Replacing Front Suspension Strut

[Route66]

I've been reading the manual about removing the front strut and am concerned about the special BMW socket and adaptor for removing the "fastener securing leading link to slider tube fork bridge". Can this be done with a standard socket held with large pump pliers and large allen wrench inserted through the socket? I've tried checking the Hall of Wisdom but my search produced no results. If there is information somewhere else on this site regarding this procedure, I certainly won't be insulted if someone tells me where to go- on the KLT site that is!
Any advise or tricks about replacing the front and rear struts would be greatly appreciated. I have a beautiful set of Ohlins ready to install. It's a shame they are hidden under all the tupperware. Thanks.
Terry
2000 Basalt KLT (and Unigo too)

[dshealey]

I've been reading the manual about removing the front strut and am concerned about the special BMW socket and adaptor for removing the "fastener securing leading link to slider tube fork bridge". Can this be done with a standard socket held with large pump pliers and large allen wrench inserted through the socket? I've tried checking the Hall of Wisdom but my search produced no results. If there is information somewhere else on this site regarding this procedure, I certainly won't be insulted if someone tells me where to go- on the KLT site that is!
Any advise or tricks about replacing the front and rear struts would be greatly appreciated. I have a beautiful set of Ohlins ready to install. It's a shame they are hidden under all the tupperware. Thanks.
Terry
2000 Basalt KLT (and Unigo too)

I used a metric box end wrench (22 MM if I remember correctly) and 7MM allen wrench, no problem.

The trick to getting the shock out is to get the shock lowered down as far as it will go when everything is undone, reach up under the frame and push the rubber donut off the top of the shock, then you can push the shock up far enough to get the bottom of it to come out the front over the lip on the Telelever. Reverse the procedure to put the rubber donut back in, then push the shock up and put the nut on top.

The rear one is easy in comparison.

[Route66]

Thanks alot David, that's just the imput I needed to start taking off the tupperware with CONFIDENCE!
Terry

[beemerlt]

I've tried checking the Hall of Wisdom but my search produced no results. If there is information somewhere else on this site regarding this procedure, I certainly won't be insulted if someone tells me where to go- on the KLT site that is!
Here (http://www.bmwlt.com/forums/faq.php?faq=how_customization#faq_how_faq_cussusp) you go (p.1). If you're swapping both, I'd recommend Stick's method: remove the rear shock before removing and installing the new front one. Finally install the new rear shock. This gives more clearance to get the front shock into position.

[dshealey]

Here (http://www.bmwlt.com/forums/faq.php?faq=how_customization#faq_how_faq_cussusp) you go (p.1). If you're swapping both, I'd recommend Stick's method: remove the rear shock before removing and installing the new front one. Finally install the new rear shock. This gives more clearance to get the front shock into position.

That only helps if one is not removing the Ball stud from the Telelever, as BMW suggests. Some have done it that way. If you do take the stud out though, the Telelever travel is limited anyway, so you still have to push out the donut to get the shock high enough to go over the lip.

I ground out the front of the lip on the Telelever the first time I had my shock out, made it really easy to get it out when I had them rebuilt.

[Route66]

Thanks David for directing me to the appropriate area of the KLT site. I'm still learning my way around the new site and I appreciate the help. Seems like I'm going to know a whole lot more about a Ball Stud by the time I'm finished with this project! Again, thanks for the help.
Terry