924Board.org

[mgatlag]

Just had a strut take a dump on me so it's replacement time apparently. Trying to find new upper strut mounts is proving to be a pita. Do I HAVE to replace the upper mounts when I do the struts? And how can I tell if the mounts are in need of replacing? I do have new a arm bushings I'm gonna do at the same time too. I read lots about the strut replacing in the how-to and it seems very straight forward.
_________________
Michael
'77 1/2 924 N/A- 5 speed Audi box
'04 Ford Taurus - gone!!
'92 Jeep Cherokee Laredo - gone!!

Porsche... better than tea with Miss McGill
(Slap Shot)

[the_mad_electrician]

this will help.

http://www.924board.org/viewtopic.php?t=28571
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81 924 N/A

2004 Ranger "Edge"

2005 Mazda 6

[mgatlag]

Yup that's the same write up I found too. Makes it pretty easy to follow. But what about the upper mount? How can you tell if it needs replaced too or is this just something that needs replacing when you put in new struts? This is my daily driver now so I don't want it to be down for very long. I'd rather not have to replace the mounts if not needed.
_________________
Michael
'77 1/2 924 N/A- 5 speed Audi box
'04 Ford Taurus - gone!!
'92 Jeep Cherokee Laredo - gone!!

Porsche... better than tea with Miss McGill
(Slap Shot)

[mgatlag]

After doing lots more reading I'm gonna go ahead and replace the mounts too. So the mounts now being used are from a 944 and are one piece? And I need to get a spacer too from what I'm reading. What year of 944 should I be looking for the new mount? Or does it matter?
_________________
Michael
'77 1/2 924 N/A- 5 speed Audi box
'04 Ford Taurus - gone!!
'92 Jeep Cherokee Laredo - gone!!

Porsche... better than tea with Miss McGill
(Slap Shot)

[MikeJinCO]

When I did mine I got the mounts from Autohausz I believe, about $48 to $50. On the original strut there is a bearing in the rubber with a spacer in it to size it down to the shaft size. You will have to put it in the top of the new mount or the top moulded in washer won't contact the shaft. Some folks say there is a spacer between the spring cap and the mount, but I couldn't find it on any parts diagrams(don't have a PET, and it is an upgrade anyway). I measured the thickness of the old mount versus the new mount and found them the same. I ended up putting a couple of fender washers between the spring cap and mount that were the same OD as the molded in lower washer. I'm still a little confused over that but got little assistance here when I asked questions.

PS : I have some old Harbor Freight spring compressors and they worked very well, an air wrench is really nice for taking the top nut off and particularly back on where you can't grab the shaft with some vise grips
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Mike


'67 MG Midget Dp
'71 Ocelot Dsr Kawasaki 1000(under rebuild)

[Slam]

I hope some of this helps. The pics and story are for my 84 944 but the 924s are the same.


Assuming you've got the car up on jackstands and the wheels removed, disconnect the sway bar and rotate it out like this. Even further is good if you can.


Jack up the control arm to take the weight off the spring. Notice Canadian-standard hockey puck in jack pocket. I hate hockey...


If this works for you, crack the retaining ring on the strut. I couldn't really get this clunky pipe wrench in there at the right angle, as you can see.


Hit the 22mm locknut with a rattle gun. Really, this is the only fun way. Many have posted how-to's about this, and I've tried most of them. Much suckage.


Yes, there's a way to tell when the strut inserts are dead...


I took the spring off, remounted the insert's top nut and then I could get medieval on the retaining collar.


Dead insert lifts out. Don't forget to add some oil to the strut before you drop in the new cartridge.


Remove these and pull the mount assembly out the bottom of the pocket.


Dead one's on the right. Big difference, hey?


Rescue the metal sleeve and flip it so it rides on its least worn surface.


The new strut insert will come with various spacers and rings. Don't forget to install the right ones.


Tighten the collar, reinstall the spring - make sure you put the spring back the same way it came out. Upside-down is undesirable. No, I didn't put in the 'spacer' or add thick washers under the top spring hat. They're not necessary.


Jack the control arm up until you get the insert poking its cute little head up out of the mount. Spin a new 22mm locking nut on and impact it down.

You know the rest.


If your girl is like mine, you'll get one of these when you're done.




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'84 944 - kid blew motor
'83 944 - resting comfortably. For 12 years
'87 944 - sideswiped by trucker
'80 924 - gone
'78 924 - gone
'77 924 - rusting comfortably