1/4" gap betwen upper rubber bushign above strut bearin

[TuHandy]

I replaced springs a couple months ago and noticed before I replaced them that there was a 1/4" gap under the "4 tabs" that dosbricks stated earlier. I thought it was odd. I installed new springs and upper spring seats, put everthing back together and put car on ground. Sure enough the gap was still there. No clunks or noises so I assumed that was normal.

[l8_apex_it]

Well.... I finally had more time tonight to jack up the whole front end. Checked out he driver side sway-bar end-link where it attaches to the strut and found it just a tad loose. I think this is due in part to using a rather thick craftsmen box wrench in between the ball joint and the sway-bar itself. I think the box wrench was trapped between the two making me think it was tight. (that is my theory at least).

So I tightened it pretty tight and made sure the other side was OK (which it was). I then put the wheels back on and took it for a test drive... SILENCE! It was great.

So now I'm done with installing the new IPD safety sway-bars along with the Bilstein Touring Class struts. On top of that Wheel Works wouldn't patch one of my tires which I found to have a nail in and the backs were at their limit so I had to buy all new Bridgestone Potenza G009's. The ride is pretty smooth. The car handles much better now and doesn't feel like it wants to push through the corners as badly as it did before.