E30 Zone

Hi folks, I started assembling my front shocks yesterday and encountered a bit of a problem. There was no tool to fit the top shock nut.

I foolishly assumed it would be in the box, but no sign.

Where can I get a tool / attachment for this??

Obviously I could use a stillson but it says it should be torqued up and I couldn't gauge the torque with one of those.

I had the same problem. Even if you had the correct tool, you would struggle to accurately torque it down or get a normal torque wrench on there. Think the actual figure is something like 130N/m

My top nut had a flange with flats on. So I just used stilsons and tightened it as hard as I could. As advised of this site.

Thanks for the response, I'll do that. Maybe use some lock thread also.

If you dont want to damage the collar with a pair of stilsons, the correct tool is called a hook spanner / C spanner.
I wouldnt worry too much about the torque, when i did mine i just tightened them with a hook spanner by hand and have never had any issues.

Carmo13 wrote:If you dont want to damage the collar with a pair of stilsons, the correct tool is called a hook spanner / C spanner.
I wouldnt worry too much about the torque, when i did mine i just tightened them with a hook spanner by hand and have never had any issues.

I know it wont be seen but i would rather not damage the lock nut. I will have a look for a Hook / C spanner.

I borrowed one last time I did mine, I couldn't get it torqued up to the correct figure, the tool was giving way.

I would think you can buy them direct from Bilstein, part number is E4-MS08/6

Bilstein want £25 for their tool. Don't suppose anyone on here is prepared to lend / sell me theirs?

I have put your pic on a couple Facebook pages Ronan with a wanted advert.

£11.50 for an adjustable one

http://uk.rs-online.com/web/p/products/ ... GwodMnYOKQ

or £6.00 on ebay

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Draper19mm-51 ... 2548.l4275

I have exactly the Draper one in the ebay link and I can confirm that it was next to useless when I did my Bilstein fron shocks.... ended up using stillsons...

I've got a lead on one Ronan.

Cheers all, I'll be in touch Peter.

Thanks again

I got some c spanners on flea bay. They're sh1te quality but the correct size.

The forking nut will not go in.

I've cleaned the threads using a wire brush and they are looking good but it's like the threads are different on the nut. You can see here the first thread has been damaged by me screwing it in. It goes in about one full turn.

Anyone else had this issue??

There are only really 3 possibilities. There is damage to a thread somewhere, the collar / nut is cross-threaded or the pitch of the thread on the collar is incorrect.
The only thing you can do is carefully check all threads for damage and buy a metric thread gauge and check the pitch of the thread on the collar / nut.
I cant comment on Bilstein shocks as i have only fitted H&R shocks before with no problems.

Just had a thought. It might be worth taking the collar off the shock and seeing if you can get it to thread fully in on its own. It might be that the shock is very slightly slanted within the strut causing the collar to cross-thread.
If this is the case it may be worth lifting the shock slightly from the bottom of the strut when trying to thread the collar to allow the collar to centre itself?

This may be a VERY stupid comment, so forgive me - but are you sure you're not trying to put 51mm shocks into 45mm struts? It may be the pic or my funky eyes, but the whole strut body looks too small

ta for the responses. it is defo a 51mm strut.

Original nut is long gone - I used stillsons to get the bugger out and after it started moving - it came out no bother and was filed neatly in the bin as the struts went off to be powdercoated. They were acid dipped and then coated.

No obvious damage to the threads in the strut. There had been a wee bit of powdercoating on the top threads but I have wire brushed the life out of them so expect there is little if any left.

I have tried the nut in the strut without the shock in it to make sure it wasnt squint and it was the same result.

I thought maybe the strut is not totally circular but then thought the shock wouldnt fit if it wasnt circular!

The only other thing I think it could be is the thread is different! But the shock is from a 2.5 and the Billies are for a 2.5 - why would they be different??

#totally stumped!

I've got 2 pairs of collar nuts if you want to try the thread.

One pair is part number b30 629, I got them direct from Bilstein but they not for b4's. Looks like your using b8 so might be for those. They thread in the bare struts I have no problem. I could drop them through your letter box if you want to try.

Sanchez wrote:I've got 2 pairs of collar nuts if you want to try the thread.

One pair is part number b30 629, I got them direct from Bilstein but they not for b4's. Looks like your using b8 so might be for those. They thread in the bare struts I have no problem. I could drop them through your letter box if you want to try.

That would be brilliant. You know when you might be passing? Would be good to catch up.

Not sure when last you were here. The green door is easy to spot.