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

[jorgescar69]

any one ever use Monro Shocks?

[zubbie]

any one ever use Monro Shocks?

short answer is no. I know they are available and cheap but I don't think anyone here has ever mentioned them

[Herb]

Is this sticky worthy yet?

[Stir Fry A Lot]

any one ever use Monro Shocks?

I was happy with them. Very comfortable ride and didn't give me any problems. I only had them for a couple months before overhauling my suspension. I haven't tried kyb's but between the two I'd go with the Monroe's again. BUT, I'd advise doing it right once and just save for a set of Billies.

[VacMan]

Edited, see revised thread at the bottom of the page.

[Herb]

Tim - Something is'nt right with your post. I know my pics are hard to see in post #17, but they are comparing V2 and V3, and the ID is NOT the same. V2 is 16mm and V3 is 11mm, I used a small ruler to measure, even if I was off V2 is still larger, V3 wouldn't fit my m5 Bilstein Sport shock.

[VacMan]

Tim - Something is'nt right with your post. I know my pics are hard to see in post #17, but they are comparing V2 and V3, and the ID is NOT the same. V2 is 16mm and V3 is 11mm, I used a small ruler to measure, even if I was off V2 is still larger, V3 wouldn't fit my m5 Bilstein Sport shock.

Herb, while I'm not doubting your measurements, something doesn't jive.

FWIW all the V3 research stuff is Zubbie's, not mine. However, the strut uses an M14 nut, so it stands to reason that the strut it threads onto is 14mm. The pic Zubbie provided also shows the 14mm ID on all the components on his V3 setup (on the left.) Also, V3 uses the same strut hat as the later E30 does (cross reference the part number on realoem.com) which also has a 14mm strut.

[Herb]

Tim, the problem is not the nut and threading, the problem is the shaft size just below the threads.

I know for 100% fact that while the V3 takes a 22mm m14 nut, it will not seat on an m5 Bilstein Sport shock that requires the V2 22mm m14 nut. It is the shaft just below the threads that is the issue - I had to send my V3 back and get the V2 for it to work.

Check my thread for the pics - http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum...hlight=herbert

[mtg729]

Major thread revival.

I have a 8/89 e34. I also have a 7/90 parts car with good suspension. Short question is will it work. If not, what would I have to change to make it work on my 8/89?

[Herb]

If you transfer everything from the parts car to your car, yes. Everything is interchangeable for all years, you just have to have a complete set-up for any given version to transfer to another year car.

[mtg729]

If you transfer everything from the parts car to your car, yes. Everything is interchangeable for all years, you just have to have a complete set-up for any given version to transfer to another year car.

Strut housings and all or just the top strut mounts?

[Herb]

The donor car is right on the edge of the same production run as your car. If it has a 19mm nut then there is no difference between the two. If it has a 22mm nut you will need to use the shocks and strut mount from the donor.

[M Quick]

Can't anyone just write it in short what will work on what car with what parts etc?

[zubbie]

Can't anyone just write it in short what will work on what car with what parts etc?

sure.

1. all rears work on all years (except SLS)
2. front strut housing is the same for all years
3. front strut must match your car's upper mount, washers, nut etc (V1, V2 or V3)
4. alternatively any matching package (strut and upper components) as a unit can be installed in any year

[mtg729]

The donor car is right on the edge of the same production run as your car. If it has a 19mm nut then there is no difference between the two. If it has a 22mm nut you will need to use the shocks and strut mount from the donor.

excellent. thank you Herb.

[misswin]

Why isn't this stickied? This is the first time I've seen this thread.

[zubbie]

Why isn't this stickied? This is the first time I've seen this thread.

I guess mods don't think it's worthy...

[David325e]

Threads like this make me glad I can't afford mods.

[misswin]

I guess mods don't think it's worthy...

All of attack eagle's DIY/help threads should be stickied. They're incredibly informative and always helpful. Searching rarely gets me what I'm looking for... and I'll be messing with this stuff soon.

[VacMan]

All of attack eagle's DIY/help threads should be stickied. They're incredibly informative and always helpful. Searching rarely gets me what I'm looking for... and I'll be messing with this stuff soon.

