Trying to Understand "Floating" Front Suspension

I replaced the front struts on my 2005 Aveo a few months ago. I didn't end up changing the strut mounts. They looked fine, plus I forgot to order them :eek:. I wasn't going back to the parts store.

Anyways, I have the 1/2 gap everyone talks about - ok fine. What concerns me is that when I jack the car up and have the front suspension hanging, I can grab the strut and move it around the upper mount location (side to side and up and down). Is this normal? Is this what is meant by "floating" front suspension?

yes, and yes. The simple way to explain it is the weight of the car holds the strut in place. Typically when the mount have been weight bearing for a little while they dont just fall out of position.

Thanks PR, good to know. I was just worried that when the suspension extended the car alignment would be out because nothing was holding the strut in place in the strut tower (i.e. when you hit enough of a bump that the wheel is off of the ground for a second). I suspect this would be momentary as the strut mount re-aligned in the strut tower as the car came down on the suspension again. I would make constant clunk though.

How much of a gap should there be? I'm thinking a 1/2 is too much and should be more of a hair, no?

The gap is about 1/4-3/8" when new.. 1/2 seems to be still acceptable for the most part. I would probably replace beyond that. However a tighter gap is best.

The floating suspension is a little more complex than a "piece of rubber in a hole" so to speak. The rubber seats into the tower, and does not just drop out instantly, call it suction, or being a pressed rubber bushing, or anything like that. The alignment of the suspension is held in place when the rubber is seated, it is centered in the hole.

Thanks PR - I'm guessing that the strut mounts are worn out because they will not stay seated.

have you had the weight on the car on them since reinstall yet?

Yes, but I'll try jacking again after driving for a few days