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

[Ray Tomlinson]

Paul makes a good point, but the fact that 99.09% of us are using the stock
rubber suspension mounts and bushings (as opposed to 2B's spherical mounts &
spherical control arm bushings), and the base of the O.E. Boge's do not
share the same radius as the Bilstein design, assuring perfect centering of
the strut in the housing is, at best, an exercise in fuzzy math.

Further, and given that the Bilstein monotube struts are a single piston,
gas cartridge design, inherent in the design is that the piston will move
relative to the housing.

In my car, without the washers, the bilstein strut sat so low in the housing
that Bilstein's collar could not seat properly on the strut, thus allowing
both the top and the bottom of the strut to move relative to the housing.
The two fender washers thus raised the strut up high enough that the
collar's internal step could properly center the strut relative to the
collar, which is an improvement over the hand-play that existed without the
washers.

Ray

-----Original Message-----
From: s-car-list-bounces at audifans.com
[mailto:s-car-list-bounces at audifans.com]On Behalf Of Paul Gailus
Sent: Monday, January 26, 2004 1:17 AM
To: 'Audi - Scars'
Subject: Re: [s-cars] Blown vs. "loose" Bilstein


Fender washers at the bottom of the strut might help
keep it tight, but it would be best to make sure that
the bottom of the strut insert will still be adequately
centered in the strut housing.

Based on the wear pattern in the paint of some original
Boges, it appears that the bottom of the strut insert
is centered by a narrower ridge or taper in the strut
housing..This wear pattern is a narrow ring about 1.35"
in diameter on the bottom of the insert. The bottom of
the Bilstein has a tapered portion extending out to
about 1.5" diameter that looks like it was designed for
centering purposes.

The tops of the Boges (1.946" dia.) fit snugly in the strut
housing, and the OEM nut only holds them down and
does not center the strut. The bottom of the Boges are 1.912" dia.
The Bilsteins are 1.810" (46mm) diameter top and bottom.
A recess inside the Bilstein nut centers the top of these
narrower strut inserts.
Because the bottoms of the Bilsteins are 0.10" narrower
than  the Boges, it is even more important the that
they be properly centered and held from lateral movement.

Paul

----- Original Message -----
From: Ray Tomlinson <ray at s-cars.org>
To: Darin Nederhoff <editor at s-cars.org>; 'Fred Munro' <munrof at sympatico.ca>;
'Aaron' <aaront at cox-internet.com>; 'Rich Assarabowski' <konecc at snet.net>;
'Audi - Scars' <s-car-list at audifans.com>
Sent: Sunday, January 25, 2004 4:15 PM
Subject: [s-cars] Blown vs. "loose" Bilstein


> 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
>
> _______________________________________________
> S-CAR-List mailing list
> S-CAR-List at audifans.com
> http://www.audifans.com/mailman/listinfo/s-car-list

_______________________________________________
S-CAR-List mailing list
S-CAR-List at audifans.com
http://www.audifans.com/mailman/listinfo/s-car-list