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Please excuse my ignorance on this, but what is the advantage/disadvantage of this "
Updated (larger) front strut housing, BMW part number 31 31 1 127 315/6 are permitted."
Replacing my strut housings would be a good idea at this time since they appear to have led a long hard life, should I go with the "larger" one or whatever the "normal" one is for a 1987 325is?
Thanks
Ben
If I’m not mistaken, the 325 series already has the large housing. If you had an old 318 you could update its smaller diameter cartridge with the bigger diameter 325 series strut. Regards, Robert Patton
The 87 325iS has the 54mm stryts…what is wrong with your housings? not much to go bad other than mechanical damage…they can get ugly from road crap though.
Good to know, I just assumed that a 170K Miles strut body would be bad.
Being able to easily change out the strut inserts is new to me, always had to change them as a unit on previous cars.
I will clean it and straight edge it.
Thank you for the information and the $ saving tip.
Ben
speaking of looking ugly … I want to respray my struts while I have them disassembled. Do I need to use a high temp spray paint like I’m using on the calipers? I have found a high temp Rustoleum brand black paint but it is flat. Anybody know of some that is glossier?
thanks,
bruce
Bruce - This stuff is great if you don’t mind spending the bucks.
http://www.por15.com/PRODUCTS/PRIMERPAINTSCOATINGS/TOPCOATS/CHASSISCOATBLACK/tabid/123/Default.aspx
I’ve used this on several restorations and it is very durable.
ed
Bruce, ask anyone that I know (inside joke) and they’ll tell you that THE ANSWER is Krylon semi-flat black. In fact, that is the answer for any painting problem. Regards, Robert Pattonr
thanks Ed, this stuff looks interesting also for the areas close to the calipers and other heat sourceshttp://www.por15.com/PRODUCTS/PrimerPaintsCoatings/HiTemperaturePaints/BLACKVELVET/tabid/146/Default.aspx
edavidson wrote:
[quote]Bruce - This stuff is great if you don’t mind spending the bucks.
http://www.por15.com/PRODUCTS/PRIMERPAINTSCOATINGS/TOPCOATS/CHASSISCOATBLACK/tabid/123/Default.aspx
I’ve used this on several restorations and it is very durable.
ed[/quote]
AFAIK…the little housing was ONLY on the OLD 318 from the early 80’s.
The later 318is and 318i has 51 mm inserts and all the I motor cars (and I am pretty sure all the E motor cars…but not 100% sure) had 51 mm inserts.
Only way to mess up a housing is to bend one or bugger the threads at the top of the insert.
There are those that think slightly bent struts (in the appropriate place, on purpose) are good for camber…but no one here would ever cheat would they?
Ric