Bilstein Shocks leaking after 1 year and <1000 miles?

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PeteE30Tourer
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Post Sat Mar 24, 2012 12:54 pm

The saga of my suspension upgrade continues. I'd left my front struts at the garage this morning whilst I went to get replacement top mounts. They were laid on some wood at a slight incline with the hubs slightly higher than the top mounts. After a couple of hours, I returned to find pools of oil under the struts, which had leaked from the shocks - both of them.

Does this mean my shocks are faulty? I phoned ECP, but they dont do them anymore - nor GSF, so I'm stuffed for getting the car back on the road this afternoon.

Who does stock these?
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Brianmoooore
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Post Sat Mar 24, 2012 1:42 pm

Not the heat transfer oil from between the strut and the insert is it?
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PeteE30Tourer
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Post Sat Mar 24, 2012 1:43 pm

Brianmoooore wrote:Not the heat transfer oil from between the strut and the insert is it?
How can I tell? It's pretty clear oil.
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Post Sat Mar 24, 2012 4:28 pm

Thinking about it, this would make sense - seems odd to have both shocks fail at the same time after such a short time and low miles. If's not as if I've been going cross country or over rough roads with them or anything.
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bss325i
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Post Sat Mar 24, 2012 6:19 pm

It will be the oil from the struts not the shocks.
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PeteE30Tourer
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Post Sat Mar 24, 2012 6:25 pm

bss325i wrote:It will be the oil from the struts not the shocks.
Sorry for being dumb here, but can you explain this in more detail to me. I'm trying to work out what I need to do to fix this.

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DanThe
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Post Sat Mar 24, 2012 6:49 pm

When you put dampers into E30 struts you should put some oil in too.
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PeteE30Tourer
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Post Sat Mar 24, 2012 7:04 pm

So the oil just sits at the bottom of the strut and the end of the shock sits in it?
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capri_rob
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Post Sat Mar 24, 2012 7:46 pm

Only needs a small amount - it helps keep the damper cool and prevents premature wear.
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kam-325i
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Post Sat Mar 24, 2012 8:06 pm

PeteE30Tourer wrote:So the oil just sits at the bottom of the strut and the end of the shock sits in it?
No, the oil should fill all the space between the shock and the strut body, to transfer heat.
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PeteE30Tourer
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Post Sat Mar 24, 2012 8:35 pm

Ok, thanks. So what type of oil should be used? Is there any way to test the shock to prove it's ok, when out of the strut?
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kam-325i
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Post Sat Mar 24, 2012 8:47 pm

i used some engine oil in my struts.

if the shocks are knackerd, the rod will pull in and out with very little resistance.

EDIT:

Just had a quick read thru the Bentley manual, and it advise's that oil must not be used in the strut with gas shocks......????

can anyone confirm this.....
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Post Sat Mar 24, 2012 10:06 pm

kam-325i wrote:i used some engine oil in my struts.

if the shocks are knackerd, the rod will pull in and out with very little resistance.

EDIT:

Just had a quick read thru the Bentley manual, and it advise's that oil must not be used in the strut with gas shocks......????

can anyone confirm this.....
Bilstein also state that oil should NOT be used in conjunction with their gas shocks.

I've been reading up prior to doing mine next week.
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Post Sat Mar 24, 2012 10:12 pm

are the shocks in the H&R cup kit gas or oil ?
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DanThe
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Post Sat Mar 24, 2012 10:36 pm

I oil them anyway, say no to rust! :)
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Post Mon Mar 26, 2012 10:44 am

Same as that Dan.

makes sense to have something to transfer heat from internals to strut body proper.

if oil is not advised some anti-sneeze should suffice , and protect against corrosion.....
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PeteE30Tourer
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Post Mon Mar 26, 2012 12:44 pm

Cheers Guys. Spoke to the garage last night - they've removed the shocks and they appear to be working fine, so I might be in luck. I'm going to see them tonight.
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Post Mon Mar 26, 2012 12:56 pm

Anti freeze (neat) is what you need!
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