Author Topic: Made a Whoopsie during strut install... (Read 4110 times)

BlueBMW · « **on:** February 13, 2010, 10:18:40 PM »

I installed new shocks and struts today.... a job that should've taken a few hours MAX ended up taking most of the day. The first strut I did was giving me trouble with the top nut. Maybe the nut was screwed up, maybe it was the threads... I don't know.. End of the day, the nut stripped out. I ran a die down the strut threads and cleaned them up. Apparently, the strut thread was 12mm 1.25 and I used a 12mm 1.5 to match the oem replacement nut i had. It wasn't too hard to die (although the metal was quite hard) And the final result was decent looking threads. I re-assembled it and it seemed to tighten up just fine... Problem is, I'm super paranoid now.... What is the worst that could happen should that top nut decide to somehow come off? Its kind of a pain taking the whole strut out again... but another strut cartridge is only $30... I drove it home with no trouble at all (and hit some pretty mean potholes too) Any advice?

Also, the car handles and rides amazing now! When I took the old strut cartridges out, there were soaking with oil and I could move the piston anywhere by hand and it would just stay put. They had a BMW stamp on them so I'll assume they're original (200K +!) Same with the rear shocks, they were doing absolutely nothing.

txleadfoot · « **Reply #1 on:** February 14, 2010, 04:05:37 PM »

The struts are immersed in oil to aid in cooling. If the nut comes loose, there may be some clunking noises.

dwtaylorpdx · « **Reply #2 on:** February 14, 2010, 04:13:04 PM »

The nut should be no more likely to come off than it ever was, I personally add a jam nut to my cars as soon as I get them. You can buy 1/2 thickness grade 8 or 12 nuts that are specifically for locking the primary nut down. Cheap easy insurance.... Just remember you did it and dont swap your nuts by accident should you have to work on the struts some day! (Thats sounds painful LOL)

Dave

BlueBMW · « **Reply #3 on:** February 14, 2010, 05:34:20 PM »

I drove the car again today... I cant believe how much of a difference new shocks make. I just gave up my Z4 lease and I thought that car handled really well, now the E30 handles almost as good! No where near the body roll it had and it just hugs the corners like its on rails. I've never driven an E30 with a GOOD suspension before so its kind of a new experience. The legends about E30s handling amazing are true!

4banger · « **Reply #4 on:** February 14, 2010, 05:43:19 PM »

mine needs all new susension. rear shocks do fuck all. you can push the pistons in and they just stay there lol but at 250+k miles you cant expect alot for stock susension.

BlueBMW · « **Reply #5 on:** February 14, 2010, 07:20:35 PM »

The set of KYBs I got were $140 shipped off ebay and they are amazing

(add another $50 for strut mounts and $30 for rear shock mounts)

4banger · « **Reply #6 on:** February 14, 2010, 07:29:45 PM »

i was thinking kyb's or tokio's for shocks and struts and a coilover kit up front from ireland enginering. i'd like coilovers allway around but i dont like the idea of the rear towers supporting the load.

BlueBMW · « **Reply #7 on:** February 14, 2010, 09:31:50 PM »

Yeah those rear towers looked a little thin.