Removing a strut insert - now installing a new one

[Cody Forbes]

Bilstein is different since they use an inverted tube design (the "guts" in inside the chrome bit, the yellow bit is mostly empty) to reduce unsprung weight. This design has an air vent at the bottom. When using Bilsteins it's a very very good idea to drill a small hole in the strut housing at the bottom to let moisture out as many listers have reported dampers getting licked solid when water condensation puddles down there and freezes in the winter blocking the vent. 

Non-Bilstein dampers should have a small quantity of any oil in there to transfer heat to the strut housing.

-Cody (mobile)

On Jul 19, 2011, at 4:57 PM, Jay M <jaybird002 at msn.com> wrote:

> 
> When I did a suspension upgrade on my 911 I spoke to a Bilstein engineer at Bilstein's office and he made it perfectly clear NO OIL was to be used in the strut housing with Bilstein Sport inserts. So, I didn't even think about adding any oil to my struts in my S6 when I went with the Bilstein Sport inserts. I would check with the manufacture of your new shock insert and see if they recommend adding oil to the strut housing. I doubt any modern inserts require oil as a coolant nowadays. I remember reading stories of old school mechanics even using anti-freeze in the struts to supposedly help in cooling.
> 
> 
>> Date: Tue, 19 Jul 2011 16:15:00 -0400
>> From: audi at humanspeakers.com
>> To: radek at istar.ca
>> Subject: Re: Removing a strut insert - now installing a new one
>> CC: quattro at audifans.com
>> 
>> I don't see why. The reason we often see oil in them is that it leaks 
>> out of bad struts, right?
>> 
>> On 7/19/2011 4:00 PM, Radek wrote:
>>> Thanks to all of you guys, I got it to budge. Now soaking it again, in preparation for the final assault.
>>> One thing is bugging me though, thinking about the installation of a new cartridge. Am I supposed to pour oil into the strut housing before sliding the cartridge in? If so, what kind of oil and how much?
>>> Bentley doesn't seem to mention it, unless I missed it.
>>> Thanks.
>>> 
>>> Radek.
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