Compbrake solid top mount question, anyone who has fitted them

[sammyhale22]

I have received the solid top mounts kit today. First I want to check with you I have everything. What I received was 2 x 2 piece top mounts(bottom half and top half), both with a small cylinder of metal, im guessing this is some sort of spacer?
I just need a bit more clarification if you wouldn`t mind helping?

First, I went to install the bottom half of the solid top mount on top of my strut. Do I ditch EVERYTHING that is on top of the strut?, apart from the strut top of course? Even the taper bearing? Because i noticed the solid top mount seems to sit flush if i leave the taper bearing on, however if i remove the bearing it does not sit as flush against the top strut platform. Do i need to modify the top platform i.e. file the edges down?
Also I noticed you get no nut to fit the solid top mount bottom to the shock top thread, do you just use the compression nut directly on top of the solid top mount? Then just screw the top half of the solid mount on to hold it all in place?

If anyone has any photos or diagrams of the steps I would be very very grateful. I contacted kev for instructions at kam racing but the email he sent me was very very vague!


Thankyou all.


Samuel

 

[172Ben]

See if this helps

 

[sammyhale22]

That is very helpful thanks. However I did not get any rubber washers or O Rings :/
All I got with the kit was the lower part of mount, locking ring and a spacer. What is the OEM shock turret??

Cheers,

Samuel

 

[172Ben]

Hmmmm, always been told you need the rubber washers and O rings.

The oem shock turrent is the bit with the hole in, where it all bolts to.

That make sense

LOL

 

[sammyhale22]

ahhh yes ive just realised what you mean by shock turret now, im being dumb lol.
I guess I need to get some o rings then seeing as I wasnt provided any.

Thanks for your pic and help ben!!

Samuel

 

[sammyhale22]

One other thing I just thought of. So no nut at all goes onto the shock rod??? Do I bin the compression nut?

 

[172Ben]

You should get a nut

http://www.k-tecracing.com/show_product.asp?id=2554

 

[sammyhale22]

:/

 

[Yellow Dave]

http://www.cliosport.net/forum/showthread.php?t=393664&highlight=Compbrake

Have a read through my thread, may be of some help as I had a bit of trouble fitting mine.

You need 2x rubber washers and 1x rubber 'o'ring per top mount. I didn't get any but called Compbrake (01772 696700) direct and got some sent out for £10.

Remove everything from the top original mount apart from the standard spring hat/cap including the original bearing. The new top mount has one in it. the first time I fitted them I left this bearing in place which was wrong, and the creaking noise increased. The metal sleeve/spacer sits on top of the spring cap, followed by the stepped spacer shown Yellow in 172BEN's diagram. Then fit the top mount which should let the stepped spacer sit inside the bottom of it and stick the compression nut on and do it all up.

Place a washer on top of the top mount and place it back in the suspension turret and centralise it, place the 'o'ring around the strut and press it in around the turret so you have no metal on metal contact. then wind the big lock ring on. best to mark it with a bit of paint and check it reguarly for it working itself loose.

Turn in was massively improved. I would highly recommend them.

 

[Gray]

If your having trouble with them Sammy.... Drop me a PM!

I live in Derbyshire and have fitted around 5 sets now, can give you a hand if your struggling?

 

[sammyhale22]

What size nut do I need to get to screw onto the shock rod to hold it all in place?
I`m going to try screwfix on my way home or maybe masseys. They might have some O rings and the Nut.

 

[sammyhale22]

ok looks like im missing the nut and sleeve yellow bits which should have been supplied. :/
This has been a real hassle from kam racing.

 

[Yellow Dave]

ok looks like im missing the nut and sleeve yellow bits which should have been supplied. :/
This has been a real hassle from kam racing.

Give Compbrake a call as they can provide all the bits your missing and post them to you in a couple of days. Then contact KAM and ask for a reinbursement on the money you've had to spend on parts that SHOULD come in the kit.

I've posted the the size of the 'o'rings and washers in my thread so you can probably buy them cheaper through a local A1 motor store, but it's best off going direct to compbrake for the nuts and spacers.

 

[sammyhale22]

 

[sammyhale22]

The middle photo above is what the bottom half of my compbrake looks like. The 1st pic is the sleeve/spacer. What i dont understand is how the spacer will sit underneath and provide a stable connecting surface, just leaving that bottom half alone without fitting anything to it would be more stable, its a concave shape too where as the spring top platform is flat. Is that exactly what yours looks like?

 

[sammyhale22]

I have emailed kev today at kam racing explaining to him about the parts that are missing.

 

[Kam.]

it sounds like your missing the parts ive circled in this pic.

