Cannot get Koni Yellow's to sit properly

Donnis · 07-26-2015, 06:39 PM

Attempting to install Koni Yellows on 2009 E92 xdrive....

Installed rears fine.

Attempted to do fronts and upon installation and lowering the car, the shocks do not sit right into the brake or whatever it is called that hold the shocks.

More specifically, to the 2 "buttons" or little knobs or divets that are right above were the shocks taper to be thicket are not sitting into the clamp properly.

Are we not opening it correctly? How do we get it to sit properly so that the 2 "buttons" are sitting into fully to allow the car to sit normally in the clamp?

Thank you.

Donnis · 07-26-2015, 06:50 PM

I think I can just use a screwdriver to wedge it open to make it bigger and allow the strut to sit in the clamp properly?

stashtrey · 07-26-2015, 06:56 PM

Deleted post as it was incorrect.

stashtrey · 07-26-2015, 06:59 PM

Damn..I am retarded today. You can use a Torx socket. The multiple sizes work well to find the right size for the gap. Thats what i used.

Guarantee the torx socket will work as they are narrow at the end allowing you to easily get it started into the gap/space and wedge it in there.

stashtrey · 07-26-2015, 07:03 PM

Use a small hammer and tap in a torx socket piece into the gap and it will open it up enough to slide the shock in.

feuer · 07-26-2015, 08:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stashtrey

Use a small hammer and tap in a torx socket piece into the gap and it will open it up enough to slide the shock in.

Is called strut clevis and you need a special tool call spreader

http://www.bavauto.com/fland.asp?par...FZGJaQodcEYO0Q

benton0311 · 07-26-2015, 09:21 PM

I just used a ball joint separator/spreader, available at any auto parts store, to spread the clevis open. It looks like a pry bar with a tuning fork shape on the end. Not optimal but it works fine and you can get it anywhere. I found that even big screw drivers weren't but enough and a normal pry bar was too big.

jin · 07-27-2015, 12:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by feuer

Is called strut clevis and you need a special tool call spreader

http://www.bavauto.com/fland.asp?par...FZGJaQodcEYO0Q

I watched a bav auto vid on installing new shocks and he used a chisel lol

stashtrey · 07-27-2015, 02:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by feuer

Is called strut clevis and you need a special tool call spreader

http://www.bavauto.com/fland.asp?par...FZGJaQodcEYO0Q

You do NOT need a special tool as i have done it several times with a torx socket just fine. I dont think op wants to order a tool when you can easily make it work with something already in the tool box.

Thanks for clarifying what the part is...never knew what to call it and for a second i thought you were calling me "clevis" lmao.

stashtrey · 07-27-2015, 02:34 AM

Pickle fork would work as well. Anything that you can wedge in and tap with a hammer widening the gap.

feuer · 07-27-2015, 06:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stashtrey

You do NOT need a special tool as i have done it several times with a torx socket just fine. I dont think op wants to order a tool when you can easily make it work with something already in the tool box.

Thanks for clarifying what the part is...never knew what to call it and for a second i thought you were calling me "clevis" lmao.

I have done more than several in the shop. If you buy the special socket (on ebay is < $15) you will see how much easier it is. Is totally worth it even for one time use.

benton0311 · 07-27-2015, 10:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by feuer

I have done more than several in the shop. If you buy the special socket (on ebay is < $15) you will see how much easier it is. Is totally worth it even for one time use.

I think the tool is definitely worth it if you know to order it ahead of time. Unfortunately for me and probably the OP, I already had the suspension apart before realizing the whole clevis design and needed something the same day or at least same weekend. It's good to know there are viable, easy to obtain alternatives if you don't have the tool on hand.

mike-y · 07-27-2015, 10:14 AM

you can also use a 3/8" to 1/4" socket adapter. works perfectly and is cheaper than the official tool. I've done 3 different cars with one of these, and it works like a charm. stick it in the slot, and then turn it 45 degrees with your socket wrench to spread the clamp.

Though if you plan on doing this a lot, you'll need to make sure you get a quality piece (or just get the official tool).

egt · 07-28-2015, 08:56 PM

First make sure you have the correct struts. I ordered Koni Sports for my xi and was incorrectly sent struts for the i. The struts for the i are slightly narrower where they seat into the collar on the steering knuckle, so did not fit. But even the correct struts were a pain to get to slide into the collar. Had to basically jack the steering knuckle around the strut.

