Suspension Rear Bilstein B4 (Sport / Touring) OEM Replacement issue with bump stop washer
#1
Rear Bilstein B4 (Sport / Touring) OEM Replacement issue with bump stop washer
I'm replacing the rear struts on my 2006 MCS. The B4's I'm using do not have a tapered mount for the washer that goes above the bump stop. I tried to figure out the best way to mount it and was able the get them setup with the washer upside down and pressed into the bump stop. Similar to the OEM setup.
On my test drive there's all kinds of noise coming from the struts. I read another thread on a BMW forum where a guy had a similar issue and ended up not using the washers.
Has anyone else installed these and how did it go? What did you do with the washer?
Thanks.
On my test drive there's all kinds of noise coming from the struts. I read another thread on a BMW forum where a guy had a similar issue and ended up not using the washers.
Has anyone else installed these and how did it go? What did you do with the washer?
Thanks.
#5
That is weird for when I pull up pictures of the B4 OE grade they show a large pan washer sitting on a machined perch,
I have also found that the RealOEM templates do not reflect the two piece foam spacers that the first sits between the spring plate and the guide support and then the smaller second one fits on top of the guide support and the concave washer.
I have also found that the RealOEM templates do not reflect the two piece foam spacers that the first sits between the spring plate and the guide support and then the smaller second one fits on top of the guide support and the concave washer.
#6
RedAggie,
if if you haven’t already looked, the pelican parts instructions are what I used for our Bilstein B4 install.
https://www.pelicanparts.com/techart...eplacement.htm
if if you haven’t already looked, the pelican parts instructions are what I used for our Bilstein B4 install.
https://www.pelicanparts.com/techart...eplacement.htm
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PelicanParts.com (04-03-2018)
#7
RedAggie,
if if you haven’t already looked, the pelican parts instructions are what I used for our Bilstein B4 install.
https://www.pelicanparts.com/techart...eplacement.htm
if if you haven’t already looked, the pelican parts instructions are what I used for our Bilstein B4 install.
https://www.pelicanparts.com/techart...eplacement.htm
Yes, I followed this guide actually. The washer in question is figure 9.
Also notice that in the user comments - two people describe the same issue I'm having.
I pushed the new bump stop down on the piston, then put the washer concave side UP (opposite from OEM) since the flange is flat on the piston and not tapered like on the oem shock. It's effectively the same setup as stock.
It makes a pretty awful racket. I'm good at wrenching and take my time. The 13mm bolts were torqued to 41 ft/lbs and the large 21mm lower bolt torqued to 106 ft/lbs per the instructions on Pelican Parts. It's not making noise because I missed something or it's not tight.
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#10
I had the same problem with the knocking, I posted my results in an earlier post. My struts did not have this washer, I went to the hardware store and got a washer that would fit. I'm still trying to figure out how putting the washer in keeps it from knocking. The bump stop is made to work on the compression of the strut which would push the bump stop up against the top of the strut housing and the bottom half of the strut, with that being said, I added the washer and the thumping stopped.
#11
#12
What is odd is that my car did not have these washers on either side. It was a one owner car that was only serviced by the stealer, which I have all the service history which shows them changing the struts several times. Who am I kidding, the service history also stated they changed the timing chain guides before they changed the oil pan gasket, when I went to change the oil pan gasket, BIG pieces of TIMING CHAIN GUIDE were in the oil pan....
#13
I had the same problem with the knocking, I posted my results in an earlier post. My struts did not have this washer, I went to the hardware store and got a washer that would fit. I'm still trying to figure out how putting the washer in keeps it from knocking. The bump stop is made to work on the compression of the strut which would push the bump stop up against the top of the strut housing and the bottom half of the strut, with that being said, I added the washer and the thumping stopped.
#14
End links are stock and were not removed during the install. So no change there.
I literally pulled out the 13mm bolts, the 21mm lower bolt and slid them out. Compressed the spring, and swapped the B4 in, and re-installed.
I literally pulled out the 13mm bolts, the 21mm lower bolt and slid them out. Compressed the spring, and swapped the B4 in, and re-installed.
#15
That's why I wanted to run the washer - the surface area on the piston against that cap would be pretty small and I was worried it might bend without the washer. but now I have a noise....