Am I correct? if so I'll get them mailed straight out to you

-Jon

 

[sammyhale22]

Hi Jon,

Thanks for the reply , i have PM'd you.

Samuel

 

[Yellow Dave]

Sam, see the 2 stepped spacers on the left of the pic that KAM has circled, you put them under the topmount so it slides and sits into the spherical bearing, place the spacer from your 1st pic under it so it spaces the topmount off from the spring hat. Then you can wind on the big nuts in the right of KAM's circled pic. fit a rubber washer and get your suspension strut back in the car.

YHPM

 

[Darren S]

You should get a nut

http://www.k-tecracing.com/show_product.asp?id=2554

^^^ - that looks a very neat solution, Ben. SO much better than the OEM fit.

D.

 

[Kam.]

Hi Jon,

Thanks for the reply , i have PM'd you.

Samuel

The missing parts will be with you tomorrow..

-Jon

 

[sammyhale22]

Sam, see the 2 stepped spacers on the left of the pic that KAM has circled, you put them under the topmount so it slides and sits into the spherical bearing, place the spacer from your 1st pic under it so it spaces the topmount off from the spring hat. Then you can wind on the big nuts in the right of KAM's circled pic. fit a rubber washer and get your suspension strut back in the car.

YHPM

Hi Dave thanks for your help, its starting to make sense!
So those silver spacer things literally sit smack bang under the stepped spacer on top of the strut platform? Thats alot of pressure on such a small spacer lol

Sam

 

[Yellow Dave]

Hi Dave thanks for your help, its starting to make sense!
So those silver spacer things literally sit smack bang under the stepped spacer on top of the strut platform? Thats alot of pressure on such a small spacer lol

Sam

Thats what I thought when I first looked at them, so didn't fit them. What a mistake, it creaked and knocked like the wheels were about to fall off. Gave compbrake a call and they put me right. Fitted the spacers on top of the spring hat and never looked back, handles lovely with them on.

Good luck.

 

[pablo_ni]

ordered a set yesterday look forward to fitting mine.

 

[172Ben]

^^^ - that looks a very neat solution, Ben. SO much better than the OEM fit.

D.

There very good. This is what im rocking now though

 

[caister]

I got mine today from kam racing as well. Do i need the rubber washers as ive got none either. Mine look like they have already been used but i assume they are machining marks??!!

 

[172Ben]

They will be machining marks. Yes you do need the rubber washers and o ring really.

 

[caister]

^^Brilliant!! Will I be able to get them from anywhere other than compbrake as I really want to fit them tomorrow?

 

[172Ben]

For those that would like to know......
rubber washers: x2 per top mount
Internal Dia = 45mm
External dia = 55mm
thickness = 2mm
Rubber O-Ring: x1 per top mount
Internal dia = 45mm
Thickness = 2mm


There the sizes you need, should be able to get them from motor factors, B&Q maybe.

 

[caister]

I'll try B&Q in the morning thanks for the help

 

[pablo_ni]

just fitted mine there, came with all the bits but I didnt use the silver 10mm ish spacers. Also had to file down one of the top nuts to fit inside the bearing.

other than that all went well.

anyone know off the top of their head what size socket I need to tighten the top nuts? 25 or 26 I think. Just finger tight for now.

 

[sammyhale22]

Would it not be best to use a polyurethane washer instead of rubber? This crossed my mind today as rubber deteriorates over time, how long are the rubber washers going to last before they break down and the strut top loosens?

 

[caister]

Would it not be best to use a polyurethane washer instead of rubber? This crossed my mind today as rubber deteriorates over time, how long are the rubber washers going to last before they break down and the strut top loosens?

I went to B&Q to get my washers and o-rings. I used a poly washer for between the top mount and the strut and then used a rubber washer and oring on the top.

What is the o-ring actually for as I do not see the point of it being on there?

 

[caister]

just fitted mine there, came with all the bits but I didnt use the silver 10mm ish spacers. Also had to file down one of the top nuts to fit inside the bearing.

other than that all went well.

anyone know off the top of their head what size socket I need to tighten the top nuts? 25 or 26 I think. Just finger tight for now.

Whats the reason for not using the spacers as surely the top mount will hit the spring hat now?

 

[172Ben]

You should be using the spacers yes

 

[pablo_ni]

if I use the spacer there isnt enough thread on the shock to put the top nut on.

spax coilovers btw. Seems to fit absolutely perfectly as it is now.

 

[sammyhale22]

B&Q sell Poly washers?????

 

[caister]

B&Q sell Poly washers?????

Yeah in the plumbing section

 

[MonkeyKnifeFight]

There very good. This is what im rocking now though

How much these set you back bud? ive heard they are amazing.

 

[Fred@BTM]

they're £300+ IIRC, nice though!