Front suspension spacers

[Rek]

From a review of the forum I can see that these aluminium spacers are redundant and raise the car, but when removing them, do the studs protrude such that they interfere with the hood?

Also, I presume that they are either cut down or open rather than capped bolts are used.

Any advice on the best solution welcomed.

I have new bilsteins and lowered springs from Jaymic which are similar to the US version from La Jolla (I hope).

 

[Stevehose]

Just cut the bolts after removing the spacers and put the cap nuts back on. That's what I did.

 

[HB Chris]

Or you can buy shorter bolts from BMW

 

[Cornishman]

Jaymic springs are good

I fitted Jaymic springs. They are great.
C

 

[Peter Coomaraswamy]

Steve, what method did you use to "cut down" the bolts? I want to use the original cap nuts.

Thanks

 

[HB Chris]

Use a cut-off wheel.

 

[Ohmess]

If you are planning to cut them with a cut off wheel, thread an old nut on first and them remove it to straighten up the threads.

 

[mulberryworks]

He's got a point there.

Leaving the end of the bolt square, even after running off a nut, will make it hard to get another nut threaded on. Properly configured ends should have a bit of taper to allow ease of starting the nut. Here's a screen shot of a CAD drawn screw showing the ideal profile.

I'll take a flat file and take down the corners a bit before running off the nut, or nuts you have put on the shaft before shortening.

Ian

 

[Stevehose]

Yep plus Ohmess' tip about the nut is a good one.

Use a cut-off wheel.

 

[bavbob]

I placed the appropriate die on the bolt all the way to the strut housing then used an angle grinder (I love that thing) to cut the bolt. I then backed off the die which re-cut the threads.

 

[Rek]

Thanks for your advice.