Quick question on front strut inserts Mk2

[scirocco_ne]

I am about to put a brand new everything on the mk2. Rack,shocks, arms,polybushed,springs etc

Hopefully it will get old Sam driving nice again.

Whilst prepping and cleaning up the strut bodies ready for dropping the new b4s in i tried the old inserts back in.

They feel quite loose in there compared to my expectations. You can rattle them side to side with the top nut missing. Is this normal?


Thanks
Mick

[mr.brown]

I remember the instructions for Koni inserts saying to put some antifreeze in before the insert. That would take up any slack I suppose.
However, since the internet there now seems to be some debate about whether to put antifreeze or oil or nothing in there. Is there nothing in the Bilstein instructions?

[chopperoli]

Yeah they aren't great. As Mr.Brown says, antifreeze is best, aiding heat transfer & corrosion protection, but it won't prevent movement will it

If there is up/down play then install a washer under the cap (pikey version is to drop 2p coin in the bottom)

Side/side play is harder to fix, you would need a correctly sized sleeve or perhaps o-rings could work

[scirocco_ne]

Thanks for the replies :)

Ill check the instructions if any are in the box and i don't think any up or down play is present thankfully.

Id imagine its not fixable as the play is too severe. As a toolmaker in my day i would of got a clip round the head and these would be in the scrap pile if i made them haha

I really dont understand the design. The shocker is completely dependent on the top and bottom for support /location and the cavity must surely allow flex within the system under load.

[mark1gls]

Normal to have a little side to side movement. I think they leave a little gap as over the next 10 years or so if the strut gets any water inside the last thing you want is it to rust in the strut and you can get the thing out.