Monroe struts and top mounts binding

Lammy74

Lammy74

Member
 Bristol
My local garage has put my front shocks together for me as I don't have a decent spring compressor, but the top mounts are binding on the top spring plate and wont rotate. I then ordered and installed "front damper shock top mount spacer washer 31306763966" beneath the top mount but that hasn't helped. I am tearing my hair out (and my Z is currently sat on axle stands while the sun continues to shine!)
Has anyone installed Monroe front shocks and top mounts and can tell me what I am missing?
Thanks

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Also, were the garage aware that the bottom of the spring does not sit tightly against the stop at the bottom? It ends up an inch or so short, but they should have seen that when they took it apart.
Have you fitted new springs? If so what make?
 
BTW, that extra washer you ordered is not an E85 part according to Realoem.

As long as you have items 4 and 5 correctly installed and the top nut correctly torqued then there is little else to affect it.
What make are the top mounts? Do the bearings in them revolve freely without the strut fitted?
 
Thanks, I'm not 100% sure what the garage has done but im guessing they have done something wrong, but they have already had three attempts at it! I'm going to get them to disassemble it and take it to someone that I have a bit more faith in.
 
I'd go elsewhere as you suggested.
If you're in Bristol then my suggestion would be to check your innoculations are up to date, then nip across the bridge to see @colb in Newport.
I'm pretty confident he will get it sorted for you, without another big dent in your wallet.

PS. Glad to see Project Spa still being looked after.
 
I did replace the springs with new Suplex springs, M Sport. In the diagram above its number 1 pressing hard against number 7 that is stopping it from rotating, but looking at the diagram it could be that I simply ordered the wrong washer?
 
Did they fit new top mounts? They don't come with item 5 so you have to swap it over. Very easy for it to stay stuck to the old mount and get binned.
Or have you simply supplied a whole set of new bits without the need to rob anything from the old? If that is the case then Item 5 may well be missing.
 
Thanks, I think I will pop in to Newport, I have to go to Wales on Wednesday anyway. Project Spa is still going strong, I've refreshed the rear suspension, and now starting on the front (once I get these damn struts sorted!)
 
Yes new top mounts, they binned the old struts and mounts and claimed that items 5 & 6 were never on the old struts! They even tried to tell me initially that the struts were fine even though the top mounts were jammed solid, maybe time to find a different garage!
 
Lammy74 said:
Yes new top mounts, they binned the old struts and mounts and claimed that items 5 & 6 were never on the old struts! They even tried to tell me initially that the struts were fine even though the top mounts were jammed solid, maybe time to find a different garage!
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Ah well that sounds like your issue then.
You need to buy items 5 and 6, but worth seeing if @colb or @Umfaan have any first.
 
Thanks for taking the time to reply, really appreciate it, its good to talk these things through with someone who know what they are doing:thumbsup:
 
Lammy74 said:
Thanks for taking the time to reply, really appreciate it, its good to talk these things through with someone who know what they are doing:thumbsup:
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I've just been out to the garage and dug out an old bunch of suspension bits. If items 5 and 6 are missing then it looks as though the outer metal sleeve around the bearing in the top mount will bolt down tight onto the spring plate, so I suspect that is your problem.
 
Yes you need 5 and 6 installed the washer provides the clearance for the top mount bearing to rotate freely when installed. Springs need mounting correctly as enuff pointed out. Whoever that Garage was who cocked the install up shouldn't be in business if thats the standard of their work, never return to them for anything else even a skate board repair!!
If you get the missing dust shields and washers bring them over to me at the Zedshed and we can fix them correctly using the floor mounted spring compressor.
 
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on the subject- can we attach here the torque values for all nuts and bolts for this job and around this?

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1. Item 3 of the strut assy: M14 Self Locking Hex Nut - Torque?
2. Item 4 on the Strut to "King Pin" assy: M12 Hex Bolt with Washer - Torque?
3. Item 6 on the Strut to "King Pin" assy: M6 ISA screw for ABS pulse gen. - Torque?
 
Enuff_zed is bang on with his torque specs but it takes a brave man to hit 64nm on that top nut. The hex fitting in the shock never feels like it can cope. Maybe I should be torquing to spec once on the car??
 
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