Joined
·
2,474 Posts
Updated 11/2/11: after slogging away on this dream for 4 1/2 months in partnership with a BBer several continents removed this project has now come to successful conclusion:
http://www.alfabb.com/bb/forums/1068327-post43.html
4/29/2015: special CNC machined seal carriers are available again, please pm me if you want to place an order.
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Two recommended videos on the CDS system
Lancia Thema 8.32 (the original CDS)
Alfa 164 QV
* * * * * * * *
I recently took apart a 164S Sachs-Boge electronic strut (the solenoid was good but it was leaking at the top) and discovered that the "guts" are really quite straight forward (I will add pictures later). Seems that if the seals could be replaced and the strut refilled with the right oil and the right quantity, that the strut could be 100% restorable. There is no visible wear whatsoever on the shaft even though the strut has about 105K miles on it. Does anyone know of a source for oem metric strut seals? A search on the net turned up a discussion among BMW Z owners asking about rebuilding their adjustable struts and apparently a kit was available at one time, so my question about the "rebuildability" of the 164-S strut doesn't seem so far-fetched. Here's the pertinent quote from the BMW group (unfortunately that thread was never resolved) :
"the adjustable suspension struts on the z turbos can be rebuilt due to the fact that i read about the rebuild kits in a repair manual. The struts aren't gas but oil filled which allows for the dampening adjustment. The only thing that causes a shock absorber or strut to wear out is the fact that the internal rubber seals are what go bad over time. I was just wondering if the kits could still be found, but thanks for your input."
Thanks!
http://www.alfabb.com/bb/forums/1068327-post43.html
4/29/2015: special CNC machined seal carriers are available again, please pm me if you want to place an order.
* * * * * * * *
Two recommended videos on the CDS system
Lancia Thema 8.32 (the original CDS)
Alfa 164 QV
* * * * * * * *
I recently took apart a 164S Sachs-Boge electronic strut (the solenoid was good but it was leaking at the top) and discovered that the "guts" are really quite straight forward (I will add pictures later). Seems that if the seals could be replaced and the strut refilled with the right oil and the right quantity, that the strut could be 100% restorable. There is no visible wear whatsoever on the shaft even though the strut has about 105K miles on it. Does anyone know of a source for oem metric strut seals? A search on the net turned up a discussion among BMW Z owners asking about rebuilding their adjustable struts and apparently a kit was available at one time, so my question about the "rebuildability" of the 164-S strut doesn't seem so far-fetched. Here's the pertinent quote from the BMW group (unfortunately that thread was never resolved) :
"the adjustable suspension struts on the z turbos can be rebuilt due to the fact that i read about the rebuild kits in a repair manual. The struts aren't gas but oil filled which allows for the dampening adjustment. The only thing that causes a shock absorber or strut to wear out is the fact that the internal rubber seals are what go bad over time. I was just wondering if the kits could still be found, but thanks for your input."
Thanks!