Max_Gator

I know this isn't "advanced" but perhaps you guys can help.

Installed illuminas and eibachs on my 2k. I've done struts before - just not illuminas.

Two issues - maybe cause 1 problem.

First, I left out the bump stops because 1. the stock ones were crumbled and 2. the ones I had from napa didn't fit and I have to drive the car. (I know I'll have to redo the job)

Second, in tightening the piston nut - it never got to recommended torque but the piston and nut just spin together. I'm pretty sure the D hole in the strut mount got rounded.

After the install, bad rattling while driving over any bump. So, I opened the hood and compressed the front end. The rattle is being caused by the piston nut hitting the strut mount after compression. i.e. the body goes down faster than the piston and hits the nut on the way back up.

To me that means I need to tighten the nut.

Questions:

1. Is it going to damage my struts if I drive like this?

2. Any ideas how to tighten the nut and torque if the piston spins? I know it'll be a problem to take the nut off and put it back on too. I used a napa part - is the stock strut mount stronger?

3. How much, if any, of the problem is caused by the lack of bump stops?

Thanks in advance.

djfrestyl

iTrader: (89)

Stock vs. Napa shouldn't make a HUGE difference. But yes, you do need to tighten your piston nut. If you remove the strut assembly and look at the shaft you'll see a small piece on the shaft that you can get an open ended wrench on to hold the shaft from spinning.

The D hole essentially does the same thing when the 3 bolts from the strut mount are held in place by the mounting holes on the strut tower.

Lack of bumpstops will mean you may bottom out, and MIGHT lead to premature wear due to over-compression of the strut? Someone else can confirm this, I am not sure on that.

You DO have dustboots at least, correct?

Max_Gator

yes, I have the dust boots - and am going to add the bumpstops.

I'm going to pull the struts and tighten - but I am a bit annoyed that the mounts won't take 35 lbs of torque.

thanks!

djfrestyl

iTrader: (89)

Those mounts should definitely take that much torque. In fact I think the center nut torque spec is somewhere in the 80's.

Max_Gator

Exactly. The mounts gave way with what could not have been more than 25-30.

I did the struts on my 4th gen without a problem and the torque spec is higher on the stock strut than on the illumina.

Basically, my decision to use napa parts screwed me on this deal. Their boots and bump stops DON'T FIT.

djfrestyl

iTrader: (89)

Are you saying that you rounded off the D piston on the strut itself or the mount? If it's the mount, that makes sense because it's not OEM.

But I've installed a LOT of Illuminas and given them plenty of torque and never rounded a piston.

Max_Gator

The mount. It would be damn hard to round off the piston -

Damn napa parts

Fr33way™

iTrader: (23)

Nowhere near that. It's around 29-40ft/lbs in the FSM.


Also, driving with that play in the piston shaft can ruin the threads and have you looking for new fronts in no time.

djfrestyl

iTrader: (89)

I had a feeling I was way off. Thanks for the clarification

Fr33way™

iTrader: (23)

No biggie. Just wanted the right info our there. Those strut piston rods ARE breakable.

Max_Gator

The mounts were definitely the problem. Once I reinstalled with the stock mounts, everything went together fine. Fortunately, I did not do any damage to the strut pistons.