to be certain what style gland nut your car has. I don't recall which way it goes but some have internal thread while others have a external gland nut thread. Look at the pics Draco posted. The green Bilstein has a gland nut for internal thread. The other has a pic of a external threaded gland nut. It was all dependent on year of manufacture. If you really want to be sure, use my instructions and remove the dust cover from the top of your strut and look. If you jack the front up enough you might be able to see your glad nut and determine which style you have without removing the dust cover.

Read this: http://www.pelicanparts.com/techarticles/101_Projects_Porsche_911/63-Shocks/63-Shocks.htm

It should clear things up for you.