View Full Version : Strut housing help Please
The picture instructions on how to install Koni front strut is a little confusing.
After you take out your old strut housing, how far down from the top of the old strut you suppose to cut. Any help is appreciated.
Thanks
fourfa
03-09-2002, 01:19 AM
I did about 1/3 of an inch, worked fine. I think I pounded the strut cap off first, that makes it easier.
jayhudson
03-09-2002, 09:24 AM
I'd do as little as possible. On mine, there wasn't much housing for the serrated edge of the insert to bite into. I almost cut too much off. You can alwys cut more, but it's hard to add it back on.
Jay
Justin(OKC)
03-09-2002, 10:24 PM
Did you attempt the fronts by yourself:eek: I have actually done inserts on another car but I have no real idea how they are done on the M3. My Koni's came to me already assembled. I don't know if they are inserts in the M3 body or not but the entire body is painted yellow. I went by Phen's place today about 3:00 or so and didn't see your car there so I drove on by. I hope you get it all worked out.
bimmer95
03-10-2002, 01:22 AM
1cm down is perfect.
jayhudson
03-10-2002, 10:56 AM
bimmer95 -
I'm sure you speak from personal experience and I know you give good advice. But, If I'd cut 1cm off my struts ('97) there would not have been enough left on the strut housing for the top of the insert to press into. I would have had to machine the threaded end of the shock to make it shorter.
I cut so little off mine that I actually sawed into the top cap of the factory strut. Even with that, the serrated edges of my inserts don't go completely into the housing. Only about 1/8". There's not much room for error. At least in my case.
Jay
Justin(OKC) Me and my friend did it, It was quite easy once you know how far down you suppose to cut the old housing off.
We cut about 1/4 inch off after that insert the new strut in screw in the bottom and we're done. It took us 2 hr to do both fronts strut. The longest part was sawing the housing.
The car ride good as new firm, but very giving when going over bump and rough roads.
Thanks for all you guys help.
Justin(OKC)
03-10-2002, 04:37 PM
I got my front strut assemblies back on today with the swaybars. I could not use the urethane bushings on the front bar because they just wouldn't work. I'm going to have to try to figure out what the deal is with the guy I bought them from. My car is LOW, LOW, LOW right now. I will probably raise it up but I have adequate travel so far at the lowest setting. I can't wait to see your car, man.
Originally posted by Justin(OKC)
I got my front strut assemblies back on today with the swaybars. I could not use the urethane bushings on the front bar because they just wouldn't work. I'm going to have to try to figure out what the deal is with the guy I bought them from. My car is LOW, LOW, LOW right now. I will probably raise it up but I have adequate travel so far at the lowest setting. I can't wait to see your car, man.
Wow I like the sound of LOW, LOW, LOW.....
I wish I can go that low on mine, but with hamann splitter no way I can get around breaking it off. We need to meet up on one of this nice weather. I'm glad you front strut work out well. I want to check out you car too.
Justin(OKC)
03-10-2002, 08:25 PM
so we should meet. Do you go to BMWCCA meetings? I know there is a club here but I don't know anything about it. As for my car being low, let's just say that I can't clear parking stops or curbs right now and I don't even have the regular M-technic front lip. I would bet that your splitter would be about 2-3" from the ground on my car.
Originally posted by Justin(OKC)
so we should meet. Do you go to BMWCCA meetings? I know there is a club here but I don't know anything about it. As for my car being low, let's just say that I can't clear parking stops or curbs right now and I don't even have the regular M-technic front lip. I would bet that your splitter would be about 2-3" from the ground on my car.
I'm not sure about BMWCCA meetings here in OKC, I know Tulsa always have something going on for BMWCAA members. Check your BMWCCA news letter I know there's is something coming up soon, but I don't remember what.
Are you going to add any splitter to your car. I bet it will look mean as hell if you do.
LUNI2NZ,
Why do you think that the serrated edges of the strut should bite into the housing? I would say you didn't cut enough of the strut housing off. The bolt and washer in the bottom of the housing is what secures the strut inside the housing. The only thing you have to be careful of is not to cut off so much that the dust cap doesn't fit back on top of the strut housing.
Damn, I forgot to put back the dust cap.
I wonder if is ok witout the cap.
I don't see the use of dust cap on the new setup.
I know if I put th cap back on it would look cleaner and stock like otherwise you'll see your koni strut sticking out on top of your housing.
Justin(OKC)
03-11-2002, 09:30 PM
I am loving the suspension on my car right now. It really looks sweet but I need wider front tires. I really want to compare the ride of yours to mine to see what the difference is like. Mine might be a bit to aggressive for your taste but the thing handles like a slot car.
As for the exterior of my car, I want to do the following
M-technic front lip
M-technic side skirts
17x8.5 Forged LTW wheels
Eiebrows
Roof spoiler
I think when I get that stuff done, I'll be really happy. I've got the wheels located, I just need to work out payment and figure out what I'm going to do for tires. I'll sell the contours off my car.
Saul, what springs are you using with the Koni's?
Is there anything securing the strut on the end that you cut the stock housing from? or is it just the attachment site? What's the use of the stock strut housing if it's only attached at the bottom?
Thanks for any info.
bimmer95
03-12-2002, 02:04 AM
Originally posted by aus
Is there anything securing the strut on the end that you cut the stock housing from? or is it just the attachment site? What's the use of the stock strut housing if it's only attached at the bottom?
Nope, the only thing holding the insert in to the strut housing tube is a big bolt at the bottom of the strut. The fitment of the insert in to the tube is tight enough that it can't move side to side and then the bolt secures the insert from moving up or down. Koni made inserts for the M3 struts so they wouldn't have to manufacture a complete replacement with swaybar mount.
Bimmer95. Thanks for that info.
What springs do you have on your car? I like the adjustability of the Koni's and the life time warranty but don't know what springs to get. I'm looking for about 1" drop in front and not much in back and a decent ride is important since it's my daily driver.
Originally posted by aus
Saul, what springs are you using with the Koni's?
Is there anything securing the strut on the end that you cut the stock housing from? or is it just the attachment site? What's the use of the stock strut housing if it's only attached at the bottom?
Thanks for any info.
I'm using H&R sport. To secure the new strut to the housing you have to cut the old housing to take out old strut. Drill a hole on the bottom of the housing and that where you bolt the new strut to the housing.
The use of the stock strut housing is to attached all your break line, speed sensor, control arm link and the rotor.
Originally posted by aus
Bimmer95. Thanks for that info.
What springs do you have on your car? I like the adjustability of the Koni's and the life time warranty but don't know what springs to get. I'm looking for about 1" drop in front and not much in back and a decent ride is important since it's my daily driver.
My car drop about 1. The koni and H&R sport ride just like stock.
This is how my car use to ride when I bought it brand new. I don't think I mind if is little stiffer.
bimmer95
03-12-2002, 10:07 AM
Originally posted by aus
What springs do you have on your car?
I'm using H&R Sports also, it's a nice combo.
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