Small update, after much thought, I'm going to rebuild a set of struts with koni inserts. Mainly because I saw this decent donor set that is a match to whats in my car. I'll post some updates as I go.
Re: Suspension refresh questions
Posted: Sat Jan 17, 2026 8:42 am
by spacecad3t
Small update, but a big victory for my garage-less butt. Struts ready to be cut.
Im planning on keeping the springs and painting them. Anyone done this? Hows the paint hold up?
How are stock springs? They hold up well? Are these likely tired? They seem fine to me.
Thanks man, I do prefer Bilstein... So with this kit it appears you do not drill the bottom out to 14mm, but instead just remove 44.5mm from the top and weld the sleeve on? Is that with the collar removed? Any better instructions you know about?
Re: Suspension refresh questions
Posted: Sat Jan 17, 2026 11:56 pm
by stitch2k1
spacecad3t wrote: Sat Jan 17, 2026 11:55 pm
Any better instructions you know about?
Re: Suspension refresh questions
Posted: Sun Jan 18, 2026 12:37 am
by spacecad3t
I already drilled a 3mm hole in the bottom of the strut to drain the oil. It's likely ok I leave it? Or plug it when I weld the threaded inserts in?
spacecad3t wrote: Sat Jan 17, 2026 11:55 pm
Any better instructions you know about?
I'm at the point where I need to decide and I think I'm sold on the Bilstein conversion. I watched the video and have a question if you or anyone has an answer.
It is hard to tell from the video where he is measuring 44.5mm from. It looks like he has maybe even removed a little bit of the top where the crimped metal is?
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I would like to spare myself the fight with the crimps and just remove the top 1-2mm, then reduce down another 44.5mm form there.
Question really is, should I measure from the green line or the red?
The cuts are pretty straight and I triple checked the measurements. Still ended up not the same height.
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Rechecking the tops, both within 1-1.5mm from 44.5mm.
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Update: Spoke to my friend and he recommended measuring spindle mount center to cut, where I get 27 and 27.1cm -- Once I get the Bilsteins in, I'll test fit everything and post another update.
Bilstein strut upgrade article.pdf