Strut replacement problem
Posted: Mon Oct 21, 2002 4:06 pm
Hey guys, I replaced my struts with KYB AGX's this weekend, and they feel great but I have serious issues on the fronts. The backs are great, but I need help.
The problem is the ball bearing joint in the front strut top mounts. This is the bearing that allows the struts to steer along with the wheels. The bearing is binding up whenever I tighten the top nut (the nut that connects the damper rod to the top mount). I'm not talking about cranking it down, I'm saying if I finger tighten that nut, then it binds up the steering (the symptoms are that it's slightly harder to turn the wheel and I hearing creaking/binding noises while I steer). The only other option seems to be actually leaving the nuts loose enough that when I go over cracks/potholes the whole mount actually rattles loudly because the damper rod is loosened from the top mount. Are there supposed to be washers under that nut? The rear AGX's came with washers but not the fronts. (I am using the new nuts that came with the AGX's)
Here's how I assembled that strut and diagnosed:
1) Everything is disassembled, spring is compressed
2) Top strut mount still spins freely
3) Put old spring onto AGX along with old top mount, bumpers, dust boots, spring seats, etc
4) Used impact wrench (on lightest possible setting) to tighten top nut because any other method would be inaffective due to the damper rod rotating
5) Noticed that the top mount could no longer spin
6) Cursed
7) Impact wrench to unscrew: then it rotates freely again
Impact wrench to rescrew: then it's bound up
7) Loosened top nut with hand wrench (that's why I don't think I overtorqued it) until top mount can spin again
Uncompressed spring
9) Installed in car
10) Now that car weight is on it, top nut is now clearly unscrewed far from it's resting postiion
10) Upon driving, loud rattling going over potholes due to loose top nut
11) Tighten nut with fingers (while strut is installed in car) until it just barely starts to bottom on the top mount
12) Rattling stops completely, but steering is bound up (harder to turn wheel, creaking noises as wheel is turned)
What's wrong here?
Thanks for any help
Sam
90 Legacy L Wagon AWD
The problem is the ball bearing joint in the front strut top mounts. This is the bearing that allows the struts to steer along with the wheels. The bearing is binding up whenever I tighten the top nut (the nut that connects the damper rod to the top mount). I'm not talking about cranking it down, I'm saying if I finger tighten that nut, then it binds up the steering (the symptoms are that it's slightly harder to turn the wheel and I hearing creaking/binding noises while I steer). The only other option seems to be actually leaving the nuts loose enough that when I go over cracks/potholes the whole mount actually rattles loudly because the damper rod is loosened from the top mount. Are there supposed to be washers under that nut? The rear AGX's came with washers but not the fronts. (I am using the new nuts that came with the AGX's)
Here's how I assembled that strut and diagnosed:
1) Everything is disassembled, spring is compressed
2) Top strut mount still spins freely
3) Put old spring onto AGX along with old top mount, bumpers, dust boots, spring seats, etc
4) Used impact wrench (on lightest possible setting) to tighten top nut because any other method would be inaffective due to the damper rod rotating
5) Noticed that the top mount could no longer spin
6) Cursed
7) Impact wrench to unscrew: then it rotates freely again
Impact wrench to rescrew: then it's bound up
7) Loosened top nut with hand wrench (that's why I don't think I overtorqued it) until top mount can spin again
Uncompressed spring
9) Installed in car
10) Now that car weight is on it, top nut is now clearly unscrewed far from it's resting postiion
10) Upon driving, loud rattling going over potholes due to loose top nut
11) Tighten nut with fingers (while strut is installed in car) until it just barely starts to bottom on the top mount
12) Rattling stops completely, but steering is bound up (harder to turn wheel, creaking noises as wheel is turned)
What's wrong here?
Thanks for any help
Sam
90 Legacy L Wagon AWD