Standard top mount issues

[TheEvilGiraffe]

Ok, so trying to fit standard top mounts with FK Silverline coilovers is proving to be an issue.

First off, we accidentally fitted them without the spacer block, (shown below) so after a while they started knocking, as you'd expect.

Second, we got hold of the spacer, tried to fit, and since doing so the top rubber is a mile off fitting correctly.

Picture explanation below of how we are putting them together to see if we are going wrong:

First off, the top of FK. As you can see, there is no allen key hole in the top, but a 11mm nut head instead. The rubber donut is fitted below with the o ring in place.

Next fit the spacer:

Next fit the compression nut:

Next fit the top rubber donut:

Next, tighten as much as possible (but we can't go too tight as we can't get on the nut on the top (it won't go far enough before hitting the metal))

When done up as tight as possible, this is the gap:

The main problem is that this seems to be as far as they can physically go, as metal meets metal, so we're stuck.

Help, CS.

 

[biojo]

why wud u need the compression nut on?

 

[TheEvilGiraffe]

You don't, but it fits inside the top donut anyway, so makes no difference to how far it'll screw down.

 

[biojo]

Re: I think I f**ked the coilover fitting FRED I NEED YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
the order is

ali top hat
top mount bearing
rubber ring
spacer
nut


thats off another thread

 

[Earpl]

Always pay attention when stripping something down lol

Not that i havent done it when i was young, and was that excited about a shiney new part lol

 

[TheEvilGiraffe]

Look, moron, if you could read, you'd notice I never had the original parts, helpful as f**k you are mate, nice one.

Would anyone care to enlighten us please!

Robbos x

 

[Rob]

So, anyone care to shed any light on this?

All we really need to know is if:

a) we've done something wrong

b) there's anything we can do to improve it.

 

[Craig.H]

My one did this wen I fitted the coilovers, turned out I gad the bearing in upside down! Doh! Just a thought?

So, anyone care to shed any light on this?

All we really need to know is if:

a) we've done something wrong

b) there's anything we can do to improve it.

 

[Rob]

I'm quite sure its the right way up, not 100% though.

Can you describe what way up you have it?

You have one side that has a "hole" and one side that does not, I have the "hole" side up I believe.

 

[TheEvilGiraffe]

So, anyone care to shed any light on this?

All we really need to know is if:

a) we've done something wrong

b) there's anything we can do to improve it.

 

[Rob]

As much as I'd love to burn it with fire, I think I'll just try and fix it

Sooo.... 9-5'ers got any ideas?

 

[jinjur]

Dude, that looks ok to me.

Apart from less thread at the top with them being different shocks I don't see a problem.

The top nut is only meant to be nipped tight anyway, not super tight.

P.s. It would have been nice To get some Fred tm washers in there but you haven't enough thread imo. Bearings definitely in the right way round?

I just did mine the other night but I'm afraid I can't remember if they were hole or flat side up

Sorry

Jj

 

[Vicky.]

Same thing happened with mine and I noticed they were turning when I turned the steering wheel, turned out (as said above) it was the bearing.

 

[Craig.H]

im not the only one then!! :rasp:

i smashed my bearing to bits when i let it back down of the axle stands.....so be careful!

 

[Rob]

I'm quite sure its around the right way though, so I'm totally lost.

It does seem like there is just less thread on the FK's compared to standard? But that makes no sense as they shouldn't be a s**t design!

Surely with that much clearance, it just wobbles all over the place????

I need Fred or a super genius I think....

I'm considering replacing the spacer with something smaller, a thick washer or similar? But again, that doesn't really work as the spacer holds the top of the shock tight in place on the donut with it's "lip".

 

[Craig.H]

im putting my ast top mounts on tonight, so i will have a look at how they are built up on mine when i take them off mate.

i would double check the bearing though, just try it the other way and see wat happens if your not sure?

 

[jinjur]

I'm quite sure its around the right way though, so I'm totally lost.

It does seem like there is just less thread on the FK's compared to standard? But that makes no sense as they shouldn't be a s**t design!

Surely with that much clearance, it just wobbles all over the place????

I need Fred or a super genius I think....

I'm considering replacing the spacer with something smaller, a thick washer or similar? But again, that doesn't really work as the spacer holds the top of the shock tight in place on the donut with it's "lip".

No, the rubber donut is holding it in place....

the top mushroom is only to stop it falling out altogether.

mines like that standard

 

[Rob]

Yeah but without there being anything pulling the donut tight to the car, surely all that is holding that donut in place is the weight of the car? So it's really going to end up moving around and knocking?

Yours is like that standard? With a gap THAT big??

h3ppy - if you could take some pics of how it's assembled, that'd be amazing.

 

[Budgie]

There's a gap on all of them.

That does look rather large, though./

 

[Rob]

I know? Like HUGE! I'd heard there was a gap on all of them, but that just looks silly

I definately still have a knock, but it's possible that may the dogbone mount, I've been waiting 13 days for my bushes to come from Kam racing....

