[s-cars] Blown vs. "loose" Bilstein

[Ray Tomlinson]

Let's not forget that the Bilsteins are gas-pressurized, and the RED
oil/grease you see on the piston is lube for the piston, not a "leaky"
bilstein.  A blown Bilstein will not rebound.

Also, there have been several complaints from many listers, myself included,
commenting on a "clunk" deriving from Bilstein's "cap nut" collar that
Bilstein uses to affix the strut in the housing.  This collar does not
thread down tight enough with the Bilstein tool to stop the "clunking".

One solution I have found quite successful is to place 2 large fender
washers in the bottom of the strut housing, which raises the strut up enough
to be held better in place by Bilsteins shitty nut collars.  Then, throw
away Bilstein's tool and use the proper tool for tightening the collars
down - a pair of Blue Point 340mm channel locks.  You know, the biggest pair
known to man.  I have successfully tightened these collars a solid 2-3
additional turns beyond Bilstein's crappy tool, which cures the clunk.

Ray Tomlinson
Boston