Newbie Question re: replacing front struts

[beachcomber]

I'm new to posting/navigating forums and I have an issue with my front struts.

I removed them and reinstalled them just fine, but when I lowered the car, the strut mounts had a gap of approximately 3/16 of an inch.

Is this typical?

[petrified.rabbit]

if you reused the mounts, 3/16 isnt too bad, they should not clamp down. But if the gaps are either not uniform, different side to side, or over @1/2", the mounts should be replaced.

[beachcomber]

Thank you petrified.rabbit,

I put in new mounts on both sides but the gaps were uneven (right side larger than left). I asked for help from a more seasoned mechanic and he had me tighten down the strut tower nuts until the gaps were closed. I have driven it for a couple hundred miles now and the gaps are back and my right side has a nasty hollow thunk whenever I turn, stop, start or put torque on the front end.

I have checked for control arm bushing wear (none) and I replaced the sway bar linkages on both sides when I put in the new struts.

I wanted to remove the nuts and re-do the last part of the assembly but the "seasoned" mechanic said that wasn't necessary.

[petrified.rabbit]

I would check them, in my opinion, if they are overtightened, then the bearing within will potentially hang up. For a similar design trouble shot look at VR6, mk2, and mk3 vw strut mount problems (do a google search).


In a unrelated clucking noise could be the swaybar mounts, on the K frame. Spray some grease in there or even wd40 and see if it helps the noise go away, it will be a short term fix, but might point to the issue.

[beachcomber]

Thank you again, petrified.rabbit.

[Potenza]

I just replaced mine with KYB struts and shocks, I like to replace mounts when I do it but had none available. I had no space . Is this when it's unloaded?

[petrified.rabbit]

not when you put the car down, and install the top cap above the strut tower. once the strut settles, the space occurs.

[Potenza]

here is mine after I installed the struts
left & right

[Potenza]

I would suggest bad install or wrong parts, D Wallace ASE MASTER L1 Certs

[petrified.rabbit]

you have a slight gap, its from the black plate to the red strut tower. i can't measure it for you :P About 1/4-3/8" seems normal, more than 1/2" deems replacement.