New Struts - Corners great / Sounds like a**

[grandprix104]

Ok well i just got done installing my monroe sensa-track struts on the front end and now the problems have gotten worse. Although the ride quality has greatly improved the car is now reciting impresions of a rock tumbler as i drive down the road. Every bump i hit is accompanied by clunks galore Im tired and to pissed to think straight so i wondered if anybody had any ideas.

 

This was the procedure

 

 

1. remove strut cover cap

2. remove shaft retainer bolt

3. remove bushing

4. remove jounce cushion

5. loosen strut with extra-nifty special tool

6. suck out most of the oil

7. drop in new strut

8. tighten down new retainer bracket

9. replace jounce cushion

10. replace bushing

11. replace retainer bolt

12. replace strut cover cap

 

 

I would like as many ideas as possible before i remove them again. The hex key on the top of the shaft is stripped on both struts from having a shitty instla kit with lousy tools and this makes removing and replacing them difficult.

[loominaz34]

what is this extra-nifty special tool? And is it absolutely necessary?

[Intlcutlass]

Maybe it's not your struts. It sounds like you did em right.

 

One thing to note here... When you buy your struts, have the place where you buy them put together the strut/mounts. This way they are tight, and not stripped. Autozone/Pep Boys/Murahys should all do that for you if you ask.

 

I would check your motor mounts, Tranny mounts. Make sure everything is tight.

[Regal_GS_1989]

Intlcutlass is right. It most likely will not be the struts. If your old ones were worn enough, they could have been soft enough that it wouldn't trigger the noise.

[phantomshado]

front end alignment.

[Intlcutlass]

front end alignment.

 

I am asking cause I don't know... No flam'n

 

If his front end is "clunking", what does getting your front end alligned have to do with an audible "clunk"?

What parts in the suspension cause that kinda noise when not properly alligned?

 

Like I said no flam'n, I honestly don't know how an allignment would help.

[Brian P]

The top mount nut I usually put vise grips on the strut shaft and zap the nut with the impact gun until I've got at least 100 lb/ft on it. Also did you torque the big collar-nut? Did you install the washer between the collar nut and strut?

[grandprix104]

well it turns out that the strut shaft nut does not tighten all the way against the strut bushing on the sensa-tracs causing some play between them over bumps. a couple washers fixed the problem.

 

It drives great now!

 

Thanks for all the responses!

 

Tomarrow i will begin installing the rears. Any tips and tricks?

[grandprix104]

what is this extra-nifty special tool? And is it absolutely necessary?

 

As far as i can tell it is absolutely necessary. You can get one at any auto zone or CSK Auto. CSK's is not the highest quality.

[GOT2B GM]

I realize this is an old thread but....

Did you install the washer between the collar nut and strut?

 

Does this washer slip over the strut shaft before the collar nut is installed???

 

Also, I am told that I should have oil surrounding my new sensatracs. What oil should I use??? I already disposed of my old strut oil (didn't realize I needed it)

 

Thanks

[Brian P]

I realize this is an old thread but....

Did you install the washer between the collar nut and strut?

 

Does this washer slip over the strut shaft before the collar nut is installed???

 

 

Yes, that's the one.

[GOT2B GM]

I realize this is an old thread but....

Did you install the washer between the collar nut and strut?

 

Does this washer slip over the strut shaft before the collar nut is installed???

 

 

Yes, that's the one.

 

Ok thanks. Does anyone know if I need oil in the strut housing if im installing new sensatracs?

[Brian P]

you don't need it. It's recommended to keep it there for heat dissipation but not necessary.

[GOT2B GM]

Ok thanks for answering all my questions.