suspension questions

bgriff · Post by **bgriff** » Fri Mar 30, 2012 1:07 pm

Hey guys, I'm about to start on something I've never tried before, changing shocks and struts on my '79 633. I know I'll need a spring compressor, any tips on what to buy that'll do the job on our cars? Also, can anyone remember seeing a thread that would tell me what I need to know before starting this project? Thanks!!

Bob G

Blaise · Post by **Blaise** » Fri Mar 30, 2012 3:53 pm

I use a craftsman spring compressor...works great.

There are differing opinions on what tool to use to remove the front shock inserts from the struts. I use the Bilstein tool and the universal tool is a large pipe wrench.

To loosen the top nut on the front struts, I use an impact wrench....to tighten it....you need to hold the shaft while torquing the lock nut. A large offset wrench would be ideal...I hold a socket with my channel locks.

It is an easy job.

anthony · Post by **anthony** » Fri Mar 30, 2012 6:26 pm

When I did this, the spring compressor was not to fully able to compress the struts. It made for a terrible experience. I got them at harbor freight, they were cheap but inafactive.

Blaise · Post by **Blaise** » Fri Mar 30, 2012 7:16 pm

This is the one I have:

http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_1260 ... ockType=G1

bgriff · Post by **bgriff** » Sat Mar 31, 2012 10:40 am

Thanks guys, I'm off to Sears for a spring compressor!

Will I need to add oil to these shocks? I know you can't see what I have, but I've picked up a set of used Bilstein HDs for this 6er and I'm just feeling my way along on this little project.

Bob G

Robert Bondi · Post by **Robert Bondi** » Sat Mar 31, 2012 12:26 pm

bgriff wrote:Thanks guys, I'm off to Sears for a spring compressor!

Will I need to add oil to these shocks? I know you can't see what I have, but I've picked up a set of used Bilstein HDs for this 6er and I'm just feeling my way along on this little project.

Bob G

The front take oil, the back do not (at least on the E12).

Blaise · Post by **Blaise** » Sat Mar 31, 2012 2:43 pm

Robert Bondi wrote:
bgriff wrote:Thanks guys, I'm off to Sears for a spring compressor!

Will I need to add oil to these shocks? I know you can't see what I have, but I've picked up a set of used Bilstein HDs for this 6er and I'm just feeling my way along on this little project.

Bob G
The front take oil, the back do not (at least on the E12).

They are all sealed and you will not be adding oil to any of them

Robert Bondi · Post by **Robert Bondi** » Sun Apr 01, 2012 9:04 pm

Blaise wrote:
Robert Bondi wrote:
bgriff wrote:Thanks guys, I'm off to Sears for a spring compressor!

Will I need to add oil to these shocks? I know you can't see what I have, but I've picked up a set of used Bilstein HDs for this 6er and I'm just feeling my way along on this little project.

Bob G
The front take oil, the back do not (at least on the E12).
They are all sealed and you will not be adding oil to any of them

OK. The shocks themselves are all sealed, but the front strut assemblies take a little oil after the shocks are inserted.

Blaise · Post by **Blaise** » Sun Apr 01, 2012 9:51 pm

Robert Bondi wrote:
Blaise wrote:
Robert Bondi wrote: The front take oil, the back do not (at least on the E12).
They are all sealed and you will not be adding oil to any of them
OK. The shocks themselves are all sealed, but the front strut assemblies take a little oil after the shocks are inserted.

That's news to me. Where do you add oil? The only part of the removable strut assembly that moves is the top bearing assembly and that takes grease.

Robert Bondi · Post by **Robert Bondi** » Sun Apr 01, 2012 10:07 pm

Blaise wrote:
Robert Bondi wrote:
Blaise wrote: They are all sealed and you will not be adding oil to any of them
OK. The shocks themselves are all sealed, but the front strut assemblies take a little oil after the shocks are inserted.
That's news to me. Where do you add oil? The only part of the removable strut assembly that moves is the top bearing assembly and that takes grease.

This oil isn't for lubrication; I think it's actually for heat transfer. You're supposed to put an ounce or so of oil in the cylindrical strut sleeve and then put the shock insert in slowly. This displaces all the air in the strut assembly. The oil film conducts heat much better than air. This info is in the blue factory manual too.

Blaise · Post by **Blaise** » Sun Apr 01, 2012 10:22 pm

Blaise wrote:
Robert Bondi wrote:
Blaise wrote: They are all sealed and you will not be adding oil to any of them
OK. The shocks themselves are all sealed, but the front strut assemblies take a little oil after the shocks are inserted.
That's news to me. Where do you add oil? The only part of the removable strut assembly that moves is the top bearing assembly and that takes grease.

Thanks, I had no idea.

tschultz · Post by **tschultz** » Mon Apr 02, 2012 10:34 pm

Hope that your rears aren't corroded in place. If they are, a tie rod puller and bolt inserted where the old bolt came out worked wonders on my e28...

Mike W. · Post by **Mike W.** » Tue Apr 03, 2012 10:08 pm

tschultz wrote:Hope that your rears aren't corroded in place. If they are, a tie rod puller and bolt inserted where the old bolt came out worked wonders on my e28...

E12s just bolt up flush, they don't sleeve in like E28s.