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[flyer 0712]

I have assembled two front struts for my desmond..but after looking at them again i think i have dropped a clanger....what i would like to know is,,,,,is there a particular way that the top steel plate where  the top rubber seat  is to take the top of the spring should be fitted...because when you look at the top steel plate it is deeper one side than the opposite side where the spring fits...so the rubber seat is also deeper one side and thinner the other...so does the deep side of the rubber seat fit to the deep side of the steel top plate....if so i have fitted one where the deep part of the rubber is fitted to the shallow side of the steel top plate and the rubber sticks up over the inner edge...not sure if i have explained that very good realy.......but is it possible to fit the top steel plate incorrectly to the strut..thanks....

[05omegav6]

Only way to be sure will be to dismantle it/them...

Spring side will show wear from the spring, and plate side of the rubber is rounded on the upper inside edge.

[flyer 0712]

there lies a slight problem....i used the top steel plates from another omega not giving it a thought about how they fitted,(silly me )..and then i painted them to make them look pretty..lol...so no marks are to be found now,,,,,i know the bottom of the spring is fitted ok because the rubber fits into a groove and the spring sits into that.....the top of the spring fits into the upper rubber mount into the cut out in the rubber so that is correct....its whether its possible to fit the top steel plate that goes over and inside the top of the spring incorrectly as it has a strange centre boss where it hangs down inside the spring where the dust cover and bump stop fit into that is different size around the circumference as if the deepest part takes the deepest part of the top rubber seat on the spring....looked on here to see if there was ...a how to do it....but couldnt see one  and even the useless haynes manual on the 2.0 ltr pre face lift just says.....locate the rubber damper in the upper spring seat....with no mention of anything special to look for,,,all other makes of cars i have replaced the struts it was a simple top plate off with rubber seat clean and just replace,,so i am at a loss to know if the omega has a special location place on the top plate...thanks..

[05omegav6]

Still need to dismantle it... sounds like thge top plates and rubbers are indeed fitted correctly... however the cup washers might not be

The lower one that sits between the bump stop and bottom of the top mount should be dished side down, and the top one with the nut on/in it should be dished side up...

Fitting the lower one the wrong way up might cause the symptoms you describe

[flyer 0712]

ok thanks.....back to the drawing board tomorrow it is then.....

[Tick Tock]

I think I know what you mean, and the written word on here can sometimes be confusing or misunderstood, so hopefully the following may help (unless of course I've got it wrong as well). I recently did my front shocks, and noticed before dismantling the top mounting cup is deeper on one side than the other, so put them back the same way they came off. I've had the car since it was 2 years old, so am guessing they haven't been off before, and that the position is per standard.



There are 2 drain holes in the top mounting cup, and the larger hole (not quite visible in the pic) is aligned with the drop link bracket side of the assembly. You can see the smaller drain hole easily. I hope this helps 



Oh. and the paint marks on the spring are also on the drop link bracket side.

[flyer 0712]

thanks to Harris...Nick..Tick toc...great info and pics...took mine apart today and re-assembled them again...the only difference between the pics on here and mine is that the small hole in the top plate on mine is more or less aligned up with the drop link bracket on the rear of the strut...and not the larger one as in the pics,,,,,will this matter when fitting to the car,,,and what actually does that top steel plate do apart from holding the spring down in place....does that plate come into contact with the car body work under the wing when refitting or is it the rubber mounting that holds it all in place....also before fitting to the car..when the strut is assembled and  the top plate nut  done up to the torque settings  should the top rubber mount with the bearing in be able to be rotated by hand or should it be solid..thanks..

[05omegav6]

Don't worry about torquing it until the car is back on the ground

[flyer 0712]

ok thanks something else learned today..

[05omegav6]

ok thanks something else learned today..

It's easier to get some torque on the top nut if your not trying to hold the strut with the other hand instead of stopping the rod from turning...

[flyer 0712]

 

[jarqo1981]

Hi all, few weeks ago when I was in Poland on holiday I mounted new B4 and top mount febi, problem is, when car is on the wheels I noticed gap...but if car is lifted, gap is less (see photo please)...it is normal? Also from few days I noticed knocking...I'm sure it coming from top mount, but every bump on the road is noticeable on sterring wheel... I've got new wishbone arms with powerflex bushes (only front ones) new track rod ends, stabiliser links...tracking done. Car drove fantastic...on the way back to UK ride was like a dream...but now sugestion please? Kind Regards

When car on the wheel:




And when lifted...:

[05omegav6]

That is normal...

Where the top mount sits under the inner wing it relies on the weight of the car to keep it in place

Was all that work recent? If yes check and double check everything for tightness... by everything I mean drop links, wishbone bolts, track rod lock bolts, ball joints, top nuts (both under and above the top plate) and report back

[jarqo1981]

All checked, all good, but control arm likely play.