The 'end all' e34 front strut mount reference thread.

**attack eagle** · 03-21-2009, 05:09 PM

Thanks Herb for the impetus.

88-90

<picture>

Dustcap -
Strut Nut
PN -

Source For Quality replacement unit

Common matching inserts:

Bilstein -

Koni

Sachs

90-92

<picture>

Dustcap- 2.5"
Strut Nut - 22mm
PN - 31331139437
Source For Quality replacement unit ealership- $125 each.

Common matching inserts:

Bilstein -
HD: P36-3022
SPORT: P36-3019

Koni- ???

Sachs - ????

93-95

<picture>

Dustcap
Strut Nut:
PN -

Source For Quality replacement unit

Common matching inserts:

Bilstein -

Koni

Sachs

**wan** · 03-21-2009, 05:21 PM

**attack eagle** · 03-21-2009, 05:24 PM

Fill in the blank with what you know... easier to edit than sit around with an open thread and hope the board doesn't collapse.

**Herb** · 03-21-2009, 08:48 PM

AE - should mention that this is for fronts, as I haven't heard of anyone having problems with the rears.

'93-'95 = 22mm nut, I'll measure the dust cap soon.

**e34 life** · 03-21-2009, 08:51 PM

wat

**tonyroc14** · 03-21-2009, 08:59 PM

he means everybody add some info...

**zubbie** · 03-21-2009, 10:07 PM

The complete guide to E34 front struts and mounts

BMW had 3 different strut mounts in E34's. They are all interchangable between cars but struts have to match. Rears are all the same. (EXCEPT SELF LEVELING - not covered here) Click on the diagrams below for all part numbers in the diagram
The best way to tell what you have is:

Check the cap and top strut nut.
If 1 1/8 inch (small) you have Version 3
If 2.5 inch and a 19 mm M12 nut then you have Version 1
If 2.5 inch and 22 mm M14 nut then you have Version 2

Version 1:
525i, 535i, M5 3.6 (88 - 07/90)
Dustcap - 2.5 inches
Strut Nut - 19mm (M12 nut)
PN -31 33 1 134 096
Bearing ID: 14 mm

Koni: 8641 1157Sport
Bilstein HD: F4-P36-3021-H0
Bilstein Sport: F4-P36-3018-H0
Bilstein Touring: F4-P36-3024-H0
KYB: 366005
Sachs/Boge: 31321134565

************************************************** *************************************
Version 2:
525i (08/90-09/92)
535i, M5 3.6 (08/90 - end production)
525iT, 530i, 540i (all years)
Dustcap - 2.5 inches
Strut Nut - 22mm (M14 nut)
PN -31 33 1 139 437
Bearing ID: ?? mm
Note: Similar to Version 1 except larger (M14) top nut and larger diameter strut insertion hole

Koni: 8641 1224Sport
Bilstein HD: F4-P36-3022-H0
Bilstein Sport: F4-P36-3019-H0
Bilstein Touring: F4-P36-3119-H0
KYB:
Sachs/Boge: 31321092284

************************************************** **************************************
Version 3:
525i (09/92 - end production)
Dustcap 1 1/8 inches
Strut Nut: 22mm (M14 nut)
PN -31 33 1 139 452
Bearing ID: 14 mm

Koni: 8641 1176Sport
Bilstein HD: F4-P36-3023-H0
Bilstein Sport: F4-P36-3020-H0
Bilstein Touring: F4-P36-3118-H0
KYB:
Sachs/Boge: 31321092283

**Herb** · 03-22-2009, 09:13 PM

According BMW of Nashville parts gut, the 88-7/90 strut mounts are the same as all years for the m5.

**zubbie** · 03-23-2009, 07:52 AM

Originally Posted by Herb

According BMW of Nashville parts gut, the 88-7/90 strut mounts are the same as all years for the m5.

Thats not what realoem indicates. It shows the same changes from pre 07/90 to post 07/90. Also Euro 3.8's have similar post 09/92 2-piece units but wuth a different PN.

