Front Struts question

coltarms · Post by **coltarms** » Tue Mar 13, 2007 2:04 pm

Looks like all you need to do is replace the cartridge. Mine looked exactly like yours does. That's what I did. I believe I used Monroe Sensatrac's Did you say that your strut tower broke?

keith · Post by **keith** » Tue Mar 13, 2007 5:16 pm

Not the tower, the upper mounting block. Its mostly a solid block of rubber with a metal caps top and bottom, the bottom one has a bearing in it. The rubber block split between the two caps.

coltarms · Post by **coltarms** » Tue Mar 13, 2007 6:37 pm

Try to post a pic, I have no idea what you're talking aobut.... I don't remember seeing it when I did mine....

Typrus · Post by **Typrus** » Tue Mar 13, 2007 6:57 pm

Yes. You take off the gland nut up top, drain the nasty oil, remove the original assembly, wipe it down if you like, then the new sealed cartridge should just slide right in. Make sure to bolt it firmly down, and make sure you properly tighten the upper mount/bearing. Its difficult to do with the strut rod un-captured (it just rotates) but there is a small place to grip with a wrench if you can get to it. Its a pain in the butt, but can be done. If you keep something too loose, you will get annoying/intimidating clunks.

keith · Post by **keith** » Tue Mar 13, 2007 7:57 pm

OK coltarms, this is for you.

The view from the bottom

The view from the top, those three studs are the ones you see at the top of the strut tower when you open the hood.

The view you don't want to see.

BTW, I ordered a pair of KYB GR-2 inserts tonight with 2nd day delivery so I can install them this weekend. I'll do pics.

jammin1911 · Post by **jammin1911** » Tue Mar 13, 2007 8:25 pm

I'd love to see this pics, I was going to replace my shocks but if its cheaper to just rebuild them I might as well go with that route.

what are the cartridges worth? a nice pictoral of the install would be incredible

is there other things that I should buy and replace also? any seals, etc?

I want to do all 4 springs and struts this summer.. it really ticks me off at how complicated it is to get nice fitting springs for the rear of this thing...

Typrus · Post by **Typrus** » Wed Mar 14, 2007 12:12 am

Australia man. Pedders brings them up here, stock height or what is likely 20mm raised. Your choice. I dunno yet what I'll go for.

Had I not posted pics of when that happened to me, WHILE DRIVING?

Mac · Post by **Mac** » Wed Mar 14, 2007 2:41 am

if your going to rebuild, ensure you replace the seals and use proper suspension fluid, it can be found at motorcylcle shops, or on the redline oil website.

jammin1911 · Post by **jammin1911** » Wed Mar 14, 2007 8:16 am

is replacing the seals relatively straight forward?

coltarms · Post by **coltarms** » Wed Mar 14, 2007 10:27 am

Well, i think this would be a good time to get a new assy from a JY. I don't remember seeing those pieces come apart. My swap was straight forward: compress springs, remove assy from vehicle, loosen strut retaining nut, remove spring retainer and spring, remove threaded cartridge retainer, remove cartridge, add antisieze (or grease) to outside of new cartridge, install new cartridge (but don't "crack it open" yet), install cartridge retainer, install spring and retainer, crack open cartridge, install strut retaining nut, tighten all, reinstall into vehicle.

This a bummer, man, it's a bummer.

Typrus · Post by **Typrus** » Wed Mar 14, 2007 12:08 pm

Whats a bummer. Just go buy the new Strut Tower Bearing from NAPA.
Item#: NCP2613088

keith · Post by **keith** » Wed Mar 14, 2007 5:31 pm

What do you mean by "crack it open".

coltarms · Post by **coltarms** » Thu Mar 15, 2007 9:28 am

The struts I got were gas charged, but fully compressed. In in order to extend them I had to turn the piston 1/4 turn. If you do that before mocking up the assembly it's a biznitch to get it to go together. LEarned the same lesson in high school with an Accord......

Post by **ARCHINSTL** » Thu Mar 15, 2007 12:35 pm

coltarms -
When you write "struts," you actually are referring to the "cartridges" that are inserted into the struts, right?
Tom M.

Typrus · Post by **Typrus** » Thu Mar 15, 2007 1:24 pm

Strut housing holds the strut cartridge, combined with the coilover spring= one Strut Assembly, AKA "Strut"
Most people refer to the cartridge as the strut when out of the assembly. The Strut Rod inside of the Strut Cartridge that is inserted into the Strut Housing is fully compressed for shipping and the rod requires 1/4 turn inside of the cartridge in order to deploy it.

He means the cartridge, I'm sure.