Confusion on front strut inserts

[Gazmitchell]

So removed front suspension to refurb and my struts measure 50mm across the cap thread and the bose inserts that came out are 49mm so a snug fit... I've ordered a set of bilsteins that arrived and they measure 40mm across so way too slim , the company say that they are correct for the 50mm !!?? Can't be right surely, they are B4 apparently so gotta send em back I need bigger dia so are they the B6 ?

[Kiku]

Bilsteins have special cap nut for that. Dismanteled my old struts on cq and the same was there. Thin strut+bilstein cap nut+bilstein dustcover in blue and top ruber.

[Rikki Kitto]

I've got Bilstien B6's in mine and think they 55mm sure whatever they are they should be a tight fit

[Kiku]

Rikko your strut is 55mm aby one but michell has 50mm type of strut. Anyways my bilsteins wete also 40mm or smth thats older type and they are ment for 80/90 etc audis.

[Gazmitchell]

The insert that came out is boge 895 413 503C and measures 49mm dia . My car is an ABY ? Surely a 40mm shockers can't just flop about in a 50mm tube !!!?? This is where the confusion is as the other B6 Bistein is for a 55mm strut !? So if this is the only other one then that won't fit in my strut or will it ?

[bertman]

Had this dilemma on my avant.The strut tube was bigger than the insert by a bit.It didn't look right compared to the original shock.But was told that it was the correct one for my car.Onced tightened down there is no way that insert is gonna move anyway.
Haven't had any probs with them since fitted.coupled with oem springs they are a great improvement.

[Skull]

it is normal, the gap is usually filled with coolant for better cooling of the inserts

[Rusty]

The top nut securely holds the insert. Make sure you clean the threads with a 60deg file and test fit the nut to ensure it fully winds down. Don't put coolant in the body as the shocks use the air inside it. 40 mm seems quite small but I know for my 55 mm versions, they were smaller than the hope by a few mm.

[Gazmitchell]

Never heard of coolant in the strut before !!?? Oil yes stops freezing water corrosion etc.. And 40mm shock inside a 50mm strut doesn't seem right to me.. I've sent em back now so will see what the wider ones are like ..

[MARKMIDGE]

Have just bought a pair for a Cabriolet which has 50mm strut and they are a snug fit, would say 48 or 49mm, they should be same as ABY ones and state for 50mm strut on advert, here is link to advert with Bilstein part number and info,

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/3314900469...%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

[Skull]

Did they come with the top nut? Is yes and it did fit, they were the correct ones. There is no smaller dia strut for this cars...

This is a bilstein b6 in the 50mm strut

[Gazmitchell]

Ok . I could live with that I guess .. The B4s were thinner than that.. ..

[Gazmitchell]

Cheers .. Says not compatible for S2 not sure why for the life of me as they're loads cheaper than the ones I bought.. ..

[Skull]

it is strange that an aby has 50mm struts to start with...

[Gazmitchell]

Yep. I had bought some time ago two front boge 8AO413503F , they're the same thickness as your B6 so thought they were wrong, £48 for two brand new. Looked at them again last night and they have the same recoil and pressure as the orig ones that came out !? They're listed as for audi s2 to 96 so why not these ?