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YOUR RESEARCHSuspension Strut Tops - help.
Reported or suspected cause
most expensive
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Suspected cause
You can just replace all the hardware up top the Front Shock Absorber Mount, Upper Plate being probably the most expensive.
Leading evidence: 'most expensive' (no explicit attributable resolution; this is a reported action or suggestion). Across 1 matching discussions, the most frequently mentioned possible cause is 'most expensive' (1 discussions; 0 report identifying it and 1 suggest it). The most frequently discussed action is 'Replace stock springs' (1 discussions). For that action, 0 discussions report a resolution and 0 report an unsuccessful attempt. No action has an explicit, attributable resolution report under the current rules. These are forum reports and suggestions, not a confirmed diagnosis.
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Suspected cause
So, all I can offer is visit Pelican Parts' web site and under 996 suspension parts see if you can spot the new/replacement (possible even aftermarket) parts for the parts that you suspect will have to be replaced.
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Suggestion
I'm in process of changing my stock springs on a 2003 C4S.
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Suggestion
I'm in the process of replacing the topmounts on my C4S, which being 4WD has a different top mount part 3 in the diagram, but apart from that is fairly similar.
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Suggestion
I'm in the process of replacing the topmounts on my C4S, which being 4WD has a different top mount part 3 in the diagram, but apart from that is fairly similar.
0 original-poster resolution reports. Counts can overlap; they are not unique people or a success rate.
0 discussions have direct query context; 0 report a fix in that context. Other evidence may inherit the discussion’s subject.
Suspected cause
So, all I can offer is visit Pelican Parts' web site and under 996 suspension parts see if you can spot the new/replacement (possible even aftermarket) parts for the parts that you suspect will have to be replaced.
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20 eligible posts · 0 unverified posts · 1 discussions match the subject in their title or opening post.
Rennlist: 1 discussions
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Hi All,
I took my front shocks out today to upgrade to H&R springs. However my strut tops were rusted/corroded and seized onto the top of the shocks and I didn't want to damage the shocks by forcing them off.
Does anyone know what part of the strut top would have corroded? As I will need to order this part and a pair of new shocks (Bilstein B4).
Anyone any photos or help would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks
Keith
Can't find any parts drawings.
So, all I can offer is visit Pelican Parts' web site and under 996 suspension parts see if you can spot the new/replacement (possible even aftermarket) parts for the parts that you suspect will have to be replaced. You can just replace all the hardware up top the Front Shock Absorber Mount, Upper Plate being probably the most expensive. I mean if there is some corrosion there the chances are once you get the hardware all apart you'll find other parts heretofore hidden are in need of replacement.
Thanks. I'm going to order up new shocks, then dismantle mine to find out if any of the strut tops are reusable. The main part of the strut top looked in great condition, its just underneath where it meets the piston, whatever part is under there has corroded and wouldn't come apart.
Cheers
Keith
Hi Mark,
Correct, I couldn't pull the top mount off. When looking from the underside of the top mount, you could see where it had rusted.
Looking at the Image below it looks like it could be Part 7. I didn't want to damage the shock trying to bash it off.
I'm going to order new shocks, then try to get the top mounts off, then assess the damage and order whatever part is broken.
Keith
Hi Keith
I'm in the process of replacing the topmounts on my C4S, which being 4WD has a different top mount part 3 in the diagram, but apart from that is fairly similar. It appears from your post that you have been able to remove the top mount nut, item 1, but cannot then remove the top mount itself? If I am correct in iunderstanding where you have got to I would have thought the most likely reason was corrosion between the bore of the top mount and damper rod. Have you tried any release aerosol on it? The item 7 is what I would say is a kind of thrust washer and unless it is corroded to the damper rod
and
the top mount (which is a fairly small area) I would surprised if this is preventing the removal of the topmount itself.
Incidentally the problem I had was that the top mount nut had corroded on and I had to grind it off damaging the rod threads and also rounding off the 7mm hex socket in the damper rod; so now getting two new dampers before reassembling the whole thing.
Thanks fast ford, thats exactly what has happened, however my shocks were looking tired, rusted at the bottom etc so i've decided to replace them regardless. I'm saving now for Bilstein B6 to go along with the H&R springs, which I believe is very close to the Porsche X74 setup.
Keith
I was going to do it myself, but decided to send it to the shop. Got a call from the shop to give me a price on the work and he said $1,100 dollars including wheel alignment. Guess I'm back to doing it myself.
Actually, I have all of that stuff (spring compressor, air tools). I was just being lazy. Called the shop back and they thought I had a C4, not a C2; said they would charge $800 for strut install and alignment. I'm still doing it myself. They are doing the LNE bearing though ($1800).
How easy is it to just replace the upper strut mounts? When I turn the wheel at low speeds, going either forwards or backwards there is a slight clunk. I checked the wheel bearings and tie rod ends and, they are all fine. I ordered some new drop links which might help but, I'm thinking it's the upper strut mounts. BTW, this is a C2, 37K miles, never tracked.
I'm in process of changing my stock springs on a 2003 C4S. No spring compressor necessary, when I got to the end of the shock threads all the compression was gone. If a C2 is the same, I'd try to just remove the top end and replace the worn parts without removing the strut.
Why is realignment required? You mark the strut top on the body and put it back in the same spot, right? The pieces you replace are bearings or maybe the support top--and of course the shock itself...but not springs or mess with any of the wheel carrier settings. So what's happening that causes a change in alignment? Curious since I'm replacing struts now. Tom
Fiero,
I am about to do mine as well on an 03 C4S. If they dont need compression can they be done by just unfastening the top mounts from the body ?
That would be super easy if you can leave the bottom attached for support
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