help with suspension strut

steveandjanes75 · 28th September 2014, 10:38

I am replacing my front shocks and springs.
I also got new top bearings.
But when I removed the old strut assembly there is a rubber boot (well split) that is not supplied with either the new top bearing or strut.
I have attached a photo of both struts side by side in the event you can identify the rubber boot and tell me if it is necessary to be fitted.
I hope the photo attaches ok. The old strut is at the top, and this boot thing is still on the old strut just below the top thread.
Thanks Steve.

David Lawrence · 28th September 2014, 10:54

Quote:

Originally Posted by steveandjanes75

I am replacing my front shocks and springs.
I also got new top bearings.
But when I removed the old strut assembly there is a rubber boot (well split) that is not supplied with either the new top bearing or strut.
I have attached a photo of both struts side by side in the event you can identify the rubber boot and tell me if it is necessary to be fitted.
I hope the photo attaches ok. The old strut is at the top, and this boot thing is still on the old strut just below the top thread.
Thanks Steve.

I could be wrong but there is normally a bellows type boot around the top of the strut rod. Looks like yours is missing. That should normally be swapped over. You can still get one from places like best of british or rimmers

steveandjanes75 · 28th September 2014, 11:06

You are quite correct, there is a bellows boot, I just have not shown that in the photo. The bellows boot was loose and jumping around on the top of the strut, so unless it was damaged I cannot really see what it was doing anyway or what it was protecting. The rubber boot that I am worried about that is split into pieces would have be under the bellows boot.
Thanks. Steve.

David Lawrence · 28th September 2014, 11:12

Quote:

Originally Posted by steveandjanes75

You are quite correct, there is a bellows boot, I just have not shown that in the photo. The bellows boot was loose and jumping around on the top of the strut, so unless it was damaged I cannot really see what it was doing anyway or what it was protecting. The rubber boot that I am worried about that is split into pieces would have be under the bellows boot.
Thanks. Steve.

Give best of british a call, they have all the bits for strut tops.

75driver · 28th September 2014, 11:35

This might help...http://www.rimmerbros.co.uk/ItemImag...GRID001542.gif
Item 8 is a spring isolator.

steveandjanes75 · 28th September 2014, 12:59

Thanks all.

I should have dropped the suspension so I could see what I needed before before buying the dampers and springs, with the idea I could do it at the weekend and be up and running again by Monday. Looks like the wife has no wheels for a few days now.

steveandjanes75 · 30th September 2014, 17:56

Hi guys,

I now have all the suspension bits, and have made up the strut assembly.
I have just tried fitting it, but can you pass on any tips.

the old strut is out and the new unit is hanging loosely in the wheel arch on the three top nuts. The Lower wishbone ball joint is free, so there is plenty of movement of the hub, but I cannot locate the base of the strut. It looks like the strut needs compressing somehow as the wishbone will not lower any further as its resting on sub frame.

What am I not doing please?

SD1too · 30th September 2014, 18:21

Quote:

Originally Posted by steveandjanes75

.. the new unit is hanging loosely in the wheel arch on the three top nuts ... What am I not doing please?

Steve,

I did this job on Mrs. SD1too's hatchback last year. Try tightening those three nuts to the specified torque. That should give you the clearance you need (I hope).

Simon

chris75 · 30th September 2014, 18:51

Quote:

Originally Posted by steveandjanes75

the old strut is out and the new unit is hanging loosely in the wheel arch on the three top nuts. The Lower wishbone ball joint is free, so there is plenty of movement of the hub, but I cannot locate the base of the strut. It looks like the strut needs compressing somehow as the wishbone will not lower any further as its resting on sub frame.

What am I not doing please?

You say the lower ball joint is free , but have you actually separated the hub from the lower arm , so that you can swing it sideways and lower it more ?
Sorry if I am stating the obvious , but I had plenty of room when I did mine

steveandjanes75 · 30th September 2014, 21:41

Quote:

Originally Posted by chris75

You say the lower ball joint is free , but have you actually separated the hub from the lower arm , so that you can swing it sideways and lower it more ?
Sorry if I am stating the obvious , but I had plenty of room when I did mine

Yes its all free. I can get the end of the strut into its flange but by only about 10mm, and that is because the hub is pulled over to the side, I think because its not inline it is binding up. I cannot bring the hub over and back in line as the bush housing on the wishbone is in the way and I cannot lift it up because of the length of the strut.
I will have another go tomorrow after work.

28th September 2014, 10:38	#1
steveandjanes75 Regular poster Rover 75 CDTi connoisseur Join Date: May 2014 Location: Ashford Posts: 38 Thanks: 14 Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts	help with suspension strut I am replacing my front shocks and springs. I also got new top bearings. But when I removed the old strut assembly there is a rubber boot (well split) that is not supplied with either the new top bearing or strut. I have attached a photo of both struts side by side in the event you can identify the rubber boot and tell me if it is necessary to be fitted. I hope the photo attaches ok. The old strut is at the top, and this boot thing is still on the old strut just below the top thread. Thanks Steve.

28th September 2014, 11:35	#5
75driver Posted a thing or two Rover 75 saloon, manual. Rover 75 Tourer, Auto. Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Newry Posts: 1,781 Thanks: 574 Thanked 443 Times in 371 Posts	This might help...http://www.rimmerbros.co.uk/ItemImag...GRID001542.gif Item 8 is a spring isolator. __________________ 2006 75 Contemporary SE diesel manual (#1) 2003 75T Connoisseur SE diesel auto (For Comfort) 2005 75 Connoisseur SE diesel auto (Marmite duotone ) 2006 75 Connoisseur SE diesel auto (The last one?) 2009 E220 (For a change) 2018 L200 (For Big & Heavy Things) 1976 W114 250 Manual (For Sundays)

30th September 2014, 17:56	#7
steveandjanes75 Regular poster Rover 75 CDTi connoisseur Join Date: May 2014 Location: Ashford Posts: 38 Thanks: 14 Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts	sorry still need help Hi guys, I now have all the suspension bits, and have made up the strut assembly. I have just tried fitting it, but can you pass on any tips. the old strut is out and the new unit is hanging loosely in the wheel arch on the three top nuts. The Lower wishbone ball joint is free, so there is plenty of movement of the hub, but I cannot locate the base of the strut. It looks like the strut needs compressing somehow as the wishbone will not lower any further as its resting on sub frame. What am I not doing please?

28th September 2014, 11:06	#3
steveandjanes75 Regular poster Rover 75 CDTi connoisseur Join Date: May 2014 Location: Ashford Posts: 38 Thanks: 14 Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts	You are quite correct, there is a bellows boot, I just have not shown that in the photo. The bellows boot was loose and jumping around on the top of the strut, so unless it was damaged I cannot really see what it was doing anyway or what it was protecting. The rubber boot that I am worried about that is split into pieces would have be under the bellows boot. Thanks. Steve.

28th September 2014, 12:59	#6
steveandjanes75 Regular poster Rover 75 CDTi connoisseur Join Date: May 2014 Location: Ashford Posts: 38 Thanks: 14 Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts	Thanks all. I should have dropped the suspension so I could see what I needed before before buying the dampers and springs, with the idea I could do it at the weekend and be up and running again by Monday. Looks like the wife has no wheels for a few days now.