New b6 shock issues

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Scott540
Posts: 19
Joined: Sun Mar 17, 2024 3:04 pm

New b6 shock issues

Post by Scott540 »

HI, got a set of bilstein B6 for the front of my 1981 528.
I have a problem with the nut that goes to the strut housing.
The nut that came with the shock doesn't fit the strut housing. The threads are to wide. The old nuts don't fit the new shocks.

Does anyone know if the b6 shocks are different between 530 or 528? The shovcks I got said for e12. I'm really new to working on this car and really frustrated. Andbody got ideas to make this work??

New nut is silver . Fit shock. Not housing
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Scott
81 528i
14 AMG CLS63 wife's
79 911 SC
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528i-1981
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Location: Franklin, TN

Re: New b6 shock issues

Post by 528i-1981 »

It looks like they packed the wrong threaded ring with your shocks. The correct size is M48 for E12s.

Likely you ordered your set online and the seller doesn't have a stash of spare rings. If a full exchange isn't practical, call Bilstein and ask them for the correct rings. There should be a code stamped on the ring that will help them sort this out.

I believe this is the one you need, but am not 100% sure. If you want to gamble $25 to hedge your potential delay waiting on Bilstein, that's what I would do. I'm impatient and will pay for the appearance of progress.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/176532819130

It has the same code as the ring shown on the Walloth-Nesch shock for E12s.
https://www.wallothnesch.com/en/shock-a ... 28-01.html

Good luck,
Eric
(oo=00=oo) Eric
1981 528i Manual
Scott540
Posts: 19
Joined: Sun Mar 17, 2024 3:04 pm

Re: New b6 shock issues

Post by Scott540 »

Thanks Eric. Hopefully I'll figure this out soon. The code on the ones I got is B36-816 E2
Scott
81 528i
14 AMG CLS63 wife's
79 911 SC
PatinaBeforePolish
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Re: New b6 shock issues

Post by PatinaBeforePolish »

You said the new collar is silver but your picture shows both both collars. Does the yellow zinc plated collar not fit? I know that Koni struts used a different collar but the diameter of the threaded area is the same.
79 528i
76 530i - Stored since 1992, can it be brought back to life?
86 944- 2023 project
78 F150- Everyone needs a truck
Scott540
Posts: 19
Joined: Sun Mar 17, 2024 3:04 pm

Re: New b6 shock issues

Post by Scott540 »

Yeah the collar that came with the b6 is silver and is too big for the strut housing by a little bit. Won't thread in the housing. I ordered the ones on ebay noted above and wiill get them next week. Also waiting on responses from bilstein and the place I bought from
Scott
81 528i
14 AMG CLS63 wife's
79 911 SC
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Mike W.
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Re: New b6 shock issues

Post by Mike W. »

I want to think the oddball nuts fit E3/Bavarias, I know they had some odd sizes there. E12s I think all used the same size and the link also suggests so. It's possible the shocks are for a Bavaria, although how much if any difference besides the nut there is I don't know, the suspension was very, very similar on the two chassis. Might check the P/N on them though, just to see.
Mike W.



02 525ita. Wife's, aka grocery getter
02 530i. New to the fleet, 3 pedals.
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Scott540
Posts: 19
Joined: Sun Mar 17, 2024 3:04 pm

Re: New b6 shock issues

Post by Scott540 »

Does anyone know for sure if the nut fron an e28 will fit an e12 housing? I also found some stuff about bmw part 3132113025 but all I'm finding is no longer available
Scott
81 528i
14 AMG CLS63 wife's
79 911 SC
Scott540
Posts: 19
Joined: Sun Mar 17, 2024 3:04 pm

Re: New b6 shock issues

Post by Scott540 »

Figured it out . All installed. Found out from bilstein I had the wrong struts. The ones I had were for 530. The ones for 528 are different including the nut. So even though I was told they fit E12, they did not fit 528.

Love the new shocks and springs
Scott
81 528i
14 AMG CLS63 wife's
79 911 SC
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