bonesetter

iTrader: (9)

I'm looking for a set of struts to be rebuilt and revalved. Anyone know where I can get this work carried out - preferably Midlands based for ease of transporting

Cheers

bonesetter

iTrader: (9)

Does anyone have an idea of costings involved with such a job?

sustech

First question is what make are the dampers you want working on?
If they are Ohlins then no probs and I am based in Rugby.
Any other make I would have to look at them first.

bonesetter

iTrader: (9)

They are 'original' P1's so I am presuming the aftermarket Prodrive ones

Arnie_1

P1 used the V5/6 STi KYB inverted damper. Should be red in color. Prodrive did offer an optional Bilstein suspension but that wasn't called P1, it was their WR setup.

bonesetter

iTrader: (9)

I see - so are the original red P1 struts gas filled, the same as the 'OE' STi ones sold by KYB now?

Were the WR struts silver coloured like these:

TinyTim

iTrader: (3)

Bilstein do a rebuild service and are based in Leicester if I remember correctly. Google it.

bonesetter

iTrader: (9)

Thanks TT

Bilstein they can and rebuilding will cost £80 +VAT per strut which includes new seals, bushings oil/gas and also dyno'd to check how they are working and if they are equal etc

bonesetter

iTrader: (9)

Scrub that - something just wasn't sitting right so double checked with Bilstein...

They can only rebuild Bilstein struts. The red coloured STi ones they said are non rebuildable

sustech

Is it possible to post a picture? I have serviced KYB dampers before, but I think it depends upon the model.

bonesetter

iTrader: (9)

Thanks for coming in. I was told by Bilstein (and a couple of others) this morning the red inverted cannot be rebuild/serviced, so I bit the bullet and bought new

Arnie_1

Technically, that's not true. There's a company in the US called FEAL Suspension that rebuilds and revalves STi struts (the inverted ones).

http://odib.web.officelive.com/Subar...leService.aspx

Obviously, too much to send to the US, but its something UK suspension shops should consider offering as a service.

bonesetter

iTrader: (9)

I went around the houses yesterday Arnie - Powerstation and a couple of others, then finally Bilstein. All said the same - they can't be rebuilt.

I had read about FEAL doing them, but was a unclear if a these were the same strut I was thinking of, and b if FEAL put an insert into the strut leg - like a Koni

Arnie_1

He actually rebuilds the STi inverted struts. And revalves if you want. Does not use an insert. He does offer that too using a HotBits insert for the GD/GG WRX strut. I guess them Americans are willing to experiment a bit more than their UK counterparts.

Or were you not clear about which strut exactly. Perhaps they were thinking of the standard OEM twin-tube black KYB strut? From looking at some of those pics you posted, it doesn't look like the dampers you had were the red STi inverted struts. They looked like the black twin tube struts. If that's what you had, then, no, can't rebuild those. Subaru didn't go to a black inverted strut till much later, 2004 I believe on JDM WRX's and then 2005 for STi's.

One thing I've experimented with is using inserts from newer STi struts into older STi housings. Cheap way of refreshing the damper. The red or black inverted struts basically use an insert cartridge that is the actual damper element. You can buy newer STi struts people fairly cheaply. so you just pull the insert and then install it into your old housing. I've only did it between bug-eye and hawkweye STi struts though.

When you get those black one's pulled don't throw them away. I say keep them and cut and gut them for Koni inserts in the future. Or sell them to someone who wants to do that. A shame if they ended up in the trash heap.