Did I screw up my Koni installation?

Shaun55F · Mon, May-24-2010, 12:55:35 AM

I think so. lol

Basically I have clunking in front and can hear it and see it when I push down on the front quarter panels.

There was a good deal of play in the strut hats after I cleaned out the bearings and applied new grease. Now when I push down on the car I can visually see the strut shaft assembly move up and down while the hat stays stationary (obviously).

Also, I realized that I didn't install this white spacer. Would this cause my problem? Or are my hats just beyond repair?

Here are a few crappy pics of the new stance with the Eibach Pro-Kit and some Bimmerworld camber shims installed.

Thanks!

srhodes · Mon, May-24-2010, 06:42:35 AM

yeh that sounds like a strut hat issue to me

Richardsperry · Mon, May-24-2010, 11:58:18 AM

The white space has nothing to do with it. Did you get the metal washers installed in the correct order? How did you tighten the top nut?

Shaun55F · Mon, May-24-2010, 01:09:33 PM

I didn't think that spacer was the culprit. I do believe I got all of the washers installed in the correct orientation--I was careful with the disassembly for this very reason.

As for tightening the nut, rubber hose on a clamp to not scar the shaft and a 22mm socket.

I've been doing some research and the symptoms sound more and more like shot strut hats. The struts were beyond blown so it wouldn't be a great surprise.

Shaun55F · Mon, May-24-2010, 01:43:12 PM

I was thinking, did I not torque down the top nut enough? There was no specific instruction, so I just kind of eyeballed it.

alanil · Mon, May-24-2010, 02:43:32 PM

There shouldn't be any play in the strut hat bearings. I'd start by replacing them.

There are OEM versions available from RMeuropean and Pelican for around $60.

When you reinstall them make sure the top nut is tightened down enough. I'm not sure how you would do this easily with hand tools, but I used an electric impact.

**Synenergy52** · Mon, May-24-2010, 04:00:09 PM

It is my opinion you didn't torque down the top nut enough. This EXACT same thing happened when I installed Konis on my 2005 Accord. There was visible movement of the shaft when bouncing the car up and down. I tightened the nut further and the strut was then rock solid. Try it out

Shaun55F · Mon, May-24-2010, 04:27:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Synenergy52

It is my opinion you didn't torque down the top nut enough. This EXACT same thing happened when I installed Konis on my 2005 Accord. There was visible movement of the shaft when bouncing the car up and down. I tightened the nut further and the strut was then rock solid. Try it out

Yeah, I was thinking that was a possibility. Oh well. It's all coming out because I ordered some new hats. Hopefully I get it right this time!

**Synenergy52** · Mon, May-24-2010, 04:59:09 PM

OEM Lemforders? I ordered new hats when I did my stuff too... everyone said it was unnecessary, then I felt bad.

Shaun55F · Mon, May-24-2010, 05:25:11 PM

Yeah, went with the OEM Lemforders. I should have just ordered them from the get-go but when you've done a clutch, cooling, and suspension job in a span of 5 months, you begin to be a bit more cautious with the $$$. lol

Mon, May-24-2010, 12:55:35 AM	#1
Shaun55F Hello Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 612 Reputation: 0 Location: Florida	Did I screw up my Koni installation? I think so. lol Basically I have clunking in front and can hear it and see it when I push down on the front quarter panels. There was a good deal of play in the strut hats after I cleaned out the bearings and applied new grease. Now when I push down on the car I can visually see the strut shaft assembly move up and down while the hat stays stationary (obviously). Also, I realized that I didn't install this white spacer. Would this cause my problem? Or are my hats just beyond repair? Here are a few crappy pics of the new stance with the Eibach Pro-Kit and some Bimmerworld camber shims installed. Thanks! __________________

Mon, May-24-2010, 06:42:35 AM	#2
srhodes Registered User Join Date: May 2009 Posts: 780 Reputation: 0	yeh that sounds like a strut hat issue to me __________________

Mon, May-24-2010, 11:58:18 AM	#3
Richardsperry 95 SC M3 Join Date: Aug 2005 Age: 56 Posts: 3,505 Reputation: 0 Location: Eldersburg, MD	The white space has nothing to do with it. Did you get the metal washers installed in the correct order? How did you tighten the top nut? __________________ No matter where you go, there you are!

Mon, May-24-2010, 01:09:33 PM	#4
Shaun55F Hello Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 612 Reputation: 0 Location: Florida	I didn't think that spacer was the culprit. I do believe I got all of the washers installed in the correct orientation--I was careful with the disassembly for this very reason. As for tightening the nut, rubber hose on a clamp to not scar the shaft and a 22mm socket. I've been doing some research and the symptoms sound more and more like shot strut hats. The struts were beyond blown so it wouldn't be a great surprise. __________________

Mon, May-24-2010, 01:43:12 PM	#5
Shaun55F Hello Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 612 Reputation: 0 Location: Florida	I was thinking, did I not torque down the top nut enough? There was no specific instruction, so I just kind of eyeballed it. __________________

Mon, May-24-2010, 02:43:32 PM	#6
alanil Registered User Join Date: Dec 2009 Posts: 354 Reputation: 0 Location: DC	There shouldn't be any play in the strut hat bearings. I'd start by replacing them. There are OEM versions available from RMeuropean and Pelican for around $60. When you reinstall them make sure the top nut is tightened down enough. I'm not sure how you would do this easily with hand tools, but I used an electric impact.

Mon, May-24-2010, 04:00:09 PM	#7
Synenergy52 Banned Join Date: Apr 2009 Posts: 1,451 Reputation: 0 Location: Los Angeles	It is my opinion you didn't torque down the top nut enough. This EXACT same thing happened when I installed Konis on my 2005 Accord. There was visible movement of the shaft when bouncing the car up and down. I tightened the nut further and the strut was then rock solid. Try it out

Mon, May-24-2010, 04:59:09 PM	#9
Synenergy52 Banned Join Date: Apr 2009 Posts: 1,451 Reputation: 0 Location: Los Angeles	OEM Lemforders? I ordered new hats when I did my stuff too... everyone said it was unnecessary, then I felt bad.

Mon, May-24-2010, 05:25:11 PM	#10
Shaun55F Hello Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 612 Reputation: 0 Location: Florida	Yeah, went with the OEM Lemforders. I should have just ordered them from the get-go but when you've done a clutch, cooling, and suspension job in a span of 5 months, you begin to be a bit more cautious with the $$$. lol __________________

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