So I broke my Spax RSX...

[rdoxenham]

OK, hands-up, I was very stupid and I blame nobody but myself.

Long story short, I used to have a GAZ GHA setup with KTec solid top mounts; I sold my old GAZ coilovers and must have sent off the solid top mount spacer with the old shocks to the new owner. In my haste, I lined the new Spax RSX up with the solid top mount, which I now realise I placed right onto the bearing, i.e. top collet right onto the bearing on the top mount, and tightened everything up from the top. Span the car around on my drive after fitting and heard a rather large crunch...

I snapped the top of the shaft clean off on the passenger side and bent the drivers side. They're now off the car and my Cup is sitting on the drive on axel stands. Nightmare situation!

So - I'm *hoping* I can pay to have them rebuilt at Spax, although I'm not holding my breath... I suspect they're sealed units and I may have to buy new ones (any input here would be great?)

Other than that, if I either get new or get the existing ones rebuilt, I need to know exactly how they're meant to be fitted. If anyone has any photos and layout of how the strut is built up with all components into the car with a solid top mount I'd very much appreciate it.

End of very embarrassing story and start of an expensive lesson...

Cheers
Rhys

 

[AlexW]

I can't picture how you've ruined it, get some pics up!

But, they can rebuild them, I enquired a few years back.

Doubt it'll be cheap for new rods however.

 

[rdoxenham]

I can't picture how you've ruined it, get some pics up!

But, they can rebuild them, I enquired a few years back.

Doubt it'll be cheap for new rods however.

OK - that's good news on the rebuild. Am waiting to hear back from Spax.

I suspect that it won't be cheap, hence the expensive lesson... just want to get them fixed and on the car properly.

Will get some pics up shortly.

 

[rdoxenham]

As promised...

 

[MicKPM]

Did you use a hefty rattle gun on that?

 

[George182]

Oh dear :/

 

[rdoxenham]

Did you use a hefty rattle gun on that?

No, just my hands and a couple of spanners!

 

[rdoxenham]

Oh dear :/

Yep! Need to figure out how it all goes back together when the struts are ready.

 

[NorthloopCup]

As promised...

View attachment 109628View attachment 109629View attachment 109630

Tbh, there's not really a lot of 'meat' around that part that's failed considering the load it has going through it. Obviously works though, but not designed for the twisting force that's been put through it.

 

[NorthloopCup]

Have you got any pictures of how you had it assembled?

 

[rdoxenham]

NorthloopCup - as requested, see rudimentary picture below. The photos above do not show the top collet which holds the spring in. I need to find out whether I'm missing a part in the configuration below. What must have happened is that the top collet (or whatever holds the top of the spring) wasn't fixed into position and didn't have anything to attach into, as a result it was able to slip around. The problem then is when the strut slides, it shears off the top mount.