[s-cars] rattling Bilsteins

[Peter Schulz]

Guys:
One of the design shortcomings IMHO of the Bilsteins is that the 
Biltstein Strut cap is asked to do more than just hold the top of the 
strut cartridge in the housing, it also is being used to keep the 
LOWER part of the strut centered in the housing - if you are 
experiencing clunking and the strut is still performing, then its 
moving inside the strut housing.

I have personally started wrapping the lower struts with silicone 
tape or other material to act as a spacer between the housing and the 
outside of the strut...and then tightening the strut cap with a large 
pipe wrench...I know that some folks are even putting loctite on the 
threads of the housing to prevent the loosening of the caps.

-Peter



  At 07:38 PM 4/22/2006, Igor Kessel wrote:
>Lee Levitt wrote:
> > Friend of mine has a stock '95 S6, with rattling Bilsteins. They
> > were installed new in October and started rattling soon after.
> >
> > Indie mechanic stumped.
> >
> > Is this likely to be a bad shock or something else?
> >
> > Thanks,
> >
> > Lee
> >
> >
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>Lee,
>how does this rattling manifest itself? I have recently replaced my
>Bilsteins under warranty and now the right front corner emits a muffled
>clunking noise when going over a bump.
>
>--
>Igor Kessel
>two turbo quattros
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-Peter Schulz
Chelmsford Ma, USA
http://www.naaclub.org/

1991 200 20v Q Avant Titan Grey
1991 200 20v Q Avant Indigo Mica
1991 90 20v Q Red

1990 CQ silver (awaiting S2 engine transplant)
1991 CQ silver  (potentially replacing the 1990 for  the transplant)
1990 CQ red ( to part or not)