Top Mounts - Help

[BenG]

I noticed my top mounts are not sitting right today. They were fine when I removed the Solid Top mounts a while back and since then I have had a camber adjustment, maybe this has caused it ? They are fully tightened !

Note: They do not even touch the Turrent !!! :shock:





Any ideas...? :?

Thanks.

 

[g40steve]

Nowt wrong with that??

Just settling down.

 

[BenG]

They never used to be like that. they used to be on a funny angle but they always made contact with the turrent.
How can this be normal, they dont even hold the strut in place.

 

[hoolio]

Ben, I can't believe you didn't, but did you put them back together correctly?

 

[Gman]

To me that does look like you've put them back together wrong, from memory thats the only thin that can be causing this.

 

[BenG]

:lol: I am very good at taking things apart but not so good at putting them back together... :roll:

Spring
Top hat
Bearing (flat side first)
Rubber top mount (bottom half)
Spacer thing...
Nut
Then the damper is fitted and the top part of the rubber top mount is fitted.

 

[g40steve]

As the rubber top mount with bearing compresses so the gap gets bigger.

You have already said you have added more camber hence the angle

It's a crap design.

 

[BenG]

Yeah but when the bottom half of the top mount compresses (i.e. when you let the car off the jack,) the top half should be tightened up, there isnt enough thread on the strut for this to happen. They used to be fine. Maybe I need new ones ??

 

[Gib#244]

Ah don't worry about it....my old 172 cup on coilovers used to sit like that, if you turn your steering (full lock) they will usually touch somewhere. If there is no knocking don't worry!

 

[BenG]

Still handles like a dream ! 8)

They used to sit fine, hence why I am a bit curious why there like that now. I probably just need new ones ?

Gib - when do you want to go for our next run out in the Lakes? My Trophy is in the garage undergoing a 2 day cleaning process ready for summer !

 

[hoolio]

Ok the only thing I can think of now is that the ring nut is no longer fully done up as the car is now compressing the spring and top mount is grounding on that or that your doughnut is knackered. The extra camber won't help also were wheels pointing forward?

 

[BenG]

Normally I would just remove them and have a look, however, I have camber bolts fitted and removing them would result in the geometry having to be setup again.

I seems as if the bottom half of the top mount is compressing too much resulting in the strut being pushed up an extra few mm which is why the top half will not tighten all the way to the turrent.

 

[BenG]

Yes the wheels are pointing forward. the other side is the same but a mirrored image.

 

[hoolio]

Well its unlikely that both nuts would have worked loose to stop the top topmount screwing down so the doughnut part has probably sagged.

 

[BenG]

Great ! :roll:

Looks like ill have to get them replaced as well as have the geometry setup again. I may as well fit MF springs while im at it then, makes sense. Im tempted to fit MF STM's too ?

36K service is due very soon too. It may be a very expensive summer.