Bilstein strut won't fit! (240)

JE Jr · 02-23-2007, 12:20 PM

Hi!

A friend has a 240 and he tries to install Bilstein HD's in the front struts. The problem is that the diameter of them are too big!

I remember that I've heard of some of you having the same problem. How did you solve it?

I didn't find anything through search, or maybe I just wrote the wrong sentence...

thelostartof · 02-23-2007, 12:22 PM

does his car have ABS?

dl242gt · 02-23-2007, 12:26 PM

The only problem I know of is they are too long to fit without the spacer at the bottom removed. The stock struts need the spacer removed at the bottom. With the ABS cars the spacer seems to be welded or by some other method is stuck in there. I wasn't able to remove the spacer on the ABS struts I have.

JE Jr · 02-23-2007, 12:30 PM

Hm, don't think it has ABS.

Update, Not sure it was Bilstein, but he says they are 46mm outer diameter (1.81")

The strut has inner dia 45mm (1.77")

blkaplan · 02-23-2007, 12:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JE Jr

Hm, don't think it has ABS.

Update, Not sure it was Bilstein, but he says they are 46mm outer diameter (1.81")

The strut has inner dia 45mm (1.77")

thats no bilstein,,,, its a monsta

benflynn · 02-23-2007, 01:09 PM

is it the tube or the nut on the top, the ring nut for bills has a much bigger hole, i had to order a pair for my bills

242Fast · 02-23-2007, 01:10 PM

i don't remember if i got my struts off an abs car or not, but i had to sand a bit of the paint off the strut to fit mine in. I think i also used a hone to get some of the crud off the strut walls...

towerymt · 02-23-2007, 02:13 PM

They're a tight fit. The stickers almost always catch on the tube inside and get ripped off. It's that close of a fit. Clean out the strut tube really well and use a hone if necessary (a brake hone would work well). Sand the paint off the strut. It should slide in with light pressure. If they're so tight that he has to hammer it in, I wouldn't do it.

I have a '90 240 without ABS, and it had strut tubes with a built in spacer at the bottom. I tried to install orange DeCarbon struts from a GT (same as Bilstein/R-sport in size) and they were too long. I had to change the strut tubes to ones w/o the spacer.

sabelström · 02-23-2007, 02:34 PM

Hello! i am the one with the problem, i am from sweden so my english may not be so good.

My car is a 244DL 86. The orginal struts where 43,5mm.

It is bilstein for 240 in swe the part number is P36-0081 and it is yellow with blue dust protection.

And a have spoken to the company i boght it from and the say it suppost to be 46mm, and its no no stickers in the way, maybe only the colur, but i dont know if i dare to take the yellow colur of if i need too send it back to the company.

Yea, Right · 02-23-2007, 03:21 PM

The part number is correct. Does the strut insert part way and then bind? The only time I have had that problem was with a slightly bent strut housing...

JohnMc · 02-23-2007, 03:52 PM

I put Bilstein HD's in my '93 240 with abs. It was a *very* sniug fit. I actually had to peel off all the stickers on the strut to get them to go in. And then thump them into place with a hammer and chunk of wood.

And then I ran into the situation where that spacer thing was welded in place in the bottom end of the strut tube, couldn't get it out, but the strut retaining nuts threaded in about half way, so in my estimation that was enough threads to hold so I loctited it. And it's been fine for 6 months, 7500 miles so far. Every once in a while I'll pull up the dust shield and check, but they haven't budged.

Crazychopstick · 02-23-2007, 04:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JohnMc

I put Bilstein HD's in my '93 240 with abs. It was a *very* sniug fit. I actually had to peel off all the stickers on the strut to get them to go in. And then thump them into place with a hammer and chunk of wood.

And then I ran into the situation where that spacer thing was welded in place in the bottom end of the strut tube, couldn't get it out, but the strut retaining nuts threaded in about half way, so in my estimation that was enough threads to hold so I loctited it. And it's been fine for 6 months, 7500 miles so far. Every once in a while I'll pull up the dust shield and check, but they haven't budged.

Hmmm.

I have HDs in my '82 and did the same thing, there was a nut thing at the bottom of the strut tube (which I thought was actually part of the balljoint). The gland nut on my struts were threaded in enough that I didn't worry about it.

towerymt · 02-23-2007, 07:44 PM

If it doesn't fit, get strut tubes from another 240. But '86 should be OK. Mine is an '87 and they fit.

244ti · 02-23-2007, 08:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by towerymt

If it doesn't fit, get strut tubes from another 240. But '86 should be OK. Mine is an '87 and they fit.

i installed billstiens HD's in my 85 240 turbo.
the struts wouldnt go in, peeled the labels off and still no go, tried a little grease and no go. called billstien and talked to tech who confirmed part#.
then tech told me to sand off paint which was very thick coat.
after sanding the strut fit tightly.
that was two years ago.
maybe give them a call.
thats my experience.
good luck

sabelström · 02-24-2007, 03:20 AM

Ok, so i can get it to fit if i take away the paint? or get some other struts? is that the sum of all of it?