07-26-2015, 06:39 PM	#1
Donnis New Member 0 Rep 17 Posts Drives: E92 Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: NJ iTrader: (0)	Cannot get Koni Yellow's to sit properly Attempting to install Koni Yellows on 2009 E92 xdrive.... Installed rears fine. Attempted to do fronts and upon installation and lowering the car, the shocks do not sit right into the brake or whatever it is called that hold the shocks. More specifically, to the 2 "buttons" or little knobs or divets that are right above were the shocks taper to be thicket are not sitting into the clamp properly. Are we not opening it correctly? How do we get it to sit properly so that the 2 "buttons" are sitting into fully to allow the car to sit normally in the clamp? Thank you. Last edited by Donnis; 07-26-2015 at 06:48 PM..
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07-26-2015, 06:50 PM	#2
Donnis New Member 0 Rep 17 Posts Drives: E92 Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: NJ iTrader: (0)	I think I can just use a screwdriver to wedge it open to make it bigger and allow the strut to sit in the clamp properly?
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07-26-2015, 06:56 PM	#3
stashtrey Lieutenant Colonel 294 Rep 1,834 Posts Drives: 08 E90 335xi TiAg Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: Sacramento, CA iTrader: (8) Garage List 2008 E90 335xi Sedan [0.00]	Deleted post as it was incorrect.
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07-26-2015, 06:59 PM	#4
stashtrey Lieutenant Colonel 294 Rep 1,834 Posts Drives: 08 E90 335xi TiAg Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: Sacramento, CA iTrader: (8) Garage List 2008 E90 335xi Sedan [0.00]	Damn..I am retarded today. You can use a Torx socket. The multiple sizes work well to find the right size for the gap. Thats what i used. Guarantee the torx socket will work as they are narrow at the end allowing you to easily get it started into the gap/space and wedge it in there.
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07-26-2015, 07:03 PM	#5
stashtrey Lieutenant Colonel 294 Rep 1,834 Posts Drives: 08 E90 335xi TiAg Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: Sacramento, CA iTrader: (8) Garage List 2008 E90 335xi Sedan [0.00]	Use a small hammer and tap in a torx socket piece into the gap and it will open it up enough to slide the shock in.
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07-26-2015, 09:21 PM	#7
benton0311 Lance Corporal 19 Rep 128 Posts Drives: 08 335i, Graphite Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Maryland iTrader: (1)	I just used a ball joint separator/spreader, available at any auto parts store, to spread the clevis open. It looks like a pry bar with a tuning fork shape on the end. Not optimal but it works fine and you can get it anywhere. I found that even big screw drivers weren't but enough and a normal pry bar was too big.
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07-27-2015, 02:34 AM	#10
stashtrey Lieutenant Colonel 294 Rep 1,834 Posts Drives: 08 E90 335xi TiAg Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: Sacramento, CA iTrader: (8) Garage List 2008 E90 335xi Sedan [0.00]	Pickle fork would work as well. Anything that you can wedge in and tap with a hammer widening the gap.
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07-27-2015, 10:14 AM	#13
mike-y just another bmw douche bag 195 Rep 3,640 Posts Drives: 1.9L of fury Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Los Angeles, CA iTrader: (4)	you can also use a 3/8" to 1/4" socket adapter. works perfectly and is cheaper than the official tool. I've done 3 different cars with one of these, and it works like a charm. stick it in the slot, and then turn it 45 degrees with your socket wrench to spread the clamp. Though if you plan on doing this a lot, you'll need to make sure you get a quality piece (or just get the official tool).
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07-28-2015, 08:56 PM	#14
egt Private 9 Rep 50 Posts Drives: 2008 335xi Join Date: Feb 2015 Location: Massachusetts iTrader: (0) Garage List 2012 Mustang GT [0.00] 2008 335xi Sedan [0.00]	First make sure you have the correct struts. I ordered Koni Sports for my xi and was incorrectly sent struts for the i. The struts for the i are slightly narrower where they seat into the collar on the steering knuckle, so did not fit. But even the correct struts were a pain to get to slide into the collar. Had to basically jack the steering knuckle around the strut.
	Appreciate 0 Quote