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In Reply to: Removing the A/C posted by DJL '82 320i on May 23, 2000 at 22:44:49:
P30-0121 Front bilstein, street, 320i
P30-0125 Front Bilstein, sport 320i
P36-0126 Front Bilstein, sport 320/6, 323i
B46-0612 Rear Bilstein, street, 320i
B46-0617 Rear Bilstein, sport, 320i
B46-0605 Rear Bilstein, sport 320/6, 323i
In any case, I was most fortunate to locate the P36-0126. However, when I called Bilstein to get info on dampening rates to match/ verify spring rates, they told me that their archived catalog shows the P36-0126 as a HD, not sport. Knowing that, I then purchased HD for the rears. I can confirm that this is most likely correct per Bilstein since I don't feel the fronts being harsher than the rears. I did not replace with lowered springs since I wanted to keep the car within factory original condition.
Bilstein Corporation
Western Sales:
8845 Rehco Road,
San Diego, CA 92121
(800) 537-1085
Eastern Sales:
78 Rebeschi Drive,
North Haven, CT 06473
(800) 745-4636
________________
Bilstein did not recommend using any oil to fill the strut tube . Their reason was that it is a gas shock and for whatever reason (which I did not delve into), their gas shock did not require any external fluid for cooling. Taking their advice, I did not do so. However, I've been told that using transmission fluid is the better fluid for heat cooling.
With the P36-0126 Bilsteins inserted into the strut tube, there wasn't but maybe 1/32" wall clearance all around. I would guess that at most, 3-4 fluid ounces is all that's needed to fill up the strut housing. I had to chisel out the original strut collar nut. It was on there pretty darn tight.
What else you ask? It would be a great time to replace the strut mount bearings while tackling this. The only problem is that one doesn't really know of its condition until its removed and inspected for play. Anticipating the worse is better than having the car sit while the parts arrive. THe sway bar bushings on the lower control arms typically contribute to wheel shimmmy. Replacing these while tackling the struts would be quite simple. While you are at it, the sway bar busings located at the front of the car should also be replaced if one doesn't know the condition of them.
: Thinking about removing the A/C from my '82 320i. I live in Oregon and seldom have a need for it, besides I'm more of a sunroof open, all windows down kind of guy anyway. Plus maybe it'll lighten up the car a bit.
: But I still want to keep the electric fan so I can use it instead of the engine driven fan. Is this a hard task to undertake?
: Also, I'll be replacing springs and shocks this summer. I heard somethinig about an oil I need to pour in the strut housing before I put the shock in...what type of oil do I need? Is there anything else special I need? I have the Bilstien Sports and BavAuto Springs...what else?
: TIA!
: ~Derrick
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