Stumped - Hood shocks/struts

[E24Mark]

1988 M6, 7-87 build. I researched all of the above and ordered Stabilus SG302007 (drivers side) and 2003 (passenger side) from Autohausaz.com. Replaced the driver side first. No problem. Go to replace the passenger side. The new shock is 2-3" shorter than the one I removed. Turns out when I lay both old shocks side-by-side, they are exactly the same length except the drivers side has 2 holes on the base of the cylinder and the longer of the two holes was being used (maybe shorter hole is for a different application?).

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-_Bn_eC-C3fM/T5HNenBuqvI/AAAAAAAAAT4/Ajbl53V2j_w/s512/photo%25203.JPG

Looking at the stampings on the case of the cylinder, they don't appear to be OEM

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-7N9iOJSl9MU/T5HNksGnuzI/AAAAAAAAAUA/YIIvZ26XDmI/s512/photo%25204.JPG
https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-FN69BrDJ8-I/T5HNotGE-QI/AAAAAAAAAUI/OdaStDe9Bxk/s512/photo%25205.JPG

Not sure these photos are legible.

The other interesting thing that a fellow 6er here in Chicago noticed, that I posted once before is the presence of a security cable tethered to the mounting points of each shock. But the fellow who noticed it, who owns the same year ///M as mine, said he's never seen it before.

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-3mDOMdcC-tA/T5HNYCQY9aI/AAAAAAAAATw/T-PuFLOomVk/s512/photo%25202%2520%25282%2529.JPG
https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-a6K1bExzkxU/T5HNQWie4aI/AAAAAAAAATo/BiAqGn-u5Hk/s512/photo%25201%2520%25283%2529.JPG

So I'm inclined to order another shock, same as the drivers side, but thought I'd check in with the brain-trust first. Stabilus doesn't have any specs/applications online that I could find and I checked in with one of their US distributors but the product genius was helping other customers. Any ideas? Thanks in advance.

Best - Mark

[volac]

Yeah I've never seen a security cable like that on a 6er. My guess is they're just struts not meant for a 6er, but modified to fit (drill holes, security cable so it doesn't hyperextend the hood, etc).

Here's the link to the ones I bought recently, and they work perfectly. They're the 2003s
http://www.autohausaz.com/search/product.aspx?sid=j15fwk55rpfg04jx0ndbk1ys&partnumber=51231869147

I know our cars aren't the same year, but I'm pretty sure that hood shocks remained unchanged.

[RSheiman]

I saw the two different sizes listed as well and was confused. I went and looked at my 88M6 and saw they were the same size so I went with two driver's sides and they seem to fit perfectly. Of course there was doubt till I put them in.

[Badgas]

It all depends on the mounting point on the fenders. If both are in the same place, one size (the shorter ones) gets them both. If the passenger side fender mount is different than the driver's side, IE lower you have your answer. The longer, passenger side one is the more expensive one IIRC.

[E24Mark]

So Rob - you have 88 ///M and seem to agree both shocks are the same?! Confirm please - you seem to have experienced this?!

Badgas -
one size (the shorter ones) gets them bothActually the longer one from the drivers side seems to be the ticket for both sides. Thoughts?

Best - Mark

[SUABBYM6]

I know you're dealing w/ the 88M but on the 87 the hood struts are 2 different lengths with the left being about 2" shorter.

[RSheiman]

see below from autohaus az. Location of mounting points on fender and hood are the same on both sides for my 88 M6.

SG302003
http://www.autohausaz.com/secure/PartImages/SG302003.jpg (javascript:openpopup('./imageexpand.aspx?imageurl=../secure/PartImages/SG302003.jpg','Window2','500','400'))

Stabilus-Boge (http://www.autohausaz.com/html/brandnames.html) OEM
Shock/Strut, Hood; Left/Right
For right side only on M6 models. 2 per car.

[E24Mark]

Unless I find new evidence, I'm going with Rob and my own intuition. Thanks guys.

[RSheiman]

Just make sure attachment points are same location etc on both driver and passenger side. R

[E24Mark]

Well, deed is done. As Rob mentions, same size strut both sides. Stabilus SG302003 - the longer of the two. Perfect fit. No more accidental closures on my head. Thanks guys.

[Layne]

M cars have 2 different shocks due to the airbox getting in the way and requiring one mounting point to be moved. If I recall, a 635 uses the same shock on both sides as the M's use on the passenger side.

[E24Mark]

M cars have 2 different shocks due to the airbox getting in the way and requiring one mounting point to be moved. If I recall, a 635 uses the same shock on both sides as the M's use on the passenger side. Well, interesting! Suabby's 87 takes two different length shocks. Sounds like he knows because he's swapped them out. Rob and I have 88's and we've both installed a pair of equal length shocks and they worked. Layne posts above, so my curiosity caused be to visit the garage and lift the hood.

The mounting point locations on the top side of the fender mounting rails and the bottom side of the hood are identical on both sides. On the passenger side the shock seems to rest nicely (when closed) between the air box, fuse box and the fender mounting rail. No new welds or broken paint of the bolt heads. I'm guessing there was some kind of changeover between 87 and 88. My 88 was an early build - 7/87.

Hmmm . . . . .

[RSheiman]

Glad t worked out.