That way we could have the entire first page of the E34 subforum filled with stickies, and when you logged in you could go right to page 2 every time. Sorry, that's not practical.

It's a known fact that people don't read stickies. You don't need any more proof than the constant stream of the same questions over and over again that are answered in great detail by the FAQ.

If you like a thread and want to be able to find it again, use the "subscribe to this thread" function and it will be in your subscribed threads under the "Quick Links" dropdown menu on the top right of the screen.

Tim

PS On topic, a lot of the stuff that I posted is still not correct. I need to spend some time merging my info with Herb's to make a true one-stop FAQ for this.

[VacMan]

Ok, I've done a ton of research on this today. This guide was immensely helpful and I'm very appreciative of the effort that went into it by everyone involved. That said, I need to correct a few things on this before I go to bed. I'll make a more substantial post on this in the near future. Corrections are in PURPLE.

The complete guide to E34 front struts and mounts

BMW had 3 different strut mounts in E34's. They are all interchangeable 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)
Guide Support PN -31 33 1 134 096
Bearing ID: 14 mm (M12 nut, M14 shaft.) Azautohaus is wrong!


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)
Guide SupportPN -31 33 1 139 437
Bearing ID: 16 mm (M14 nut, M16 shaft.)

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)
Guide Support 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

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). As you can see, the version 1 and 3 share the same inside diameter mounts even though they're very different and cannot be interchanged.

The struts (not the mounts!) at the bottom of the picture are (16mm) Version 3 on the left and (14mm) Version 1 on the right.

To summarize, there are 2 shaft types, a beveled top (like the two struts in Zubbie's pic #1 above) and a flat top for the later, E30-style mounts (like Zubbie's pic #2 above.) The beveled struts come in 14mm shaft (Version 1) and 16mm shaft (Version 2.) The flat top uses a flat-topped strut and a 14mm upper strut mount (Version 3.)

Version 1: The 14mm beveled shaft fits only the very early E34s through production date of 7/90.

Version 2: The 16mm beveled shaft fits nearly all E34's including all tourings. The only differences between the various part numbers is the valving within the strut itself. The strut body in all cases is identical.

Version 3: The 14mm flat-topped shaft fits only M50 (525) sedans (not wagons!)

Version 2 uses a larger inner diameter upgrade to the Version 1 and is otherwise identical. Version 3 uses a unique design and is easily recognizable by the smaller dust cap.

The vast majority of E34's use Version 2. Very early cars (up to 7/90, Version 1) and M50-powered 525 sedans (after 9/92, Version 3) are the exceptions. All tourings use Version 2 regardless of year!

Tim

[VacMan]

Tim - Something is'nt right with your post. I know my pics are hard to see in post #17, but they are comparing V2 and V3, and the ID is NOT the same. V2 is 16mm and V3 is 11mm, I used a small ruler to measure, even if I was off V2 is still larger, V3 wouldn't fit my m5 Bilstein Sport shock.

Version 3 has 12mm threads but a 14mm shaft. That's where the confusion was. You probably measured the threaded portion but not the shaft body itself. I confirmed this with a set of RD struts I bought for my touring and ultimately had to convert to Version 3. I took pics if anyone wants to see them, but Zubbie's pics above are correct.

[SSkoda]

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.

This is in fact TRUE

[rob0r]

Not technically on topic but since this is all about strut housings... I'm looking to swap the front strut housings on my '88 E32 with ones from a '91 E34, is this possible? I'm going to convert my 735i to coilovers and I would like to keep E32 struts original and I have the E34 items laying around.

[zubbie]

This is in fact TRUE

Not sure what you mean. What is true? All housings are the same. Actually M5 S38B38's have different ones. The rest are the same

Not technically on topic but since this is all about strut housings... I'm looking to swap the front strut housings on my '88 E32 with ones from a '91 E34, is this possible? I'm going to convert my 735i to coilovers and I would like to keep E32 struts original and I have the E34 items laying around.

Strut housings (part #1 shown below) are the same for E32's and E34's


Front spring strut/shock absorber - BMW parts catalog