good idea bad idea?

im not very good with names of parts as you may have already realised before, so remind me what are strut inserts?

ok strut inserts is the steel shaft that moves up and down in the center of the strut

the shock absorber? these are usually a good idea

is it a strut insert when its a shock absorber which is basically built into the strut, i pulled mine apart and put engine oil in mine (stanza strut) stiffens em up real nice

I use KYB 361005 strut cartridges for a VW Jetta 79- 84. They fit in the stock strut BUT you have to shorten the strut about 4"/100mm. I cut mine down and made a collar thats threaded on the inside to fit on the end. Koni and Tokico adjustables for the same Jetta are too big in diameter. I bought a pair of Koni adjustables and they're sitting on my workbench. I hear they fit the 210/b310 struts. So we'll see

The original 1200 strut is a rebuildable oil filled tube with shock valving and seals.

Struts inserts are an alternative - you can buy a sealed shock absorber-like cartridge that goes into the strut housing.

A McPherson strut is a combination shock absorber intregrated with spring unit -- it's a structural piece, holding the car up and locating the suspension. This is as opposed to shock absorbers, which if removed won't affect ride height or cause the axles to fall off. Not to say you should remove the rear shocks, but they only control bounding.