6.9 Front/Rear Struts

[Styria]

At long last, I have some rebuilt units available. It is my understanding that new units are just about no longer available and, if and when they are, the price is substantial.



What you see is what you get, and it needs to be on an exchange basis in order to maintain a reasonable supply now and at future times. The price is a more than reasonable $350.00 exchange, but postage is not included. For instance, to send a fully insured unit, registered to Canberra, the postage is $22.00. Without insurance, about $12.00. Please note that neither top nor bottom mounts are included and exchange units are to be supplied on the same basis as detailed in the photograph. The core charge, fully refundable, will be $200.00 and there is a six months warranty on the unit. Regards Styria

 

[Oversize]

Styria I've probably asked this before, but where do you get the dust boots from? Are they MB, BMW or something else? Do you strip the struts completely apart and what's the most common problem? Is the chrome shaft often damaged? Do you blast the strut clean of old paint n debris before repainting? Thanks so much for offering this service. I'm sure I'll be using it in the future....

 

[Styria]

Hi Mark, easy to answer most of your questions. Firstly, I do not bead blast the old units - a lot of markings can occur on the body due to the dismantling process. They are very stubborn to pull apart. Each strut comes in three sections (obviously) and they have been assembled originally using loctite. It is a two man job to pull them apart. In addition, the bottom mounts (not illustrated here) can also involve a two man operation and it is difficult not to damage those mounts. I have those rebuilt as well.

The markings on the body as a result of the dismantling process I file smoothly as best as I can, unless I was to seek recourse to a lathe. Hardly worth the additional expense. Paint is applied after the strut has been re-assembled. Simple pressure pack. The illustration shows what appears to be a dust boot. On the fronts, those 'dust boots' are partially hidden by the bottom 'cups' - I just don't know what else to call them. However, those 'dust' boots' are not what they appear to be - it is in fact a very solid rebound rubber bump stop. Any strut taken on an exchange basis will require that bump stop rubber. There is no bump stop on the rear struts, but they do in fact have concertina rubber boots - they are quite expensive (last time I priced them about $70.00 each side), but I use replacement items istead - not quite as good, but satisfactory in my view. If I supplied original, I'd have to charge extra. Also, neither front nor rear struts are supplied with respective mounts. I have the bottom mounts rebuilt, and resell them, separately at extra charge. Sorry it's all money, but that's what has to be allowed for.

Regarding the internals - there are a number of rubber and specially shaped neoprene seals and they are the ones that cost money. Shafts as a rule are not an issue, and there is also a cast iron ring that acts as a piston ring, with various perforated discs that are contained within the piston. I have been advised not to touch those by the hydraulic company that I deal with. Mark, I hope that answers most of your questions. Regards Styria

 

[Oversize]

Styria when you say "bottom mounts", are you referring to the ball joint, or something else?

Are the rear dust boots still $70ea?