Drivers front strut replacement - United Bimmer Community

DEATH2000 · 07-27-2006, 11:31 AM

Well i had my car in for an alignment then it started pulling again so i took it back cause i knew it shouldnt be doing that and in the inspection report they said they checked the suspension out and it was ok. Well i took it back and they had another look, and they were able to determine the front strut was "leaking" is what they told me and thus needed replacement. I dunno much about the part so can somone confirm the validity of this claim? Also since im lowering the car i should replace all 4, but would it be ok just to replace the front ones since im low in cash? Thanks

**defkon99** · 07-27-2006, 11:56 AM

Yup its happens allright! well the front is goin to be more expensive than the back just so u know, but doing 2 at a time wouldnt hurt.

**EuroStyle** · 07-27-2006, 01:02 PM

It is ok to replace just the two front struts, but you should never mix gas and automatic shocks (ie stock rear shocks w/ Bilstein Sport or Koni SA struts)

If you plan on lowering the car I would just bite the bullet and do it all now. It will end up saving you money in the long run.

-Matt

**c1apton** · 07-27-2006, 03:10 PM

Just make sure if you're replacing struts (& springs later) that the new struts are compatable with your future spring set-up.

**94bmw325i** · 07-27-2006, 08:40 PM

Do it at all at once man, thats what I ended up doing when my front struts were done.

**Alpine328i** · 07-28-2006, 11:13 PM

Well, I guess, TECHNICALLY SPEAKING you could mix "gas and automatic shocks" as EuroStyle has previously mentioned. For instance, I have two Bilstein Touring struts on order from bavauto (see my previous post in the E36 forum on this topic).

If you're light on the loot, just get two for the front and do the rears later.

Well, that's my opinions... I'm sure I'll get shit for it, lol...

DEATH2000 · 07-29-2006, 08:10 PM

Ok that helps, but what i asked is im loweing the car with Koni springs and shocks all around, and what i needed to knof if its ok just to replace the front two struts rather then all 4?

**Dudesky** · 07-30-2006, 09:22 AM

Yes, you'll be fine. You can do the fronts first, then the rears, just don't drive crazy or anything like that before you complete the job, because your springs won't be matched. Be prepared for unusual handling behavior, but it shouldn't be too bad at all. If you ask me, you really should wait till you get everything and then do it all at once . . depending on how much time you need to get up the cash, you can probably "baby" that blown strut till then by taking it easy on the car. When I bought my car, it had both fronts blown and leaking. I ran on those for a good 3-4mo before replacing everything.

**mullethunter3** · 07-30-2006, 09:42 AM

Bilstein Sports FTW!

DEATH2000 · 07-31-2006, 01:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dudesky

Yes, you'll be fine. You can do the fronts first, then the rears, just don't drive crazy or anything like that before you complete the job, because your springs won't be matched. Be prepared for unusual handling behavior, but it shouldn't be too bad at all. If you ask me, you really should wait till you get everything and then do it all at once . . depending on how much time you need to get up the cash, you can probably "baby" that blown strut till then by taking it easy on the car. When I bought my car, it had both fronts blown and leaking. I ran on those for a good 3-4mo before replacing everything.

Ok good to know thanks. I make good money were i work (pub) so i can save the money easily within a month. I just had other shit i was planning to spend my money on first. So this comes as a kick in the balls to my bank account. Im getting a set of Koni springs and shocks.

**Alpine328i** · 08-17-2006, 08:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dudesky

Yes, you'll be fine. You can do the fronts first, then the rears, just don't drive crazy or anything like that before you complete the job, because your springs won't be matched. Be prepared for unusual handling behavior, but it shouldn't be too bad at all. If you ask me, you really should wait till you get everything and then do it all at once . . depending on how much time you need to get up the cash, you can probably "baby" that blown strut till then by taking it easy on the car. When I bought my car, it had both fronts blown and leaking. I ran on those for a good 3-4mo before replacing everything.

So, I'm doing my bilsteins this Sunday (front only) and I have the OEM rears on there for now... what kind of "unusual handling" should I expect? I dont understand why this would make a difference.....

Thanks in advance....

**Dudesky** · 08-19-2006, 05:23 AM

^^^ I said that because Death was doing his springs at the same time. That would mean his springs would be changed along with the front struts first, then the rear springs and shocks sometime later. Because of the different springs during the interim between front & rear, he might experience some weird handling. But you will be okay if you're just changing the struts.

**Alpine328i** · 08-19-2006, 08:56 AM

Cool man, thanks!

**94bmw325i** · 08-19-2006, 02:06 PM

yeha actually e36 blown suspension is still alright, I mean I drove with mine for at least 2-3 weeks, and it still handled pretty well. Probably could have had it for a lot longer.

**Alpine328i** · 08-19-2006, 06:43 PM

So I put on my Bilstein Tourings today. I was going to do it tomorrow, but it's supposed to rain like a mofo.

And I'm sorry to say that I'm not impressed. It's not that I dont like them, it's just I thought it would change the handling a little more. To be honest, I dont feel like it made any difference at all.

Um. yeah.. that's pretty much all I have to say about that. So if you're looking for an "upgrade", dont buy these. If you're looking just for an OEM replacement, then do it up, these are your struts.

--Bailey

(yes, I know this is a duplicate post on two threads, but I thought it to be relevant to both conversations)