grandprix104 Posted December 28, 2004 Report Share Posted December 28, 2004 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. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
loominaz34 Posted December 28, 2004 Report Share Posted December 28, 2004 what is this extra-nifty special tool? And is it absolutely necessary? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Intlcutlass Posted December 28, 2004 Report Share Posted December 28, 2004 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. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Regal_GS_1989 Posted December 28, 2004 Report Share Posted December 28, 2004 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. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phantomshado Posted December 28, 2004 Report Share Posted December 28, 2004 front end alignment. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Intlcutlass Posted December 28, 2004 Report Share Posted December 28, 2004 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. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brian P Posted December 28, 2004 Report Share Posted December 28, 2004 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? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
grandprix104 Posted December 30, 2004 Author Report Share Posted December 30, 2004 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? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
grandprix104 Posted December 30, 2004 Author Report Share Posted December 30, 2004 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. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GOT2B GM Posted May 17, 2005 Report Share Posted May 17, 2005 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 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brian P Posted May 18, 2005 Report Share Posted May 18, 2005 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. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GOT2B GM Posted May 18, 2005 Report Share Posted May 18, 2005 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? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brian P Posted May 18, 2005 Report Share Posted May 18, 2005 you don't need it. It's recommended to keep it there for heat dissipation but not necessary. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GOT2B GM Posted May 18, 2005 Report Share Posted May 18, 2005 Ok thanks for answering all my questions. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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