Paper on top of strut
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Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 363
From: AL
Paper on top of strut
Is the red paper on top of the strut needed?
I'll just recycle it but I hear that it dissolves off the back struts rather than breaking up. Curious if I need it or what it's for!
Thanks for tolerating my millions of questions
I'll just recycle it but I hear that it dissolves off the back struts rather than breaking up. Curious if I need it or what it's for!
Thanks for tolerating my millions of questions
Buy some grey gasket lining at the local autostore and make hand made gaskets. CS_AR and I did that years back. Mine have fine since then. No rust has returned.
I've actually had some luck making my own gaskets for where the strut mounts to the body. I bought some gray gasket material from a local parts store then marked off the shape from the contact parts. To cut out the gasket, I used an exacto knife. It kept me from having to order the gaskets from the dealer. I've done that on all three of my 4th gens. Four years later it still works.
^
I also hand made strut mount gaskets. I used thick dark grey gasket lining. Our rear strut mount gaskets are known to wear away and cause rust damage to where they mount onto the trunk corners. The trunk rust was so notorious for a previous member he had to junk his car.
I also hand made strut mount gaskets. I used thick dark grey gasket lining. Our rear strut mount gaskets are known to wear away and cause rust damage to where they mount onto the trunk corners. The trunk rust was so notorious for a previous member he had to junk his car.
Senior Member
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 1,622
From: Long Island
What He Said ^^^^^^^^^.
I copied from those guys and saved a bunch from what Nissan charges.
But I've always wondered why they weren't made of rubber or silicone compounds to quiet the road noise even further.
I copied from those guys and saved a bunch from what Nissan charges.
But I've always wondered why they weren't made of rubber or silicone compounds to quiet the road noise even further.
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 371
I have quick struts waiting to be installed, and they don't seem to come with any paper gaskets. The car has quick struts on it now (installed by previous owner) and there is nothing like that, either.
There don't seem to be any issues from lack of this gasket, so my answer is going to be that it isn't necessary.
There don't seem to be any issues from lack of this gasket, so my answer is going to be that it isn't necessary.
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 3,037
From: Central AR
The roads are NOT salted here during snow and icy weather. However, I made and installed gaskets using the FelPro gray gasket material to protect the body.
You can see the gray material sticking out at the top of the strut where it meets the body.
It seems like a "cheap thrill" for under $8 for a roll at Advance.
You can see the gray material sticking out at the top of the strut where it meets the body.
It seems like a "cheap thrill" for under $8 for a roll at Advance.
Senior Member
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 1,622
From: Long Island
All I can say is if you don't put anything there, more road noise will transfer with metal on metal. All four strut assemblies carry a decent amount of the weight and take most of the brunt of rough roads. That will transfer without any buffer for sure.
I still don't understand why paper. A rubber or silicone compound would be so much more effective on all fronts!
So now you know either decision has a price.
I still don't understand why paper. A rubber or silicone compound would be so much more effective on all fronts!
So now you know either decision has a price.
bah, bah i say!!! i have/had no such paper/rubber or w/e and my struts are quiet. 8 years and counting on my maxspeed/gr2's with no issues. don't ask me about my front f'ing bumper, that's another story!! 
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