#17
I don't have the B4. As a bystander I suspect the knocking is due to the worn 2-piece "rubber" bushing that capture the strut shaft. If you have a high mileage car and these bushing is original, they are likely to long lost their elasticity. I can see the lower one compressed beyond its intended limit and allows the strut to hit the body sheet metal during a compression stoke, causing the knock.
#18
Could this be an issue of not torquing the top strut nut to the proper spec? When I replaced the struts initially they did not make any thumping. Over time, maybe the nut loosened. Putting the washer there may just be a placebo effect and removing the nut and re-torquing the nut may resolve the problem? just my 2cents....
#19
Could this be an issue of not torquing the top strut nut to the proper spec? When I replaced the struts initially they did not make any thumping. Over time, maybe the nut loosened. Putting the washer there may just be a placebo effect and removing the nut and re-torquing the nut may resolve the problem? just my 2cents....
Remember, every slightest bump even down to the big gravels on the road these bushing parts get a workout.
#20
One more thought on the synthetic bushing. It is designed to isolate the diamond shape upper suspension flange bracket coming into contact with the strut shaft. When they become tired and old, the shaft may be rubbing and hitting the hole of the flange's center hole as a result of sideways movements. I can see that can cause knocking as well.
#22
I don't have the B4. As a bystander I suspect the knocking is due to the worn 2-piece "rubber" bushing that capture the strut shaft. If you have a high mileage car and these bushing is original, they are likely to long lost their elasticity. I can see the lower one compressed beyond its intended limit and allows the strut to hit the body sheet metal during a compression stoke, causing the knock.
Could this be an issue of not torquing the top strut nut to the proper spec? When I replaced the struts initially they did not make any thumping. Over time, maybe the nut loosened. Putting the washer there may just be a placebo effect and removing the nut and re-torquing the nut may resolve the problem? just my 2cents....
#23
#24
No, the car went from solid and quiet to instant noise that sounded like the whole rear sub frame was going to fall out.
I pulled one one out and inspected. I don’t see any odd signs, but I went ahead and disassembled everything. I think it’s an order of washers and bumpstops issue
This is how it was positioned when it came off. That’s the stock washer
Bump stop height difference
This big washer fits nicely around the shaft and sits on the lip perfect. I wonder if this should be the washer on top of the bumpstop? Don’t reuse the stock one and use the stock conclaves washer on the top nut...??? Only issue I see is the bump stop would be quite a bit taller than the stock one.
I pulled one one out and inspected. I don’t see any odd signs, but I went ahead and disassembled everything. I think it’s an order of washers and bumpstops issue
This is how it was positioned when it came off. That’s the stock washer
Bump stop height difference
This big washer fits nicely around the shaft and sits on the lip perfect. I wonder if this should be the washer on top of the bumpstop? Don’t reuse the stock one and use the stock conclaves washer on the top nut...??? Only issue I see is the bump stop would be quite a bit taller than the stock one.
#25
No, the car went from solid and quiet to instant noise that sounded like the whole rear sub frame was going to fall out.
I pulled one one out and inspected. I don’t see any odd signs, but I went ahead and disassembled everything. I think it’s an order of washers and bumpstops issue
This is how it was positioned when it came off. That’s the stock washer
Bump stop height difference
This big washer fits nicely around the shaft and sits on the lip perfect. I wonder if this should be the washer on top of the bumpstop? Don’t reuse the stock one and use the stock conclaves washer on the top nut...??? Only issue I see is the bump stop would be quite a bit taller than the stock one.
I pulled one one out and inspected. I don’t see any odd signs, but I went ahead and disassembled everything. I think it’s an order of washers and bumpstops issue
This is how it was positioned when it came off. That’s the stock washer
Bump stop height difference
This big washer fits nicely around the shaft and sits on the lip perfect. I wonder if this should be the washer on top of the bumpstop? Don’t reuse the stock one and use the stock conclaves washer on the top nut...??? Only issue I see is the bump stop would be quite a bit taller than the stock one.
Here is Koni's "drawing", showing the stock top washer (8) concave up.
I wonder if it is possible that in your stackup, the steel sleeve is not being clamped tight by the stackup leaving a gap because of the bushing not being compressed enough. If so I can see you will have knocking on each stroke.
Last edited by pnwR53S; 04-04-2018 at 04:10 PM.
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SunBird (11-28-2019)