Lancia Beta Forum

Some time ago, I bought a pair of front strut casings which were powder coated and came with a pair of new Bilstein inserts.
I need to know if there should be anything else in the tube like washers, rubber rings or whatever or do the inserts simply drop in on their own and be retained by the threaded rings?
Also, what tool do I need to tighten these as it looks like I need a pin spanner of some sort and do they require Loctite or tightening to a specific torque?
Finally for now, my own struts seem to have about 5mm of "play" where the centre rod of the insert passes through the top mount and make a knocking sound when the car is bounced.
Any idea what I'm looking for as I want to start gathering up the components to fit my replacement struts along with the front bushings and probably wheel bearings over the winter.
Thanks.

I've just nipped mine up with a pin spanner, never had one come adrift or loose.

I had a socket made up for undoing them but a pin spanner is fine for doing them up.

The inserts should just drop in but depending on their quality they may need to be dressed a little at the bottom so they sit down in the casing properly. So long as you get a good few threads of the lock nuts engaged you'll be fine.

Not sure why there is play in the top mounts - there shouldn't be.

Stuart

I wasn't sure about whether there was any additional hardware between the insert top  and the lockring as I had looked at my Haynes manual but they only show a breakdown of a sealed strut which now I know is different.
Thanks for putting me at ease on the issue.
I'll find out soon enough where the movement is the top mount is coming from I suppose.
I have a spare pair of complete struts so I possibly have spares.
Anyway, this is all ahead of me for the long winter evenings.
For now it's just driving, hoping and enjoying.

I'll post up a picture from the dealer repair manual later

Hope this helps.....

I purchased some rear Bilsteins and the tool for the locking ring was in the box with the shock absorbers

Thanks Matt.
I'm missing the lower three pieces shown below the locking ring in item 11 as I purchased my stuff from another man who bought them from someone else for a Stratos kit car and ended up not using them so I'll have to try and salvabe them from my spare struts.
The main thing is I now know they should be fitted and that's the big thing.
Hey Zagato, any sign of you getting yours on the road? Were you in Terenure yesterday?

No it wasnt me  ... still working on it ... but we are getting there ... very slowly

Keep up the good work!
I meant were you there at all?
I know the only spider there was mine ;D