The other thing I notice is that 530's and 540's used the 07/90 - 09/92 version for all years of their production. I have edited my above post to include models / years to help with clarity.

In the FAQ perhaps?

**Herb** · 03-24-2009, 07:30 PM

I measured the inside diameter of the bearings today.
Zubbie, please add to your updates. I also have pics, but my wife has the camera right now, I'll post them tomorrow.

Inside diameter of the bearing
M5/'88-7/'90 = 16mm
'93+ = 11mm.

**attack eagle** · 03-24-2009, 08:48 PM

as soon as I find my cable, I have pics of 90-92.

damn zubbie! that's fantastic.

will definately ask you to add that to the FAQ.

**zubbie** · 03-24-2009, 09:32 PM

Originally Posted by Herb

I measured the inside diameter of the bearings today.
Zubbie, please add to your updates. I also have pics, but my wife has the camera right now, I'll post them tomorrow.

Inside diameter of the bearing
M5/'88-7/'90 = 16mm
'93+ = 11mm.

I'm confused by this. My measurements don't match yours. Here is a pic of a post 92 Version 3 mount on the left and my original Version 1 mount (on the right).

The struts are (16mm) 90-92? (I think) on the left and 88-07/90 on the right

supposedly the short fat yellow strut below is for the version 3 mount.

**attack eagle** · 03-24-2009, 10:45 PM

that on the left can not be a 90 -92 unless someone pried it apart.
90 -92 look exactly like the one on the strut in the second picture, and the right side one (except no washer).

the one on the left is a MY93+ (9/92 production is MY 93)

**tonyroc14** · 03-24-2009, 10:52 PM

okay to add to the second version. The KYB shocks are 366007 struts
these are weird though, they come with a 19mm lock nut, but my car came with a 22mm. I think. I do not know if that list is right.

**zubbie** · 03-25-2009, 07:36 AM

Originally Posted by attack eagle

that on the left can not be a 90 -92 unless someone pried it apart.
90 -92 look exactly like the one on the strut in the second picture, and the right side one (except no washer).

the one on the left is a MY93+ (9/92 production is MY 93)

I think we are on the same page.

strut mount on left (first photo below) is MY93+ (Version 3)
strut mount on right (first photo below) is 88-90 (version 1)

strut on left (first photo below) is a mystery strut sent to me in error (ignore)
strut on right (first photo below) is 88-90 (Version 1)

strut on right (second photo below) is 09/92 - Version 3

What I am not sure of is the ID of the 90 - 92 (Version 2) mount/strut

Does this seem OK?

**attack eagle** · 03-25-2009, 07:59 AM

If i had a micrometer I could tell you since I have my old set sitting around...

unfortunately I do not.

**Herb** · 03-25-2009, 03:39 PM

Here are pics of the ones that I put on the car - m5/'88-7/'90 - and the ones that are the oem replacements (same as ones pulled off car) - '93+

**zubbie** · 03-26-2009, 06:51 AM

Originally Posted by Herb

Here are pics of the ones that I put on the car - m5/'88-7/'90 - and the ones that are the oem replacements (same as ones pulled off car) - '93+

Pics are too small Herb... can't read

**gtopaul** · 03-26-2009, 09:20 AM

Originally Posted by zubbie

The complete guide to E34 front struts and mounts

BMW had 3 different strut mounts in E34's. They are all interchangable between cars but struts have to match. Rears are all the same. (EXCEPT SELF LEVELING - not covered here) Click on the diagrams below for all part numbers in the diagram
The best way to tell what you have is:

Check the cap and top strut nut.
If 1 1/8 inch (small) you have Version 3
If 2.5 inch and a 19 mm M12 nut then you have Version 1
If 2.5 inch and 22 mm M14 nut then you have Version 2

Version 1:
525i, 535i, M5 3.6 (88 - 07/90)
Dustcap - 2.5 inches
Strut Nut - 19mm (M12 nut)
PN -31 33 1 134 096
Bearing ID: 14 mm

