Strut Top Pictures What Ya Think?

[PembsPanther]

Hello :)

 

Something else on my ever growing list of Galaxy repairs is knocking suspension, had it up on the jack and all seems well around the wheels, nothing obviously moving with the old pry bar, actually seems in pretty good condition but every time I go over a pot hole it sounds as though a wheel is about to fall off! Not drop links as I did these last August for MOT and still as solid as they were when I put them on, I did notice a little up and down movement in the whole leg though so had a look under the bonnet, now I am far from an expert on these matters but me think some rubber is perished:

 

 

and

 

 

These do not look quite right do they? Presuming the rubber tops are the issue? Something else? Will they continue for a couple of weeks whilst I get spring compressors etc together? What do you think my chances are of undoing those nuts? If I cannot undo them will I have to cut them off? If I do is that also new shocks?

 

Thanks in advance :)

 

Edited June 6, 2016 by PembsPanther

[BrianH]

Its not unusual to find they have turned into water collectors like yours. Theres a rubber mount that can give problems, I've not had to change it personally but there are posts on here about it. I think from others comments on them that you can change that mount without disassembling the top of the strut - otherwise I'd suspect that unless you can get the shock to unscrew (not likely) that it will be a case of cutting it off. Also if you did manage to undo it then theres no guarantee it will go back together and hold afterwards (I'd certainly not like to trust it afterwards). There is normally some movement of the strut FYI

 

Yours look the same as mine - rusty as hell on the top. You mention the drop links, it can be worth a check of the bushes for the anti roll bar as well if you haven't already done so.

 

Have you had the front brakes apart? Are all 4 bolts on them properly tightened up? (I did have what i thought was a failing drop link which actually turned out to be a loose brake caliper - made obvious when the bolt fell out and the wheel jammed on the caliper!)

[sparky Paul]

Bear in mind it's the rubber below the suspension turret that does all the work, you can just see them poking out through the hole. They can gradually collapse, and can be replaced without actually removing the strut, you still have to undo the top mounts though.

 

Yours do look a bit tired, the suspension tops are protruding a bit - but I would be very surprised if that's the source of the knocking... unless something is loose, which is rare as they are usually rusted solid. Source of suspension knocking is more likely to be roll bar related, links or bushes as BrianH says above, or bottom ball joint.

 

There's a few threads on here about removing the struts, when they're that rusty it's not a job for the faint hearted.The top mounts can be cut off if they are rotten, but if they are salvageable I might be tempted to resort to the old mole grip trick on the top of the shocker shaft and plenty of penetrating oil. Heat is the best tool, but it will melt the rubbers.

 

Watch out for the pinch bolt on the hub carrier, they have a nasty habit of snapping where they corrode in the gap. Again, plenty of heat is the best tool, and a new bolt on reassembly.

[PembsPanther]

Thanks for the replies I really appreciate it http://www.fgoc.co.uk/forum/Smileys/default/smiley.gif

Think I have found the source of the clanging, just added another thread about this with a video looks like wishbone bushes (?), did have a go at the top nut on the passenger side tonight, uhhhhhhh not good, planning on keeping this beast around for a while will soon be a second car so will treat it to new shock and springs and do it all at the same time in a few weeks, then keep it all greased up just in case I ever need to take them off again!

Found the good looking set on Ebay from Germany:

Galaxy Suspension

Will do some more research first though but they look very good quality.

Thanks

Chris

[Az2102]

What was it?

[sparky Paul]

Wishbone bushes, I think. Usually the back one which falls to bits.