Strut bump stop installation

spyder2000me · Post by **spyder2000me** » 28 Feb 2018, 11:08

Been chasing the front end clunk. Replaced the front struts, the front control arms and bushings, the ball joints, and now the strut mounts, bearings and bellows(I was stupid not to do that with the struts - don't be like me.) Noise was gone for a day but has now returned at just a little less volume. I have not yet replaced tie rod ends or hubs.

I was unable to get enough strut rod extension to install the bumps stops and be able to catch a thread on the rod.

My question: what's the secret to installing the bump stops. I can see that without them, there is metal to metal contact between the top of the rod and the washer under the strut mount rubber. The top of the rod is below the top of the mount and rubber washer. Ideas?

lummert · Post by **lummert** » 28 Feb 2018, 13:45

Did you use a spring compressor?

spyder2000me · Post by **spyder2000me** » 02 Mar 2018, 10:48

You betcha I did.
The issue is that from the shoulder of the strut shaft to the top of the big rubber cushion on top of the assembled strut mount is far less (by more than an inch and a half) than the thickness of the shoulder in the bump stop. When fully extended, the strut shaft does not protrude through that washer at all so I can't even grab the tip of it (has flats for a wrench) and pull it farther out.
I am considering cutting most of the top of the bump stop off and retaining just a bit of shoulder but it appears that isn't going to last long. If there's a secret out there I'd sure like to know what it is.