Strut tops

Everything that keeps your car in contact with the road, and from contacting other road users.
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mikeyb
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Strut tops

#1 Post by mikeyb » Fri Apr 25, 2008 9:41 pm

I am about to take the struts out and sort the thrust washers and fit new gaiters while they are out.

In the manual it says to remove the gunk from around the top of the top bearing mount, and says to replace it with strips of more gunk?

What the hell do you use and where do i get it?

Mike

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dallliiisss
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Re: Strut tops

#2 Post by dallliiisss » Fri Apr 25, 2008 9:48 pm

Hello Mike.
I did my struts recently, and I used copperslip. But I don't suppose it matters too much as long as it's some sort of grease.
Lee Smart
1971 2.5 PI saloon

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Alan Chatterton
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Re: Strut tops

#3 Post by Alan Chatterton » Fri Apr 25, 2008 9:57 pm

I think you mean the gunk that should seal the strut top to the body?

Dum-Dum is what is recommended.

To be honest, I just leave what is in place alone...............

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dallliiisss
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Re: Strut tops

#4 Post by dallliiisss » Fri Apr 25, 2008 10:21 pm

Alan Chatterton wrote:I think you mean the gunk that should seal the strut top to the body?

Dum-Dum is what is recommended.

To be honest, I just leave what is in place alone...............
Ahh, the pennies dropped :oops: I still had the old stuff on there, and i left it in place.

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mikeyb
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Re: Strut tops

#5 Post by mikeyb » Fri Apr 25, 2008 11:10 pm

dallliiisss wrote:
Alan Chatterton wrote:I think you mean the gunk that should seal the strut top to the body?

Dum-Dum is what is recommended.

To be honest, I just leave what is in place alone...............
Ahh, the pennies dropped :oops: I still had the old stuff on there, and i left it in place.
Thats what i shall do then, beings i have no dum-dum, got some mastik! :lol: I think leaving whats there will suffice.

Thanks guys!

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Re: Strut tops

#6 Post by Harold W » Sun Apr 27, 2008 3:19 am

Hi Mike

I have had the struts out of my MK 1 several times over the years. It was assembled here in NZ and I have only reassembled them with the likes of Bostik window sealent. Have never had any trouble, custioned and sealed. Harold

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Re: Strut tops

#7 Post by mikeyb » Sun Apr 27, 2008 7:06 pm

I did the drivers side thrust washer and also did the wheel bearing while the car was in the air over Saturday.

Think I need some better spring compressors as I didn't have full compression, on the bench when I let the castle nut off everything seemed fine, but turns out the big washer that sits under the bottom thrust washer was holding it...........

KAPIIING is the best way to describe the noise it made, the top plate hit the far wall AND CAME BACK, it took me 20 mins to find the rubber insulator because it had wedged itself between 2 cupboards behind me, and I still haven't found the washer, I think a quick look to see if it left a hole in the wall :shock: might be in order.

Anyway other than that SUCCESS, no jerkyness just smooth turning.

One more side to do , oh joy....... :roll:

Then off to see mr MoT

Mike

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dallliiisss
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Re: Strut tops

#8 Post by dallliiisss » Sun Apr 27, 2008 10:35 pm

Hi Mike.
Yep, I found that the spring compressors needed a huge amount of winding to get little progress, and I just about had enough clearance to get the whole assembly back on again. You had a lucky escape by the sounds of It :lol: Good luck with mot.
Lee Smart
1971 2.5 PI saloon

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mikeyb
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Re: Strut tops

#9 Post by mikeyb » Thu May 01, 2008 9:37 am

Your not kidding, the sykes pickavant compressors i used also slipped when i was trying to compress them back up, crappy things frightened the life out of me.

Anyway bought some better draper ones, so will see how I get on with those doing the passenger side this Saturday.

Whats best, compress on the car (if you can!) or take the strut out and do it on the bench?
As obviously doing it on the car is tricky with the limited amount of space.

Mike

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Re: Strut tops

#10 Post by Mike Stevens » Thu May 01, 2008 11:58 am

mikeyb wrote: Whats best, compress on the car (if you can!) or take the strut out and do it on the bench?
As obviously doing it on the car is tricky with the limited amount of space.
Hi Mike,

I do them on the bench. You only have to undo 4 bolts at the bottom and 3 nylocs at the top and the unit is out. I then clamp them upright in the vice to take off the spring, keeping head well down!

I don't know who made my compressors. They are made of cast alloy end blocks with steel (counter) threads on the shaft. I think a 10mm socket fits the end of the thread.

Good luck.

Cheers,
Mike.
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1971 2.5PI Saloon Sapphire blue
1973 2.5PI Saloon rust some Honeysuckle
1973 Stag French blue
(1949 LandRover was blue should be light green!)

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