Big_Si

After hours of ploughing through the Internet I think this may be an option to rectify the clunking and knocking on my shocks.
A couple of questions off anyone who's done this mod if I may -
1) Does it actually work ?
2) How often in approx time/miles will it need regreasing ?
3) What grease to use ?
4) Where can you buy grease nipples from ?

Any info be greatly received, thank you in advance

jazzyjembreaze

iTrader: (11)

Yes
Every 6 month depending on mileage & symptoms re
Most suspension G is rubber based
Plumbers merchant , pipe & tool outlet like crossings etc etc

Fonzey

iTrader: (5)

I'm currently in the process of doing this now. I bought some second hand springs/shocks so I can do the work off the car, and then do the swap once I'm happy with my work... I'm not rushing it in a day that way!

From my research, many people have done this mod and they've NEVER had to regrease. The primary purpose of the nipple is not to allow regular topups, but to allow you to comprehensively fill the chamber with grease with no empty space at all. There's no other way to do this than by inserting a nipple and filling the chamber with the strut constructed.

The fact you can do top-ups is simply a bonus, and may need doing if your seals are a little worn - but I'd expect once or twice a year at worst.

I bought a box of 110 grease nipples off of eBay for £7... overkill but I've now got 108 spares if you want to buy them for £8

I'm using Castrol Moly grease, but I've read reports of all sorts being used - just find something thick and gunky.

I'm looking forward to the results, but I've had the odd drama along the way. The shocks I bought must have been severely over-torqued in the past when swapping springs as I stripped a bolt with my impact gun and had to get a grinder out for the bottom 14mm nut... I'm hoping the deconstruction of my "proper" struts goes to plan, otherwise I'll be stuck with no suspension.

Big_Si

Thanks for the replies, and the info.
Think I've planned my coming weekend then.
Ordered pack of 10 nipples for less than £3 so we'll see what happens and keep you posted.
Cheers

*BADGER*

iTrader: (3)

glad ive spotted this thread as i was going nuts wondering what the problem was as ive never owned a scoob before

also mines knocking on the front is it the same problem ??? or something different

Fonzey

iTrader: (5)

Front isn't usually the same issue. Front is more likely to be something which needs tightening up such as a drop link, top mount, etc.

*BADGER*

iTrader: (3)

cheers fonzey ill have a look see later

95turbowagon

iTrader: (17)

One of the jobs i'll be doing in the near future, got a set of sti shocks to refurb and add the grease nipples to.

Gambit

iTrader: (6)

what size of grease nipples did you use?

Fonzey

iTrader: (5)

I've ended up using M10. I had a choice of M6, M8 and M10 but even though the M10 is the widest (10mm) they came in a choice of 45degrees angle which meant the threaded part was shorter, hence wouldn't foul the damper inside the strut.

My 6/8mm nipples were all straight, and this means the valve component is inside the threaded part which makes the threaded part longer - and brings them dangerously close to the damper!

Ideally, I'd go for a 8mm 45 degrees nipple but the M10 doesn't seem like it'll cause me trouble.

Guardian-X-

iTrader: (1)

I'm in the same boat aswell and this is valueable info thx guy's.

Gambit

iTrader: (6)

Cheers Fonzey

would the likes of these M8 45degree need the threads trimmed down?

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/140863068452
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/270924159974

Fonzey

iTrader: (5)

Hmmm hard to say. I'll see if I can gauge when I get home how much clearance there is between the outer wall of the strut and the damper insert.

As a general rule though, the straight ones cannot be trimmed as the valve mechanism lives inside the thread - so you'll knacker the valve.

The 45 or 90 degrees ones have the valve mechanism before the thread actually starts - so your worse case scenario is 30seconds with a dremel/grinder to take a thread or two off.

BoozyDave

iTrader: (8)

is this just a problem on the sti?

i've got a clunk on the rear of my blob wrx, could this mod solve it?

Gambit

iTrader: (6)

Where able to get a look Fonzey. I guess i can always trim the threads a bit anyhow

BoozyDave

iTrader: (8)

i don't think you can shorten grease nipples, the valve is in the end

i was told the angled ones have a shorter thread and thus won't catch

The Trooper 1815

iTrader: (31)

http://www.iwsti.com/forums/gd-suspension-handling-stiffening/182766-sti-strut-clunk-fix-grease-fittings-installed-pictures.html

Paben

iTrader: (5)

Anything wrong with inserting a washer to pull the grease nipple out a bit so it doesn't foul the damper?

Fonzey

iTrader: (5)

Nope, I can't see why not. I'm still on the lookout for some better nipples as mine weep a bit whilst under a bit of pressure. Once I find some, I will replace mine and use washers if needed.

Gambit

iTrader: (6)

i didnt fit the grease nipples in the end, just stripped & cleaned shock & casing, then repacked with marine grade grease

Athame1

iTrader: (2)

Sorry if this is a dumb question does packing with grease then topping up to full with nipple change the dampers compression at all? as in slowing it?

Fonzey

iTrader: (5)

No, the damping is all self contained within the strut which you do not dismantle. It's just the tube which houses the strut which you're greasing.

07STIhawkeyeAffy

Will be carrying this out very soon

Athame1

iTrader: (2)

Thanks

Paben

iTrader: (5)

This is exactly what I've been looking for. Cure the clonk, fit lowering springs rather than coilovers, and hopefully maintain decent road manners. Just a question of which springs then.

Welloilbeefhooked

iTrader: (3)

Old thread but I'm just about to return my sti shockers and want to know if anyone else has grease nippled the fronts too. I know its mainly the rears but surely it cant hurt to do the fronts before I fit them to the car?

Gambit

iTrader: (6)

I had both front and rears grease packed at time. Not a rattle since. Rears still in but i swapped out fronts only because i bought some front prodrive bilsteins as they where going cheap

chrisvarns

Are there any shops that do this sort of work out there? Don't think I have access to the kit I know I'd end up needing if it didn't go perfectly to plan. Worst case I'll repack them but not mod with grease nipples.