02-23-2007, 12:20 PM	#1
JE Jr Board Member Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Sweden	Bilstein strut won't fit! (240) Hi! A friend has a 240 and he tries to install Bilstein HD's in the front struts. The problem is that the diameter of them are too big! I remember that I've heard of some of you having the same problem. How did you solve it? I didn't find anything through search, or maybe I just wrote the wrong sentence... __________________ Black car: --142 ´68-- Yellow car: --142 GL ´72-- 70's rally-car wannabe White car: --744 GLE ´88-- Polishing object Blue car: --S70 GLT ´00-- Daily driver

02-23-2007, 12:22 PM	#2
thelostartof unbalanced chemical Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Apache Junction, AZ	does his car have ABS? __________________ Chip Feedback Thread / PM Current Chip Prices / PM for DownPipe & Exhaust Price / Silicone Cooling Hose Sets 2/7/9

02-23-2007, 12:26 PM	#3
dl242gt Can play the blues Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: S NJ, a suburb of Phila.	bilstein The only problem I know of is they are too long to fit without the spacer at the bottom removed. The stock struts need the spacer removed at the bottom. With the ABS cars the spacer seems to be welded or by some other method is stuck in there. I wasn't able to remove the spacer on the ABS struts I have. __________________ Dave, 1982 242 turbo. MVP coilover front and rear suspension. Bilstein HD. IPD 25/25 bars. 3" MVP exhaust. Cosworth Sierra hot side T3 .48 with upgraded stock .42 compressor. Ported 90+.True Track diff. Flat hood 1979 front grill Ecode park/turn lights with H4 Hella. 321k miles. Had it since 1995. 1993 245 Classic, 340k miles, enem V15. Genuine Volvo stock over the axle exhaust.

02-23-2007, 01:09 PM	#6
benflynn bigpimpin740t@yahoo.com Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Birmingham Al	is it the tube or the nut on the top, the ring nut for bills has a much bigger hole, i had to order a pair for my bills __________________ think you got shorted? belive me, we have piles of turbos and ms units, email me w/what ever the hell you think we have of yours and when i am not on a river ill dig it out and send it to ya for shipping, one shotbigpimpin740t@yahoo.com one down, whose next?

02-23-2007, 01:10 PM	#7
242Fast Board Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Sarasota/Tallahasse, FL	i don't remember if i got my struts off an abs car or not, but i had to sand a bit of the paint off the strut to fit mine in. I think i also used a hone to get some of the crud off the strut walls... __________________ 83' 242: turbonetics t3/t4 50trim 48ar, 3", 550cc, msns-e, msd 6a, ipdturbocam, npr

02-23-2007, 12:30 PM	#4
JE Jr Board Member Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Sweden	Hm, don't think it has ABS. Update, Not sure it was Bilstein, but he says they are 46mm outer diameter (1.81") The strut has inner dia 45mm (1.77")

02-23-2007, 02:34 PM	#9
sabelström Newbie Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Tranås SWEDEN	Hello! i am the one with the problem, i am from sweden so my english may not be so good. My car is a 244DL 86. The orginal struts where 43,5mm. It is bilstein for 240 in swe the part number is P36-0081 and it is yellow with blue dust protection. And a have spoken to the company i boght it from and the say it suppost to be 46mm, and its no no stickers in the way, maybe only the colur, but i dont know if i dare to take the yellow colur of if i need too send it back to the company.

02-23-2007, 03:21 PM	#10
Yea, Right Malcontent Join Date: Mar 2003	The part number is correct. Does the strut insert part way and then bind? The only time I have had that problem was with a slightly bent strut housing... __________________ Kenny- "This is what I was trying to explain before everyone got butthurt and started calling me names".

02-23-2007, 03:52 PM	#11
JohnMc PV Abuser Join Date: May 2004 Location: St. Louis	I put Bilstein HD's in my '93 240 with abs. It was a very sniug fit. I actually had to peel off all the stickers on the strut to get them to go in. And then thump them into place with a hammer and chunk of wood. And then I ran into the situation where that spacer thing was welded in place in the bottom end of the strut tube, couldn't get it out, but the strut retaining nuts threaded in about half way, so in my estimation that was enough threads to hold so I loctited it. And it's been fine for 6 months, 7500 miles so far. Every once in a while I'll pull up the dust shield and check, but they haven't budged. __________________ '63 PV Rat Rod '93 245 16VT Classic #1141

02-23-2007, 07:44 PM	#13
towerymt the real Towery Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: VA, USA	If it doesn't fit, get strut tubes from another 240. But '86 should be OK. Mine is an '87 and they fit.

02-24-2007, 03:20 AM	#15
sabelström Newbie Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Tranås SWEDEN	Ok, so i can get it to fit if i take away the paint? or get some other struts? is that the sum of all of it?

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