odd allen key size needed for short bilstein hd struts?

[digital.aaron]

So I bought a pair of short HDs from RSI a couple of weeks ago. I installed them, but at the time didn't have a hex/Allen key socket, so I just ended up using some leather-padded channel locks and got them mostly tight. After I got some metric hex sockets, I went back to tighten everything down. The 8mm was too big, but the 7mm has just a but too much play and doesn't fit either. I thought maybe I had a standard-sized HD, so I went back to look for standard hex keys, but I would need something like 9/32? I couldn't find anything that sized. So I called Ben at RSI, and he checked one they had at the shop and said the 8mm was a perfect fit. Looks like I'll be taking a trip to the shop for them to check it out. But does anyone know what might be up? Shoddy tools? Rare HDs? Strut gnomes?

 

[blkaplan]

Its metric

find what ever fits the tightest and use that. you might also try a trx bit if you can't find a good allen match.

 

[Redwood Chair]

Old ones are 7mm, and the new style are 8mm.

 

[Jerd]

Sharpen your wrenches man.

 

[Harlard]

7mm. I has.

 

[Ansel+]

you can try the ones I have for my impact if you want

 

[jerryc]

All the Bils I've had til recently and/or seen at the JY were/are 7mm, but the car I just got with recent BilHD just have a round hole, no allen at all.

 

[blkaplan]

All the Bils I've had til recently and/or seen at the JY were/are 7mm, but the car I just got with recent BilHD just have a round hole, no allen at all.

lol, it used to be hex shaped. now its morphed to round.

 

[audeo03]

lol, it used to be hex shaped. now its morphed to round.

Those are the same style SHCS used in the Polish submarine right?

 

[CAPT_BLOTTO]

lol, it used to be hex shaped. now its morphed to round.

Need one of those 7mm round sockets?

 

[John V outside agitator]

Old ones are 7mm, and the new style are 8mm.

Old ones are slotted for screw-driver.

 

[blkaplan]

Old ones are slotted for screw-driver.

How old is that? The 80s?

 

[digital.aaron]

Sharpen your wrenches man.

I bought brand new hex sockets to try to deal with this problem. Maybe the tools I bought are ****ty, but I didn't think I'd have to perform tool maintenance before I used them.

I'm going out to RSI in a little bit. We'll see what's up.

 

[digital.aaron]

I didn't think I'd have to perform tool maintenance before I used them.

But maybe I could grind my 8 down enough to fit?

 

[John V outside agitator]

How old is that? The 80s?

Plenty thru the late 90s
That's with 40 and 41mm inverted, with 10 or 11mm rod diam or 50mm inverted with both 12 and 14mm rod diameter.

 

[jerryc]

lol, it used to be hex shaped. now its morphed to round.

Those are the same style SHCS used in the Polish submarine right?

Need one of those 7mm round sockets?

No, these are a pretty recent install, were in the car when I got it, show no signs of any wear or contact of any kind, are perfectly round and clearly made that way. I'll take a pic.

 

[digital.aaron]

Ben @ RSI fixed me up. Apparently the short HDs use a 7mm key. I guess the sockets I bought are just utter ****e quality.

Anyway, tightening the top nut wasn't actually the culprit of the rattling I was hearing. I have the v1 Kaplhenke camber plates, and the strut tops were too skinny in the bearing in the camber plates. He hooked me up with a couple of sleeves to fill the gaps on both struts. He also threw on a couple of washers on each side to give the top nuts a little help holding everything down.

So glad to have a non-rattling suspension. Big thanks to Ben and RSI.

 

[brendon_ak]

Reviving this thread, I have the exact same problem with my struts and strut bearings. What did you mention to RSI, or were they aware of the missing spacer?

I'm currently unable to get a hold of them, I'm sure their phone is ringing off the hook, per usual.