TWR shocks absorver

[mclaud]

Hello from Spain. I have to change the front shocks and I bought a couple of TWR. All the references match with my car but when trying to assemble, my mechanic says that they are not the same assembly. I am afraid to ask for another brand and that the same problem arises. May I have to reuse some of the old shock absorbers so that they can be mounted? Thank you

[toomann]

That would be correct. The TRW's are shock inserts. They fit into the shock towers once you remove the top locking ring and remove the old piston and drain the oil.

[clockwork]

Is the problem that the TRW shocks will not fit up through the shock mount rubber/metal sleeve hole?
The shock mounts of early e31s are a smaller ID than of the 1992+ model year, so I had to buy shock mounts of a newer e31 to fit over the threaded rod of the Bilstein gas shock (absorber).