Quick question - front shocks

[AlpineCab]

Quick question - do E30 Bilsteins, H&R, (or any other brand for that matter) come as a complete shock assembly?

Or are they just the inserts?

This will play a big factor in which ones to get.

I'm due to change mine soon, and just haven't got the time/space/facilities to be faffing around trying to get the old inserts out after the nigh on 10 years since doing it the last time

[capnmchl]

All will come as inserts, unless you get some spare shock bodies and get them sent off as coilovers.

If you're willing to change the complete shock body, surely the processes of doing up some spring compressors, undoing the top nut and undoing the large retaining cap isn't that much more?

[Brianmoooore]

Fronts are inserts, rears are complete, less dust cover.

[AlpineCab]

All will come as inserts, unless you get some spare shock bodies and get them sent off as coilovers.

If you're willing to change the complete shock body, surely the processes of doing up some spring compressors, undoing the top nut and undoing the large retaining cap isn't that much more?

You're right - up to the point where you undo the retaining cap to take the old insert out. I've got so many bad memories of doing that on my old golf when I was a young gun, plus on the E30 cab, and now I just havn't got the time.

Plus the neighbours here in France will call the police as I start ranting and shouting at the thing to "just bloody well undo won't you".

When looking on web, I've seen pictures of the bilsteins as a complete shock where you just swap over the springs, as you say, using the spring compressors. But they're just illusttrative images and I wondered whether they came like that for the E30.

For what it's worth, the boge gas I've got on now did come as a complete unit, i.e no large retaining cap to undo to swap over the insert. Maybe that's how I'll go again but I just wanted something a bit more sporty (yellow?)

[AlpineCab]

Fronts are inserts, rears are complete, less dust cover.

For every make?

What about the kits like H&R cup for example?

[B7]

I have never seen an e30 front assembly complete when new. Always an insert. Those pics I think are just library pics of any old shock and don't relate to what you'll actually get.

Surely if you bought a complete leg assembly you'd then have to transfer the hub assembly / bearing etc.?

All you need is a big vice and a pair of stilsons for the collar. I' ve not had one beat me yet.

I may be wrong but when searching, I always only get quoted for the inserts.

[AlpineCab]

Inserts it is then.....

[capnmchl]

Big pair of stilsons or pipe gripsand you'll get him off. I've never had a problem with any car with these set ups.

[Topblag]

http://www.e30zone.net/e30zonewiki/inde ... ing_Struts

I'd be starting here.

[SHAKEELE30]

just done this few days ago, i tried to unscrew the bolt but it kept slipping( the whole leg was off the car), wasnt easy at all, end up taking it to the garage and borrowing their spring clamp and pressure tools... alot easier....less faffing&swearing ...

[daimlerman]

Cold chisel and your biggest birmingham spanner!

You should get a replacement locking ring with the new damper.