The Project Pad

No I don't actually...thats the main reason I haven't ordered a bearing yet. As soon as I get the spare Bilstein from Cary, I can take the measurement I need and decide what kind of fit I want with the bearing. I know I want to go with Aurora though. As far as I know, they are really good.

Lower profile hats aren't a bad idea. My hats do the same thing, but that is only part of the problem. It would definitely be beneficial to make some thinner hats. The problem that you run into with aluminum is the strength at that point...with steel it shouldn't matter however. Maybe I'll look into that one day, but for now I am focusing on the mounts.

oldsklaudidub wrote:

nuugen wrote:LOL my son is..

That's a problem b/c I am a Buffalo Bull, see you Nov 26th on the gridiron :bang:

Sry Chris for the threadjack, but this is very important for the suspension.

Hhahaha yeah but I will be out of town on that date!

Chris I thought I measured the Bilstein strut threaded portion diameter a few million pages ago??

We are looking for measurements the unthreaded portion.

yes, the unthreaded portion

Chris, call Bilstein (east coast), The tech department is very helpful, if you tell them what you are doing they will give you the measurements. Their warehouse is located on site and they are able to pull product to measure if they do not have technical drawing measurements available on file. They may have to call you back a day or two later; but this option sure beats having to dish out let alone find a blown Bilstein Sport. You are also getting the info from the houses mouth for say.

I have just noticed a hiccup in my plans now. The solution you are working on is for the Bilstein, my plan was the Koni's, I know for a fact that the dimensions of Bilstein strut rod/piston are larger (wider diameter) than the Koni's, b/c of that inverted, blah, blah, blah, design. I am forced into the Bilstein setup now b/c I will need to purchase this "fix" from you (pending it works), which is inherently designed for the Bilstein's.

Then again I do not know the details of your fix; if the only factor that will affect the strut selection is the bearing then I would assume that I need a bearing from Aurora that is the same diameter and thickness as the one you'll be using for the Bilstein's; All I would need is a bearing with those dimensions plus the appropriate inner diameter for the Koni's.

I would also assume the threaded portion of the strut would be the same dimensions on the Koni's and Bilstein's in order to fit the stock upper strut mount; only the unthreaded portion of the strut rod/piston would have a different diameter?

You've pretty much got the right idea. All you would need to use Konis is a different bearing from Aurora assuming they can do one with different ID, but the same OD it would be perfect and very easy to do.

I have one Bilstein on the way from Nuugen already, so no worries about that. I don't just need it for the measurement, I also need it just as kind of a jig. If I had the 90 running and licensed this would be much easier, but that just isn't the case.

I'm glad you're trying to go with Konis because it gives another option for us T44 guys I love my Bilsteins, but I'm all about blazing a new path. If it did turn out that you had to go Bilstein, I'm sure you'd be very happy however. They really are perfect and would be even better valved exactly to match the springs you choose.

Either brand should be designed to be used with the same factory strut mount. Therefore, the dimension should be the same. Only relevant difference would be the size/shape of the nut that retains the strut insert. I would imagine the koni version would be smaller and less prone to bottom out on the A1 hats. Then again, that might not even be an issue in your application.

The actual diameter of the strut tube is 50mm on the Sports..

don't want the strut tube diameter though...I want the diameter of the unthreaded portion just under the threaded portion

cool..Stuff will ship out tomorrow..

Well I did some digging, I might have blown a bunch of hot air over nothing. This is what I found out (sorry if this seems like school or stuff you already know):

The shaft (not the yellow part either strut, that is the strut body) on both struts can be broken down into 3 sections (from bottom to top)

1) First the main shaft (this is the larger diameter section of the shaft, clearly shown for both strut brands)

2) Then you can see the shaft go down to a much narrow diameterer, the narrower diameter section right above the large diameter section of the shaft is smooth (this is clearly seen on both brands). This should measure to be the same diameter for both b/c it has to fit into the metal sleeve in the upper strut mount.
This smooth narrow diameter section of the shaft is where the Aurora strut bearing will be placde in the fix. Am I correct?

3) Next comes the threaded part which goes up through the upper strut mount and sit just above, which is where the nut is secured

If I am not mistaken the white ring in the picture bellow is the stock strut bearing?


The Bilstein shocks are ENORMOUS compared to the Boge Turbos. The Koni's should be similar in size to the Boge. This gives us a good picture to investigate if there is an issue:


Attachment ( 23666 ) : s2_401036_15083906_16575317.jpg


Attachment ( 23667 ) : koni.jpg

loxxrider wrote:don't want the strut tube diameter though...I want the diameter of the unthreaded portion just under the threaded portion

You want the part that marked with boxes and arrows to be measured, correct?

Attachment ( 23668 ) : 4145_79623706983_523876983_1881255_2365786_n.jpg

Yes Corey, you are correct on all counts. Glad we are communicating so effectively

loxxrider wrote:Yes Corey, you are correct on all counts. Glad we are communicating so effectively

Well now I am going to just make your day. I just remembered my conversation with the Koni engineer, he said I has two options; I could use the standard Koni Sports (86-2149SPT) or I could use the 8611 series, specifically the 8611-1257 (These are the same ones that 2Bennett uses in their kit). All I would need to do is place a 3" spacer in the strut housing to take up the space for the short strut body. The Koni 86-2149SPT and 8611-1257 are justified by the part # which indicated they are both 86 series.

So what does this mean? Glad you asked

The part you want measured for the bearing is included on their technical diagram online. I am going to say based on the diagram the number you are looking for is 5/8". I am going to be interested to know what you come up with on the Bilstein's:

http://performanceshock.com/KONI_86_series_race.pdf

Interesting. Thats great to know about the Konis. The spacer would be really easy to make. That number is the diameter correct? I will still measure before I order a bearing, but I believe you for sure.

loxxrider wrote:Interesting. Thats great to know about the Konis. The spacer would be really easy to make. That number is the diameter correct? I will still measure before I order a bearing, but I believe you for sure.

5/8" is the correct # now

Doesnt the mount look like 16mm? (200 20vt mount)

Did you happen to see that the strut was machined to work with the 5/8?

loxxrider wrote:Did you happen to see that the strut was machined to work with the 5/8?

I never clicked submit, how did you see that?

Interesting little something I came across about the bilsteins while I was on my quest:

see, the ID on that strut mount pictured is roughly 18mm...that is the OD of the smooth part of the bilstein in the link you posted here

http://www.smartracingproducts.com/pdfd ... ut_mod.pdf

we need a spherical bearing with ID of roughly 18mm or .709". The closest Aurora gets with that is .750". That amount of play may be acceptable, but I'm not sure.

Looks more like 17mm lol. The smart racing diagram is for a Porsche insert, which may or may not be the same dimension as an audi one. I'll wait this one out until someone measures the actual Audi insert with something other than a ruler lol (ie: calipers).

lol yep, that will be me soon as I get it

muahahaha



I think I have found the bearing I want to use. Ready to go in an assembly in CAD. This is fun

I have gotten in touch with someone at Aurora to discuss further. He's gotta call me back though.

Very naaaaice! How much?

haha actually...after speaking to Bilstein directly about that dimension just now, I have been able to choose a better bearing which is Ptfe lined and doesn't have that oil hole and groove.

Still don't know the cost. Will find out when I get a call back.

loxxrider wrote:haha actually...after speaking to Bilstein directly about that dimension just now, I have been able to choose a better bearing which is Ptfe lined and doesn't have that oil hole and groove.

Still don't know the cost. Will find out when I get a call back.

what did Bilstein say the dimension was for the bearing ID?

was it 5/8"?