Help! B4 strut install question

jacobsed · 06-12-2016, 10:50 AM

Hi, I'm putting new Bilstein B4 struts on my 2006 330xi. On the B4's there aren't any stops on the body of the strut to know how bar into the knuckle they need to go? What I've done is put them in as far as they will go (with a jack) and the driver side goes in farther than the passenger side. Is that normal? What am I missing? Thanks!

PhaseP · 06-13-2016, 04:03 AM

You have XI, and the XI spindle where the strut goes in at the bottom has a taper that narrows down. This matches the same taper that the strut has at its bottom. I mean the section where the diameter of the strut body reduces. You should place it such that the two tapers match. When tightened this prevents the strut going further down. You can use a small mirror, (auto inspection mirror is best) with a light to see where exactly strut seats from the crack of the spindle clasp on the back side.

jacobsed · 06-13-2016, 06:01 AM

thanks for the reply. i was able to do exactly as you described and i'm good to go!

06-12-2016, 10:50 AM	#1
jacobsed Lieutenant 23 Rep 463 Posts Drives: 2006 330xi Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: United States iTrader: (2)	Help! B4 strut install question Hi, I'm putting new Bilstein B4 struts on my 2006 330xi. On the B4's there aren't any stops on the body of the strut to know how bar into the knuckle they need to go? What I've done is put them in as far as they will go (with a jack) and the driver side goes in farther than the passenger side. Is that normal? What am I missing? Thanks!
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06-13-2016, 04:03 AM	#2
PhaseP Colonel 1007 Rep 2,108 Posts Drives: 325XI Join Date: May 2010 Location: Earth iTrader: (0)	You have XI, and the XI spindle where the strut goes in at the bottom has a taper that narrows down. This matches the same taper that the strut has at its bottom. I mean the section where the diameter of the strut body reduces. You should place it such that the two tapers match. When tightened this prevents the strut going further down. You can use a small mirror, (auto inspection mirror is best) with a light to see where exactly strut seats from the crack of the spindle clasp on the back side.
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06-13-2016, 06:01 AM	#3
jacobsed Lieutenant 23 Rep 463 Posts Drives: 2006 330xi Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: United States iTrader: (2)	thanks for the reply. i was able to do exactly as you described and i'm good to go!
	Appreciate 0 Quote