Member
variation in part numbers, so im just checking to see why this was the case & if they are interchangeable
alot of different numbers as i scrolled through realoem through 1993. also the numbers on my current car, which i thought was originial, doesnt match these below.
any insight to this, please advise.
my car production date : 2-26-1991
31311138551
31311138552
vs
31311138553
31311138554
Ultimate Machine Driver
90/99 All E31 Strut brand names, Front and rear are interchangeable.
Member
From my research they are not interchangeable,Originally Posted by btnh
Front Struts 31311138551 & 31311138552 are sport suspension.
Front struts 31311138553 & 31311138554 are comfort suspension
Also, BMW is constantly revising/superseding parts hence the old part number becomes superseded/obsolete.
If you have a part number that you want information on please post it and I will look up the history of the P/N.
You may be able to get some of that information in RealOEM by clicking on the highlighted part number, however it may only show the last superseded number and not the full history.
Last edited by m6bigdog; 09-18-2018 at 11:51 AM.
Member
there is a difference in the diameter of the metal sleeve/hole in the shock mount tower from early to later models...therefore making me believe there was a thicker shock rod installed on the later cars.
I have aftermarket shocks on the front of my car and after shearing a shock mount, and reordering from the dealership, according to realoem for my model year, a new shock mount for my 03/90 build, it would NOT allow the gas shock threaded rod to go up through the metal sleeve and therefore I had to buy a shock mount from a newer model year car to fit the shock's threaded rod..
Last edited by clockwork; 09-18-2018 at 02:19 PM.
I swear, my cars are like a girlfriend.
Sometimes its a rough ride, sometimes its smooth motorin'.
Sometimes she doesnt like how i treat her and sometimes i dont like how she behaves.
BUT at the end of the day, she loves it when I am inside her.
Member
There is a difference in the strut tubes between early and late. Both will bolt up and look almost identical but the ABS won't work and will have to be disconnected to even drive the car. I think the ABS magnets are different and they are spaced differently to the pick-up wheel and therefore don't work. The hubs may even be different and it creates a whole host of problems. As I recall, everything bolts up but the ABS will have to be disconnected in order to drive the car if the proper parts are not installed.
Member
was looking at these struts listed on the bay... thought maybe they were just the euro version.
i also checked through out realoem and noticed superseded part numbers but no history was avaialble except more alternate part numbers.
here is a link
https://www.ebay.com/itm/NEW-Origina...rt=nc#viTabs_0
Member
Unsure what you are asking?
Those are Front Sport Shock (All manual & Automatic) for 07/1990-03/1993.
14mm shock nut.
FYI, the stock struts can be rebuilt with a Koni adjustable shocks cartridge for a lot less.
Below is a link to a super sport suspension upgrade!! Essentially, the BMW OE design M-Tech Sport Suspension with the Koni cartridge in the front.
Oh, Oh mission creep!!
https://www.bimmerforums.com/forum/s...ght=Koni+Hyper
BMW Part number sequence:
31311140007 - Left front spring strut
From:03/01/1993To:- Weight:7.655 kg
Supersedes:
31311138551(03/02/1992 — ), Exchangeable retrospectively
31311139389(07/01/1990 — 09/22/1992), nonexchangeable retrospectively
31311137477(01/02/1990 — 12/16/2010), Exchangeable retrospectively
31311137381(01/02/1990 — 09/12/1989)
Part 31311140007 was found on the following vehicles:
Last edited by m6bigdog; 09-20-2018 at 01:41 AM.
Member
many thanks M6.. shocks was last thing i needed to replace. !
i've just replaced entire front end over 11 month period..
huge PITA
with rust, broken bolts.. & more rust. never again buying a car, to save from the grave, from the northeast.
Member
Glad I could help, your a hero for saving an 8.
i've just replaced entire front end over 11 month period..
huge PITA
with rust, broken bolts.. & more rust. never again buying a car, to save from the grave, from the northeast.
IMHO, the front-end is the easy part. It is the 5-link rear suspension where you earn your stripes on an 8!!
Unsure if you are keeping your 8 stock, just a word of caution, there are numerous aftermarket performance spring sets and shocks available that are not correctly designed for the unique E31 suspension design and are better avoided.
There is plenty of suspension performance that can be added to the E31 chassis without sacrificing ride quality and comfort if the correct, mostly OE Euro M-Sport suspension components are used, as indicated in the Hyper post.
Unfortunately, the Northeast is hard on cars, super cold winters, lots of snow, roadway de-icing treatments and humid summers.
Bought my low mileage 1997, 850 in 2004 after 2 years in New York. First 5 Years in North Carolina and the cadmium plating had already been completely striped form most of the suspension bolts and components, but nothing that couldn't be restored with lots of new bolts, other plated parts on the suspension with a Front & Rear suspension refurbishment.
My 1991 M5 has been garaged in California since new and even after 27 years and 87k miles the suspension component cadmium plating is still intact protecting the steel.
Posting Permissions
Reply With Quote
Bookmarks