Saying that, the knock "feels" like it's coming from the suspension.

I'm really out of ideas now tbh.

 

[Vicky.]

Rob YHPM

 

[Rob]

TY Victoria, I have replied, any more genuis's for any more?

 

[Fred@BTM]

Same thing happened with mine and I noticed they were turning when I turned the steering wheel, turned out (as said above) it was the bearing.

they're supposed to! LOL

the caps aren't supposed to touch the body at all

 

[st3ve]

To be honest, the standard mounts are s**t...END OF.

I've got FK konigsports, don't know if yours are the same but when I had standard mounts on without this washer there was still next to no thread on them coming through the top so it's no surprise you are having this issue.

Sadly I don't know how you can fix it as it looks to me that everything is okay as far as I can tell.

My only advice would be to get some k-tec solid top mounts, they have a new design since the horror stories with the bearings and they are absolutely brilliant. They are better than standard in every way and look good too, definitely worth investing in some.

Mine were also knocking like feck, even when driving in a straight line, thats why I bought the k-tec mounts, I saw this washer idea but I knew it just wouldn't work.

Before anyone pounces on that comment when I say wouldn't work I mean it's a s**t idea, imo.

 

[Rob]

they're supposed to! LOL

the caps aren't supposed to touch the body at all

Fred, oh wise one!

Any thing to offer on this? Or is how they're sitting pretty much as good as it gets?

If so I think I'll sell up for some solid ones...

I know you say they're not supposed to touch, but surely there shouldn't be THAT much clearance? As when I go over a bump it's able to just jump all over the place?

To be honest, the standard mounts are s**t...END OF.

I've got FK konigsports, don't know if yours are the same but when I had standard mounts on without this washer there was still next to no thread on them coming through the top so it's no surprise you are having this issue.

Sadly I don't know how you can fix it as it looks to me that everything is okay as far as I can tell.

My only advice would be to get some k-tec solid top mounts, they have a new design since the horror stories with the bearings and they are absolutely brilliant. They are better than standard in every way and look good too, definitely worth investing in some.

Mine were also knocking like feck, even when driving in a straight line, thats why I bought the k-tec mounts, I saw this washer idea but I knew it just wouldn't work.

Before anyone pounces on that comment when I say wouldn't work I mean it's a s**t idea, imo.

I don't think the washer would even fit on mine FFS!!!

I think I'll go for solid ones, not sure why I didn't, I guess it was because the compbrake ones were so bad, I suppose I can sell my lot off as a practically new top mount kit.

 

[Fred@BTM]

you MUST assemble the top mount on the shock first then fit it to the car otherwise the top hat of the coilover might not clear the strut tube correctly, hence why the tap cap won't screw down far enough

there's ZERO wrong with the stock top mounts, better than the solid ones IMO

 

[Rob]

These were assembled off the car fred, the only thing I did whilst on the car was add the spacer to the setup. I'll give taking the whole setup off and assembling it a go though, I'm a fecking pro at removing/fitting suspension now.

Cheers mate.

If they still don't go tight, then surely solid ones are better? As that much clearance can't be healthy?

 

[Fred@BTM]

its fine, they don't go tight as in clamp down on the body, you wouldn't be able to turn the steering

MAKE SURE the top hat on top of the spring is seated on the strut tube correctly, you'll see what i mean

 

[Rob]

Will do mate, I know they don't clamp down (I've seen you mention it many times before), but as you can see in the pic, I can get my finger in the gap! Which to me doesn't look right.

I'll get them taken apart tmrw evening and see where I get.

Muchos gracias for the information so far, I'll report back with further issues... lol!

One other thing, how hard is pressing a powerflex doggbone mount in myself going to be? Do-able or a garage job?

 

[st3ve]

Will do mate, I know they don't clamp down (I've seen you mention it many times before), but as you can see in the pic, I can get my finger in the gap! Which to me doesn't look right.

I'll get them taken apart tmrw evening and see where I get.

Muchos gracias for the information so far, I'll report back with further issues... lol!

One other thing, how hard is pressing a powerflex doggbone mount in myself going to be? Do-able or a garage job?

Garage job unless you have a vice.

 

[wayne_09]

Rob here's a picture of mine with k-tec coilovers,

 

[wayne_09]

fred quick question whilst we are on the subject of knocking noise, the rubber bit that sits on the bearing, is this the cause of the knocking noise as i can see it's worn down a fair bit?

 

[Fred@BTM]

can be one cause yes

 

[rich-6]

MAKE SURE the top hat on top of the spring is seated on the strut tube correctly, you'll see what i mean

Was just abouts to say but saw page two lol,

This is what it will be i'm pretty confident on that too

 

[Bluebeard]

Just ran out to check my car and its the same rob. Sent you an mms too.

 

[Rob]

Cheers for that you Bristolian diamond you, I put up a video on the other thread (I even said hello to you in it)