Recent purchasers of Bilstein HD strut inserts.

[Napes]

I recently received Bilstein HD front strut inserts that came with instructions on installing the plastic ring that secures the bottom of the dust cover to the shock.

But, the inserts did not come with the plastic ring. I contacted BavAuto, where I had purchased the shocks and they contacted Bilstein.

This was the reply I got from Bob Weeks at BavAuto: "I contacted Bilstein to see what was going on with this order and they have informed me that they are no longer offering the white ring for the strut. I’m not sure when they stopped offering it but unfortunately I will not be able to get them for you. I also pointed out that the fitting notes in the struts point the rings out as necessary for installation and they reiterated that it is a component that is not available."

I guess the dust covers just hang loose for dust and moisture to go right up under them.

I'd like to know what others have experienced in purchasing Bilsteins. Did yours come with, or without, the plastic ring that goes at the bottom of the dust cover?

Bob Napier

[mfbanres]

Hey Bob,

I installed mine a few months ago....no ring. They just hang loose, same as the rear shocks.

Michael

[Slightly Larger Roundies]

I purchased in Feb from Bavauto and mine appear to have them. Why would Bilstein discontinue if it is a necessary part? Strange.

[codigoRojo]

I ordered mine from IE maybe last summer or a little before and no rings were included. Been running them loose ever since with no problems. Didn't bother asking for new rings. -Rojo

[M3M3M3]

I purchased in Feb from Bavauto and mine appear to have them. Why would Bilstein discontinue if it is a necessary part? Strange.

those look like rear shock, not front inserts. there was never a ring for the rears. the dust cover just hangs.

fronts have accordian style covers. ring slips over strut tube to hold bottom of the cover down. just put a big zip tie around the bottom and you will be fine without the ring.

[Ravensix]

I ordered sport from IE, and had the same issue. Called them about it, because I wanted to have a tight sealed dust boot. (you know how crappy AZ dust can be) anyway, IE says they just let them hang loose, and haven't had issues. Clamps won't work because the boot would deform and bind.

So then I contacted Bilstein directly and had them look up the specific part numbers for both the HD and the Sport... The rep I spoke with said they don't come with it (didnt ask if they used to) and it is acceptable to let them hang out without a clamp. I feel like when the car finally sits and sags down, the dust boot will push up against the lower cup of the strut tube and create a good enough seal. Only time will tell.

[jgerock]

No retainers for the boots when I got mine from BavAuto in June 2010

[BillWilliams]

I installed a set of HD and a set of sports in 2006 - 2007 and neither had the white ring

[Buckeye]

I just finished installing Blistein HD on mine this week. In my opinion, Blistein instruction is bit out of date. Was the blue booth was already installed on strut piston with strap? Mine was, therefore after ring nut was torque down to 95 ft- lb, then installed the booth right on the shaft collar. You want to order ring nut tool (E4-MS08/7), which is about $5 from Blistein to do the job

[M3M3M3]

Clamps won't work because the boot would deform and bind.

not correct. letting them hang is fine, but you can put a tie wrap or hose clamp around the bottom flat area of the boot at the bottom in Jim's picture. the area is below the gland nut and the accordian style of the boot is designed to expand and contract without binding. this is how the white ring being talked about here works. it is placed below the gland nut and the first fold of the accordion sets around the ring.

at least that is how it works on the many sets of billy's i have installed in bmw's....;-)

[c.d.iesel]

.....no "rings" with mine either ordered back in 1999

don't need the rings

when the car is down, the boots fully cover the tubes.

[Ravensix]

Clamps won't work because the boot would deform and bind.

not correct. letting them hang is fine, but you can put a tie wrap or hose clamp around the bottom flat area of the boot at the bottom in Jim's picture. the area is below the gland nut and the accordian style of the boot is designed to expand and contract without binding. this is how the white ring being talked about here works. it is placed below the gland nut and the first fold of the accordion sets around the ring.

at least that is how it works on the many sets of billy's i have installed in bmw's....;-)

you could clamp it, but it would deform the boot at the site of the clamp. i've tried clamping it to the gland nut since it was the widest thing in the area, but it binds up. the plastic ring is a little wider than the gland nut, and you're right about the boot slipping and catching on the ring. I would have clamped mine for the sake of a tighter seal, but the thought of the boot being deformed under the clamp really bothered me for some reason. I think I was misunderstood.

[Napes]

Ravensix: I'd like to communicate with you off-line. If you don't mind contact me thru my email button above with your contact info.

Bob Napier

[prezucha]

Answered my own question...  pulled the blue dust cap off and the Bilstein comes with it's own nut.  I guess the Bilstein tool is pretty much needed to properly torque the nut...  Does anyone know where to buy this tool in the Bay area?  I've exhausted normal routes...  It's Bilstein part number is E4-MS08-7.  And looks like the photo...

 

 

Thanks!

 

 

Hi all,

Just installing new Bilstein's front shocks and have probably a silly question...  Does this nut not get used for the Bilsteins?  The car had Koni's on it and they worked differently and the nut made sense.  With the Bilsteins it doesn't... What am I missing.  Thanks in advance!  Paul

[roadhog0]

Just get a pipe wrench out... It works fine. As long as they're tight, they wont come loose. (PS. This was getting the original nut off, not my use of a cheater bar as a torque spec....)