Hello everyone, especially Bilstein HD installer and user,

Background: I suspected that Boge Turbo Gas Strut I installed three year ago were dead because I got a pronouce clunk going over large bumps like railroad tracks and the suspension was not as smooth over rough surface like it was when new. I started and finished my installation of new Bilstein HD Strut and shocks on my 1991 745 Turbo yesterday. (Got them for $359 from FCPGroton.) Please note I also installed new TRW ball joint, TRW outer tie rod, SKF strut bearings, and SKF strut mount.

Test drove the car this morning and I get lots of clunking. I mean I get clunking driving over small rocks let alone small bumps. Like I said before I only got clunking with the dead Boge Turbor Gas Struts over railroad tracks only. Never heard clunking from them over normal or rough road surface.

First question: I was told that Bilstein HD did not need strut boot or bumper stop like the Boge Turbo, so I did not install them. The Bilstein HD had its own strut boot but it did not have a strut bumper. Could this be the cause of the clunking?

Second question: I was also told that Bilstein HD did not need the locking nut, because the Bilstein HD size match up with the tube. (The locking nut prevent the Boge Turbo from moving in the tube.) Could this be the cause of the clunking?

Third question: The following is a list of parts for Boge Turbo Strut install versus Bilstein HD Strut install. Do you see anything wrong with either list. The list is in sequential install order?

Boge Turbo Strut Install = strut in tube, locking nut (prevent strut from moving in tube, strut boot, strut bumper, coil, upper coil rubber bumper, metal plate, strut mount bearing, strut mount, car frame, rubber insert, nut.

Bilstein HD Strut Install = strut in tube, coil, upper coil rubber bumper, metal plate, strut mount bearing, strut mount, car frame, rubber insert, nut.

Please help. I thought I was doing my car and myself a favor by intalling the New Bilstien HD Strut, Shocks, Ball Joint, Outer Tie Rod, Strut Mount Bearing, and Strut Mount. I cannot drive the car the way it is, so your advice is requested. (PS, I also would have replace the inner tie rod, but I bought the wrong rack boot. New inner tie rod will go on when I get the correct rack boot.) I thank you in advance for your replies.







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91 Volvo 745 Turbo, 91 Nissan 300ZX TT, and 01 Volvo S60 2.4T