bilstein b4 issues

[Richie-Van-GTi 77 2 Cars]

Anyone had issues with these with regards thread length at the top? Or maybe the unthreaded section.

Found on mine I have had to fit additional washers between the nylock and the top cup to fully secure the strut from lateral play under load.

Strut is built up with all the correct OE washers etc and new febi doughnut.

 

[bacardincoke 45 1 Cars]

In the process of doing this too, but quite a bit away from the stage you're at to comment on my own experiences.

 

There's aways the possibility something has been changed over the years and the follow isn't how Peugeot intended but below is the sequence of parts, as they came off the car.

 

It also had what appear to be either it's original Peugeot shocks or perhaps genuine replacements.

 

The B4's have the same (all approx) 25.5mm section at the top as the Peugoet items do however the Bilstein un-threaded portion is 8.8mm and the original 6.2mm - ie. the new ones have less thread.

 

Having said that when you stack on the relevent original parts to the B4's, in combination they extend above the bottom of the threaded part so shouldn't run out of fastening space.

 

The only possible variable i can see is the rubber underside to the top cupped part, but even it's become compressed or missing, that would only account for about 1mm max.

 

That large washer, the one that I've got going on first... it's 2.8mm thick, could see it making a difference if missing?

 

 

[welshpug 1,690]

definitely sounds like you've missed out the washer pictured above, there's a recess in the bump stop for the washer also.

[bacardincoke 45 1 Cars]

Didn't notice that 'til you mentioned it...

 

 

[Tom Fenton 1,602]

On 9/13/2025 at 12:15 PM, Richie-Van-GTi said:

Anyone had issues with these with regards thread length at the top? Or maybe the unthreaded section.

Found on mine I have had to fit additional washers between the nylock and the top cup to fully secure the strut from lateral play under load.

Strut is built up with all the correct OE washers etc and new febi doughnut.

 

Yes I have had to add a 14mm washer on B4 a couple of times now as otherwise the nut bottoms out. 
With all the other parts present and correct as this is not my first rodeo.

[Richie-Van-GTi 77 2 Cars]

On 9/14/2025 at 11:34 AM, welshpug said:

definitely sounds like you've missed out the washer pictured above, there's a recess in the bump stop for the washer also.

That washer is there on my strut. Looking at them photos everything is there.

[Richie-Van-GTi 77 2 Cars]

9 hours ago, Tom Fenton said:

Yes I have had to add a 14mm washer on B4 a couple of times now as otherwise the nut bottoms out. 
With all the other parts present and correct as this is not my first rodeo.

Same, so sounds like I am not the only one to have this. Extra washer looks like it solves it.