Newbie Question re: replacing front struts

[HeavyDuty]

As I was changing my front struts I happened upon this situation you guys are talking about here, I came to look for answers and found this thread.

I then had a rather long conversation with Monroe, sent them photos ect., the space is not suppose to be there they tell me. You are to remove the strut and back the first nut off enough so that when installed this all tightens together like one would think it should. The nut that holds the spring compressed has a torque value, if it's over tightened you get the gap like is in these pictures..and was on my car.

[HeavyDuty]

As I was changing my front struts I happened upon this situation you guys are talking about here, I came to look for answers and found this thread.

I then had a rather long conversation with Monroe, sent them photos ect., the space is not suppose to be there they tell me. You are to remove the strut and back the first nut off enough so that when installed this all tightens together like one would think it should. The nut that holds the spring compressed has a torque value, if it's over tightened you get the gap like is in these pictures..and was on my car.

Well imagine my suprise this morning when I went to remove my struts and follow the direction of the "Monroe Expert". The position of the underside nut has no bearing on this issue in anyway....I sent them back an email and waiting on a reply.

If the gap is not suppose to be there....and I don't think it is suppose to be either, the only way I can see to correct it is a redesigned mount.....I will let you know what they say.

[petrified.rabbit]

I could have told you that. It is a floating front suspension. The gap is supposed to be there.

( i was in florida for 2 weeks, still catching up )

[HeavyDuty]

I could have told you that. It is a floating front suspension. The gap is supposed to be there.

( i was in florida for 2 weeks, still catching up )

It's pretty sad isn't rabbit when you can't even take the word of the people that make the parts..geez. I am getting pretty frustrated with this car I tell you, I just paid over 300 bucks to have it aligned and the steering wheel came out straight is now crooked again and is all over the road..this is alignment number (6) they last only a few weeks. And I have replaced every single front end part it has aside from tirerods...

I am ordering these ultraracing bars now see if that helps keep it aligned if it doesn't the car is gone I have had enough.

[petrified.rabbit]

Are you sure its not the alignment shop and not the car?

[HeavyDuty]

I can now answer your question rabbit, it's the car. Rabbit I have remained engaged with Monroe in regards to this space on these front struts...they are 100% POSITIVELY CERTAIN it's not suppose to be there. This presents a situation of sorts, they say the space can't be there and yet it's there.

They have taken my photos to one of their engineers and they still came back today saying space not suppose to be there. IDK

But they can't tell me how to make it go away either LOL and I see no way aside from a redesigned mount.

[petrified.rabbit]

the space is in every aveo made. If they were still available new, I would tell you to go to a dealer and pop open every hood in the line of new aveos to see how it is supposed to look.

vw's have a floating suspension too. They have a slight space in them when installed too. Its when the gap "enlarges" or passes a certain distance, that they are worn. In the aveo it seems they are "acceptable" until almost 3/8" and a 1/2" requires definite replacement.

just the shear design, if you tighten the upper cap to the strut uninstalled, you will see a gap between the mount rubber and cap. The thickness of the strut tower metal is not enough to fill that. period.

look up "VW strut top gap" use google and search images. this will give you pictures, and clicking on them will take you (often) to discussions on the subject.. which will further explain it to you.

[HeavyDuty]

yes I know we all have it, there's no way to correct it. It would be fine if during normal operation the gap remained constant and the car sat firmly on the mount as I imagine VW's do. I have a variable position steering wheel, one day straight, next day at 11 o'clock is straight that mount is the most obvious point that could be adjusting the alignment.

Ultraracing's strut tower bar should have tied those two struts together, not just the towers maybe.