Help please 525i strut inserts

[hchad18]

I am working on my nieces 525i BMW 4 door sedan. The struts are shot. Autozone and BAP both have cartridges for the 525i but they are different from what I have. A local BMW dealership ran the vin and said I don't have sport suspension. The cartridges they give me are smaller in diameter an taper smaller towards the rod, where the ones I have get bigger towards the rod and fit snug in the strut tube. Any input would be appreciated as I know nothing about BMW's and its been blocking my 71 c-10 in the garage now for a week.


Chad

[TGreene]

Different production dates have different mounting designs, although I don't know if that would mean the cartidges have different diameters.

If I were you, I would write down the date and month of production found on the driver's door jam, and email customer support at pelicanparts.com. They will tell you what you need. They have good prices, and excellent customer service. They ship out of Southern California if I remember correctly.

[scoops]

first look at this (u have version three, PN -31 33 1 139 452)

http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum/showthread.php?p=15841628

then go here

http://www.bavauto.com/

or here

http://www.pelicanparts.com/bmw/catalog/shopcart/BE34_catalog.htm

or here

http://www.autohausaz.com/index.html

etc.

and buy them and wait a day or two. i vote bilstein, so do many others.

and then go here (if u need help D I Ying)

http://www.bmw4life.com/suspensionLowellFA.htm

and then go here and enjoy

http://fc03.deviantart.net/fs20/f/2007/281/5/c/Nurburgring_1280x1024_by_ilPoli.jpg

[darren1284]

I just replaced my stock strut cartridges with Bilstein touring cartridges and I noticed that the stock inserts had a very snug fit in the strut housing and the Bilsteins were rather loose. I was sure these were the right parts, so I just tightened the collar down and it is just fine. Just be sure it is tightened enough so that it isn't moving around.

As long as you have the right strut insert that fits the appropriate upper strut mount (see the sites already mentioned), you should be fine.

[hchad18]

This all helped immensely. I now have part number and hopefully will be ordering this week. Thanks

[KBHumphrey]

OP,

Scoops has the most detailed, intensive and rewarding DIY. Follow his instructions TO. THE. LETTER.

Especially that last part...

[darren1284]

If it has an allen wrench fitment on the end, Bavarian autosport shows you how to do it in one of their newsletters. Go to their website and then search around the quarterly newsletters. It has some good pictures