51mm strut?

[ldzpstnr]

Ok so I need to replace the shocks/struts on my car. I am not sure wich ones I have. So were am I suppose to measure? 51mm or the smaller one? I just have the standard '87 325 base model.


I have never replaced a strut before. This should be interesting. I have a few different detailed instructions and it doesnt sound to hard, jsut time consuming. Just gotta make sure I have all the proper tools.

 

[fporro]

51mm are for cabrios., your car came with 45mm ones.

if you really need to change the struts then i don't think it would hurt to go bigger, will be a little stiffer and that's a good thing.

 

[Ben]

yeah 45s are what you want. all i can say is BE CAREFUL!!!! whatever you do, dont stand in front of the strut when your compressing the spring, trust me man, theyre powerful.

 

[ldzpstnr]

SO if I went to the 51mm strut do i gotta change the springs too? I find struts and shocks online for the 51mm a lot more then I find the 45mm ones.

What is the difference? the hieght or the width of the strut?