[s-cars] rattling Bilsteins

[Igor Kessel]

Peter Schulz wrote:
> 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)
> 
> 
> 

Many thanks to Peter Schultz and Bruce Bell for precisely pinpointing 
where the problem lies.

It was indeed the loose top Bilstein cap/nut. I took the top trinagular 
mount off the strut and found out a slight play in both the axial and 
the radial directions. I must have turned the cap the additional 1/8 to 
1/4 turn and now the clunk is almost gone. I am certain that whatever 
the minor clunk remains it can be attributed to the residual radial play 
  of the shock absorber insert in the bottom part of the strut tube. I 
intend to remove it and wrap up its end with Teflon tape.

Stay tuned.

-- 
Igor Kessel
two turbo quattros