I've installed the top hat (or the spring upper seat) with the "out" mark facing towards the back of the car. This is wrong and bad...I know.

Do I have to completely remove the strut? Or can I just loosen the 3 bolts that hold it up and turn the hat until the notch properly aligns. If I have to take it out, I assume I don't have to compress the springs.

I'm an idiot mechanic who should have paid attention to his father when he worked on his cars.

 

it's just about clearance. if it really bothers you fix it, but you won't have any problems if it's not aligned perfectly. the fender mount is at an angle as is the hat, conceivably if you really messed up there could be contact but it's not likely.

 

If you loosen the 3 bolts the control arm will drop and give you clearance.

 

It's off by approx 90 degrees. That seems more than just not perfectly aligned. I hear a popping noise when I drive. Also, I thought I read elsewhere not aligning it would cause the mount to wear out more quickly.

Popping noises can't be good, right?

 

I would think 90 degrees would be significant enough to warrant a redo. As far as popping noises are you lowered?

 

I am not lowered. All I really want to know is if I have to take it all the way out and compress springs. It was a pain with hand tools. One replier said just loosening the three mount nuts would lower the strut, but this doesn't make it clear to me that I would then actually be able to turn the seat by hand.

I hope that makes sense.

 

Are you absolutely sure when you put it together that you also installed the thrust washer/bearing that goes under the spring upper seat? This will cause the popping noise if not there. It also may be caused by the orientation of the upper seat being wrong and being cocked. I did not realize the top mount would go in more than one way. I thought hole spacing was not the same on each bolt to bolt.

 

short answer: no.

you'll have to rent the spring compressor again and remove, rotate, replace.

 

Not correct. If it's not aligned, it WILL bind with the strut tower, it WILL be in contact.

 

Yes, but still there's too much friction with the spring to realign the upper perch by just loosening. You may not have to disassemble the assembly, but at the very least you'll have to compress the spring.

 

The mounting plate (with the 3 studs) only goes in one way. The OP is referring to the upper perch which can go on any way, but should only go on one way.

 

Ok, I think I've fixed all the terrible information in this thread now.

 

hmm...exactly which part is this....this could be my popping issue.

 

I replied to your other thread already.

 

yeah, the "out" marked, should be pointing out to the fender, not the back or the car or engine or the front of the car.