[larcrsb]

08 335xi strut problem...guy i bought it from, jumped a curve, bent control arm and strut...proper bilstein strut {22214287} ordered from two sources...both 2 inches short...he ran my vin number said its the proper part number and verified it through other sources...are we missing something here?

[feuer]

Which part is shorter? From clevis to strut mount? Or just the part that goes through the clevis? Also, post photos.

[larcrsb]

cartridge its self

[rothwem]

The Bilstein monotubes don't stick out as far from the bottom of the knuckle if I recall correctly. Set the new one and the old one next to each other lining up where the knuckle clamps and they might line up correctly.

[Brian86]

Pretty sure all the struts are the same length.

If I recall, as mentioned above, the bilstein struts don't seat down into the spindle very far. There is a step up in the diameter that seats on too of the spindle bore. Is it possible you opened up the split spindle bore too far and drove the struts in too deeply?

[Brian86]

Found Pics. Not very clear but the step is just visible in the cropped photo by the arrow. That step should be at the top of the spindle to prevent it from sliding further down.

[Brian86]

My post above is wrong. I was swapping the snow tires off this afternoon and noticed that I was wrong about the diameter step on the Bilstein shocks.

See the new photo attached for the fitment of the Bilstein's on the front of my e91 xdrive. Ride height is perfectly normal so I'm confident I installed them correctly.

There must be a step in the spindle bore which supports the bottom of the strut.

[larcrsb]

cartridge its self is just about 3 inches shorter than the original. have a picture but it wont load

[larcrsb]

i just seen a post on here that said awd front struts are shorter than rwd struts. thats confusing because the awd struts put the fender down to my tire and are almost 3 inches shorter. no one seams to list strut dimensions.

[rothwem]

Originally Posted by Brian86

Pretty sure all the struts are the same length.

AWD struts are shorter, the strut clamp on the knuckle is raised to clear the CV axle.

Originally Posted by larcrsb

i just seen a post on here that said awd front struts are shorter than rwd struts. thats confusing because the awd struts put the fender down to my tire and are almost 3 inches shorter. no one seams to list strut dimensions.

Maybe this is a dumb question, but you're SURE that your car is AWD? You see an axle plugged into the knuckle?

[larcrsb]

yes, its awd...also had to put new axle in it...i ordered a rwd strut as it seems to be the proper length...its coming in about 3:00, so ill have that answer soon

[rothwem]

Something isn't right here. Is it possible that Bilstein sent you the wrong part number?

EDIT: looked up the P/N for the AWD B6s I bought for my previous xDrive E91 a couple years ago: 35-142454-Front Left, 35-142461-Front Right

[larcrsb]

ordered strut off ebay, to short...so they ran vin and it was the right part number, in fact, he also said "somethings not right". bilstein 2214287 and 2214294

[larcrsb]

problem solved but still defies explanation...this awd bmw takes rwd struts on the front

[Brian86]

Originally Posted by rothwem

Something isn't right here. Is it possible that Bilstein sent you the wrong part number?

EDIT: looked up the P/N for the AWD B6s I bought for my previous xDrive E91 a couple years ago: 35-142454-Front Left, 35-142461-Front Right

Some sort of mix up. My 4wd has the same part numbers referenced above.

[larcrsb]

those part numbers are just about 3 inches to short on mine

[Tambohamilton]

How's the ride height now, with rwd strut?

[larcrsb]

ride height is level

[aphael]

the rwd struts are longer than the xi ones, not sure how you got a rwd strut to fit in there though.

[Brian86]

Originally Posted by aphael

the rwd struts are longer than the xi ones, not sure how you got a rwd strut to fit in there though.

Lowering springs?

[larcrsb]

no one seems to have an answer ass to why, but xi struts put the fender well down to the tire, just about 3 inches shorter than the strut i pulled off. it sits level with these stuts

[Tambohamilton]

It must be the springs. Either lowering springs or broken/cut. With rwd struts and level stance it must be riding deep into the 'aux spring' (bump stop)