For those who've installed Bilsteins...
 

...I could use some help.

Installed Bilstein HD on my 2010 Justa last weekend, on TSW springs. The front has NO suspension movement whatsoever, the car seems to be resting on the bump stop.

Of course, during the install, we removed the front factory bump stop completely. However, it seems the front factory shock set up on the Mini has TWO bump stops...the regular, lower bump stop which we took out, but there is also a large rubber bump further up in the strut assembly, that the top hat seems to rest on.

Were we supposed to ALSO remove this second rubber bump stop?? I'm trying to figure out if the lack of suspension movement is from the HD's being installed on a modest lowering spring, thus riding on it's own, internal bump stop...or if I should have removed this second, upper bump stop in the strut assembly.

The front ride height is significantly higher than the ride height was on the factory struts. I also cannot get any "push" downward on the suspension in front, even using all my body weight directly on the shock tower. None.

So...does anyone know of that second, upper bump stop on the factory strut set up? And does anyone know if we were supposed to have removed this, as well as the lower, regular looking bump stop?

vicj...saw your post on the other thread. I can almost guarantee that your struts are not fully dropped into the collars. What you describe is identical to what happened to me. I wound up taking the car in for help at a suspension shop where I've gone before. I was told that it's a difficult fit. They used floor jacks after cleaning the inside of the collars with emery cloth and applying silicone grease.

I don't know. I'm pretty sure our bolt went THROUGH the guide hole on the strut, not under, but i'll have a look.

vicj...took a couple of quick phone shots of the fully seated strut. I think you can see how far below the collar it is.

Thank you for the pics. Mine are installed correctly. That's not the reason.....hopefully someone else has some ideas.

Sorry that doesn't help. All I can tell you is that I merely trimmed, but did not remove, the bump stops. I took about a half-inch or more off the hard, white stops, but otherwise left everything the way it was on the oem strut. The ride height in front is much lower than stock and, as far as I can tell, the springs and struts have full range of movement. Good luck.

vicj, did you solve your strut instal problem? If so, what was the issue?

Yes we solved it, lol I installed Koni Yellows...

Turns out the Billy's were riding on the internal bumpstop. Seems they did play well with the TSW springs.

Do you want to sell the Bilsteins? I am in the DC area.

I think Vic wants to sell them, send him a PM...

VICJ...