This doesn’t look right (after new struts)

Suspension, brake, and hydraulic/electric steering discussion.
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yargnits
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This doesn’t look right (after new struts)

Post by yargnits »

I didn’t have enough time to dig into this as I had to head out of town: the strut tops don’t seem right. They don’t spin, but they’re up pretty high and kinda crooked.

It’s going in for its alignment on Thursday, but I think I’ll try re-tourqing the top nuts before it goes in. Maybe the alignment will at least straighten it out. Is this normal?
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smwalker
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Re: This doesn’t look right (after new struts)

Post by smwalker »

Did you do new Strut Mounts?
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yargnits
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Re: This doesn’t look right (after new struts)

Post by yargnits »

Yes, new Whitelines.

I lifted each side of the car just off the stand by jacking up the lower control arm, then tightening them with an impact gun. I’m beginning to question if I torqued them after I put the car back in the ground.

I’ve driven it a few times and haven’t heard anything strange, but it’s been parked since I noticed this. I took the pic to compare with online images/videos. I’ve saw one like this that was supposedly okay, but it wasn’t as crooked. I’ve seen too many images of plates this high, but they were describing collapsed mounts.

I’m looking forward to getting home and seeing if the nuts are loose.
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Re: This doesn’t look right (after new struts)

Post by s/c'd cav »

the mount was located into the cup before being lowered down , i locate the mount before attaching them to the spindle
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Re: This doesn’t look right (after new struts)

Post by lastcall190 »

This is probably a dumb question but can you please explain what that means? Is this problem related to the order of attaching all the pieces?

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s/c'd cav
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Re: This doesn’t look right (after new struts)

Post by s/c'd cav »

lastcall190 wrote: Tue Apr 16, 2019 11:30 am This is probably a dumb question but can you please explain what that means? Is this problem related to the order of attaching all the pieces?

-J
its the angle at which the mount and cup in the body come together

i would think so yes , it would require undoing the strut to the spindle , then loosening up the nut on the top plate and wiggle it around , then tighten the top nut , then attach to the spindle
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Re: This doesn’t look right (after new struts)

Post by lastcall190 »

Understood, thanks for the explanation.

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Re: This doesn’t look right (after new struts)

Post by yargnits »

s/c'd cav wrote: Tue Apr 16, 2019 12:33 pm
i would think so yes , it would require undoing the strut to the spindle , then loosening up the nut on the top plate and wiggle it around , then tighten the top nut , then attach to the spindle
I don’t recall seeing an order of assembly in any instructions. For ease of assembly, I fastened the top nut first, but didn’t tighten it much. The angle of the strut, hence the threaded rod, will be whatever angle it’s going to be when the knuckle is bolted on.

Im surprised that both sides didn’t turn out right, I’m willing to give it a try. I image I can also remove the nut and disc while the car is on the ground and get a good look at how the bushing is seated.
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yargnits
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Re: This doesn’t look right (after new struts)

Post by yargnits »

Back home and I took some more pics and took the plate off. I know what’s causing the problem, but I don’t know why. First, the plates aren’t as crooked as I thought. Here’s a better photo.

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Here’s a photo where you can see the bushing is seated okay. (I have different angles that look the same so I’m not going to was space including them)

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These photos also show what the issue is. The washer lip sticks up too high. The top plate comes in contact with the washer before the strut tower. I tightened the top plate back on and confirmed there’s no contact between the top plate and the strut tower by easily sliding a slip of paper between them. It’s as if the new whitelines are already collapsed.

Any ideas?
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Re: This doesn’t look right (after new struts)

Post by s/c'd cav »

that top washer the OE part , or the whiteline part ?

did you reuse the right washer on top ?
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