Rear shock - OE gasket question, paper or rubber?

[Maxhouse97]

Replacing my rear shocks and underneath the car (exposed to the elements) I see a very thin gasket that looks like rubber at the top of the stock where it bolts up. When I look up the part on real OEM I only see one gasket, and on FCP it looks much thicker and paper like. I’ve also heard that BMW used to use paper gaskets but now recommends against them. Anyone know the answer here? I would think rubber would be better to protect against the elements but doesn’t seem available.

Part number I pulled 33526772864

[cobra]

stock is paper but I don't think it really matters realistically.

The "paper" is kind of a fiber held together with a rubberized binder

[Maxhouse97]

Got it thanks. Would you use it or no? Barry at 3DM was the one that told me about a TSP that BMW released on not using the paper gasket, something about it compressing over time and leading to the joint becoming loose.

[old///MFanatic]

They’re paper. Believe since my E30 days these have been paper.
I have had no issues over 30 yrs using them on the rsm.

[Lagunaseca_Blau]

The product used is Elring’s Abil N gasket and on one website I found a description (because I can’t find one on elrings site) that it’s a cellulose-based sealing paper with a NBR binder. I’m no expert but that’s what I’ve found. It’s used for temperatures up to 250 degrees and is good for external use as well as in combustion engines. Typical water/oil sealing and what not. Correct me if I’m wrong anywhere lol.

[cobra]

Got it thanks. Would you use it or no? Barry at 3DM was the one that told me about a TSP that BMW released on not using the paper gasket, something about it compressing over time and leading to the joint becoming loose.

Yeah I'd use them, but $16/ea is excessive. Try to get some gasket paper and make your own.

[bmwfnatic]

Yeah I'd use them, but $16/ea is excessive. Try to get some gasket paper and make your own.

You can get them OE from Elring for less than 1$ each. Not going to mess with making my own for that…

[Slideways]

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