Z3 Front Strut not lining up

[noonagon]

Good morning all,

Having an issue with the front struts on my 2000 2.3 Z3. I replaced the rears no problem, got to the fronts and now the holes are lining up at all. At first I added new mounts to the top, the lower holes and dowel didnt line up. The new mounts were taller than the stock, so I figured that was the issue. Changed back to the stock mounts and still, same issue. It is like the steuts are 2" too long. Does anyone compress the struts to put them in? Maybe with the spring compressor and then some straps? The replacements I have are the Bilstein B4 OE replacements. But again, no way I can attached them right now. Hopefully the pictures come through. Anyone have any ideas on how to tackle this?

Doug

https://ibb.co/gMdLMtJf
https://ibb.co/bRKGnv2y
https://ibb.co/21xMmhJz

 

[Eddie Zedder]

Your pics don't work, they can be loaded directly using the attach files button.

 

[hard top]

Your pics don't work

Click on the attachments.

 

[Eddie Zedder]

Click on the attachments.

Just blank for me!

 

[noonagon]

Sorry guys first time trying to attach on this forum. Maybe that worked? So, I detached the end link and was able to get it all attached, but it definitely has preload on it now

 

[NZ00Z3]

Check the part numbers for the new struts to ensure they are the correct ones for your Z3. The Strut determines the total length.

 

[noonagon]

Check the part numbers for the new struts to ensure they are the correct ones for your Z3. The Strut determines the total length.

Stock part is the 11 1500 115 640 and 11 1500 115 639, replacing with the bilstein 22-158826 and 22-158819. Both say stock shock replacement for left and right, and this car is a base model, no sport suspension.

I was able to unbolt the sway bar and get it all to work, but it definitely has some preload on it. It's like the bilsteins have a slightly longer stroke

 

[ViperKen]

I presume your working on one side at a time. If so when you come to fit your new strut, you will have to jack up the opposite side. This will align the bolt holes.

 

[noonagon]

I presume your working on one side at a time. If so when you come to fit your new strut, you will have to jack up the opposite side. This will align the bolt holes.

Now that makes sense, good assumption. We'll damn, I guess I should have gotten both sides up.

 

[noonagon]

I presume your working on one side at a time. If so when you come to fit your new strut, you will have to jack up the opposite side. This will align the bolt holes.

Thanks again Ken, I think that was the issue, all good now. The solution was to unbolt the sway bar, attach the strut mount to the car, then the upper strut bolt (one that goes fore and aft) and rotate until the dowel and other bolts were lined up. Once the strut was attached, jack up the control arm until the end link lined up, bolt that and tighten everything down.