Koni: 8641 1157Sport
Bilstein HD: F4-P36-3021-H0
Bilstein Sport: F4-P36-3019-H0
Bilstein Touring: F4-P36-3024-H0
KYB: 366005
Sachs/Boge: 31321134565

************************************************** *************************************
Version 2:
525i (08/90-09/92)
535i, M5 3.6 (08/90 - end production)
525iT, 530i, 540i (all years)
Dustcap - 2.5 inches
Strut Nut - 22mm (M14 nut)
PN -31 33 1 139 437
Bearing ID: 16 mm
Note: Similar to Version 1 except larger (M14) top nut and larger diameter strut insertion hole

Koni: 8641 1224Sport
Bilstein HD: F4-P36-3022-H0
Bilstein Sport: F4-P36-3019-H0
Bilstein Touring: F4-P36-3119-H0
KYB:
Sachs/Boge: 31321092284

************************************************** **************************************
Version 3:
525i (09/92 - end production)
Dustcap 1 1/8 inches
Strut Nut: 22mm (M14 nut)
PN -31 33 1 139 452
Bearing ID: 14 mm

Koni: 8641 1176Sport
Bilstein HD: F4-P36-3023-H0
Bilstein Sport: F4-P36-3020-H0
Bilstein Touring: F4-P36-3118-H0
KYB:
Sachs/Boge: 31321092283

You can't have the same number Bilstein Sport, 3019, for both the version 1 and version 2. The version 1 should be the 3018 because it has the 19mm nut. The 3019 has a 22mm nut.

**zubbie** · 03-26-2009, 10:35 AM

Originally Posted by gtopaul

You can't have the same number Bilstein Sport, 3019, for both the version 1 and version 2. The version 1 should be the 3018 because it has the 19mm nut. The 3019 has a 22mm nut.

My cut and paste error..fixed, Thanks

**camaroguy** · 03-26-2009, 01:39 PM

It is interesting, I was looking at the shock mounts on my M-Sport the other day. They are very similar to version 3, but part 14 is not there. Looking at Real OEM I have to conclude this is correct, but just seems a little strange

**zubbie** · 03-26-2009, 09:17 PM

Originally Posted by camaroguy

It is interesting, I was looking at the shock mounts on my M-Sport the other day. They are very similar to version 3, but part 14 is not there. Looking at Real OEM I have to conclude this is correct, but just seems a little strange

Actually that is correct. Part 14 was not used in NA. If you click on the diagram 14 is not listed as installed. Realoem diagrams many times contain all possible setups of a particular part but only a subset are actually pertinent to your vehicle (based on the serial number)

**uk525td** · 03-30-2009, 11:03 AM

Ok heres another, i have found a set of Bilstein HD's F4-P36-3022-HO is the part number on the fronts.... As determined i should be bale to use any top mount on my chassis to suit hte strut right? but the seller is saying this:

In short, I bought these for a 1996-registered BMW 525i SE 24V Automatic Saloon model, but the front inserts were too small in diameter for the car's suspension leg tube and so were never fitted.

So he is saying there is an actual difference in strut housing now?!?!?!?!?

**zubbie** · 03-30-2009, 11:44 AM

Originally Posted by uk525td

Ok heres another, i have found a set of Bilstein HD's F4-P36-3022-HO is the part number on the fronts.... As determined i should be bale to use any top mount on my chassis to suit hte strut right? but the seller is saying this:

In short, I bought these for a 1996-registered BMW 525i SE 24V Automatic Saloon model, but the front inserts were too small in diameter for the car's suspension leg tube and so were never fitted.

So he is saying there is an actual difference in strut housing now?!?!?!?!?

Nope. He's smoking something. The housings are all the same. Some struts do come with adapter tops for securing them into the housing. I'm not sure about the Billies.

**uk525td** · 03-30-2009, 11:48 AM

ok thanks

ill watch the bidding nayway and decide nearer the end time, i will get some goodies this week

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