How's it going org fam unfortunately im going through a multitude of problems right now on my VE but what should I expect from a 20yr old 215,000 mile 4dsc legend that happens to be my DD. Other then needing to replace my clutch now..and my tranny possibly on its way out(loud bearing whurring sound coming from right underneith shifter,but gone when pressing clutch)

I noticed when looking under my hood that the passenger side strut tower had the shock sticking out from the top side.. it seems to have pierced through the strut house, I could visibly see my shock sticking out from on top of the houseing... It seems that maybe the strut mount broke because I was a newb last year and changed my whole front suspension except for new mounts and bump stops =(. But I could be wrong I tried searching around for a similiar situation but had no help. I have these pics to show you guys and maybe we could go from there. The pics dont show the shock sticking out because I pressed it back in with my hand(yes it was that easy) idk why I did but in the pic you can pretty much see all you need to see.

Newb questions coming...What could have caused this to happen?what happens if I drive around like this? VEevolution and I are trying to figure out if maybe Ive been driving around like this for some time and havent noticed? I havent driven my car for a couple of days due to starting issues(but I believe if this problem existed before my car stopped running I would feel something seriously wrong with the handleing and balance of the vechicle no?)...I thought maybe this happened as the car was just sitting there...or possibly when I jacked the car up on the opposite side and maybe as the weight shifted over to the passenger side it put enough pressure on the passenger side shock/strut mount to break through?

Anyway guys thanks for the help again in advance..im really trying to get my VE back on the road so any advice on how to move on in the situation wld be great thanks

http://imageshack.us/g/19/photo2mme.jpg/

 

Looks like your strut mount is completely shot.

 

Yep, definitely your strut mount. They're not very expensive at all ~$17 each on Rock Auto, but it's kind of annoying that you basically have to do the strut/spring job over again just to replace it.

Definitely replace the other side too while you're at it!

I definitely wouldn't drive around like that. As you can imagine, driving on it will/can basically collapse that entire side and could seriously seriously screw up your steering/driveability/etc. Just imagining that happening on highway or something

I guess the strut would probably hit the underside of the hood just a little bit above the strut tower which would prevent it from entirely bottoming out, but still, not safe to drive around like that.

 

It will affect your steering (which is a crucial part of driving).

 

Thanks for the feedback guys.

Yeah I know tell me about it I wish I just waited a lil longer last summer and replced them aswell, for some reason I thought they were $40 each. Do I have to seperate the spring and shock or can I replace the mount without doing so? Def will do the other side.

Assuming that I dont have to seprate the shock and spring is there anyway to somehow sneak on a bumpstop on the shock? I'm sorting of missing one on one side and the other side is in really bad condition.

Heh yeah I knew there was a risk of something catastrophic happening to my car but I thought i'd ask for fun.Thanks for the heads up. So pretty much all that happened is my strut mount broke,I was scared maybe the shock got messed up or bent or something.

 

I havent replaced the rear strut mounts either...Is this as likely to happen in the rear? Obv because theres a lot less weight...prolly not?

 

The upper strut mount is what keeps the spring on the strut. So yes you will to expose the top of the spring (release tension). Be sure you use a spring compressor to be safe. to be on the safest side do a visual on the rears. I would replace all 4 as to avoid future issues.

 

ah alright thanks for clarifying that maximo guess ill be replacing the bumpstops aswell too. Hm yeah prolly will go ahead and prepare to replace all 4. Maximo off topic ? but do you happen to know which bearing makes that whurring noise i was referring to in my first post. I want to know if its the throwout bearing that commonly makes that noise because to my knowledge I can replace that at the sametime I replace my clutch. But if its the IPSB then i'd have to dismantle the tranny. The noise is similiar to a loose bearing noise sounds like its shaking its goes away when I press the clutch in. thanks

 

Throw out bearing. My was doing the same until I took my trans off for something (can't remember what). Once i fiddled with that damn thing and put the trans back on it has not made the noise since. For you I suggest replacing with a OEM throw bearing.

 

You might be able to get away with just doing the front strut mounts for now. On my Maxima the rears are in new perfect condition, seems like the front suspension takes a beating on the 3rdgen Max.

 

sweeeet thanks for the info this makes me feel a lot better. I'll def be taking it a lot easier on my tranny from now on. Just need a clutch kit and TO bearing.

Someone is selling a used exedy clutch in the classfieds here on the org do you think its wise to use that assuming its in fairly good condition? Wanted to experience a upgraded clutch but if it means doing my clutch again in less then a year or two i rather go just oem.

yeahh I was hopeing to do just that and wait a lil longer on doing the rears..have so much to do on the max this summer I have to even out the labor across the whole car. The front suspension def does seem like it takes a beating...I purchased the rears anyway came out to $88 dollars for all 4 strut mount+shipping.

 

Its kool. If it were the input shaft bearing it would continuously make a noise no matter what you did. I think you answered your question at the end. Why not go ACT? Thats what I've got. I'm debating later going with a stiffer pressure plate (Makes it that much less desirable for anyone else wanting to drive it). "Oh wait no one in my family can drive stick but me." LMFAO!

 

Ive never heard of ACT but ill check it out. Ive been beating on a duralast clutch I put in 3 yrs ago when I blew my tranny in the first week of owning it . Till now ive only heard of exedy.

Hahah I remember those days when no one in my family coulld drive stick but gradually over time I had to teach my bros . I really wana get my hands on a fidanza but they're so expensive =/. What are the benefits of a stiffer presssure plate?

 

Duralast you say? "Built to last. Kiss my a$$!" Man I'm on a ROLE today! lol

As for the pressure plate. The stiffer the more harsh the engagement. Thats why most usually upgrade the disc with the plate. Which I will also. (6 puck sprung later after this one dies)

 

haha yeah but surpringsly it held up well for 3 yrs for someone whos been really beating on it between the ages of 18-22. During those ages the only cool thing to do is drive fast and shift hard haha.

I just realized I followed up to this question but in the other thread we're parrallel chatting in lol feel free to respond in either location. What exactly is "harsh engagment" sounds like a bad thing to me

 

what did you think you were gonna dominate every single race circuit on the east side and not have something like this happen?