[JordanS]

I have some issues with my suspension. Today I was coming back to work after getting lunch at the McDonald’s nearby. After entering the parking lot, I noticed a loud scraping sound. I at first thought my wheel had somehow not been torqued and it was becoming loose. Upon closer inspection, I noticed the bottom of the strut assembly was rubbing on the top of my tire. The scraping was the rocks sticking to the hot rubber. I limped it into a bay and discovered the strut is of at an angle yet it’s attached at both ends securely. I ended up leaving my car at work since I didn’t feel comfortable going over 5 mph.

I have a feeling I need some new struts but I wanted to get a 2nd opinion. And if it is the strut (or another part) what is a good brand that is cost effective but also performs like the OEM part?

 

[peva]

Hard to visualize without a photo. The way you describe it, it's like one of the two bolts that attaches the strut to the top of the knuckle has broken or fallen out, causing an extreme camber issue. Is bearing/hub intact and fully attached to the knuckle?

 

[peva]

 

[yevrah]

one possibility, is the spring perch has finally rotted enough to give way, coming down on the tire.

 

[JordanS]

one possibility, is the spring perch has finally rotted enough to give way, coming down on the tire.

hmmm ok. Everything looked pretty solid and screwed together when I had the wheel off the day it happened. Here are some pics of the suspension then.

 

[JordanS]

While it is rusty, it’s pretty solid for the most part.

 

[peva]

It looks like Yevrah is correct: The lower spring support has rusted and detached from the body of the strut. You can see the severe rust where the spring supprt used to join the strut, plus you can see shiny metal on the underside of the spring support where the tire has rubbed it. Study your 1st, 2nd, and 3rd photos.

 

[peva]

Cropped from your photos:

1st photo - Severe rust (upper arrow) & tire rub (lower arrow):

2nd photo - Tire rub:

3rd photo - Lower spring support rusted, detached, and dropped down:

 

[yevrah]

as peva said, your perch is sitting at steep angle to the back.
and you can see where it used to be attached on the strut.
gonna need a new strut.

 

[JordanS]

Cropped from your photos:

1st photo - Severe rust (upper arrow) & tire rub (lower arrow):
View attachment 42580

2nd photo - Tire rub:
View attachment 42581


3rd photo - Lower spring support rusted, detached, and dropped down:
View attachment 42582

Is that rubber piece part of the spring? I was able to take that off when I had it on the lift.

 

[JordanS]

as peva said, your perch is sitting at steep angle to the back.
and you can see where it used to be attached on the strut.
gonna need a new strut.

Ok. Thankfully that’s not a super hard job so I think I’ll definitely get the 2 front ones changed to start. Thanks for the advice and the info!

 

[JordanS]

Ok. Thankfully that’s not a super hard job so I think I’ll definitely get the 2 front ones changed to start. Thanks for the advice and the info!

I’m now working on changing the struts and when I said it was easy, it’s actually not. The upper sway bar linkage key is stripped on both sides and vice grips aren’t cutting it. Is there anything I can do to make this somewhat easier or do I have to cut it out and get new ones?

 

[peva]

I’m now working on changing the struts and when I said it was easy, it’s actually not. The upper sway bar linkage key is stripped on both sides and vice grips aren’t cutting it. Is there anything I can do to make this somewhat easier or do I have to cut it out and get new ones?

(Edited for clarification.)

Nut splitter or cut the nuts/ends off.

Some of the aftermarket replacement links have a full size hex (like a 14 or 15mm nut made as part of the stud) rather than a wimpy 8mm hex hole. That doesn't help you now, but may in the future. Putting grease on the threads of the new end links when you install then may also help for the future (when if they have to be removed/replaced).

 

[yevrah]

some have a hex on the back side.
get some heat on the nuts and some penetrant for awhile.
hacksaw/sawzall them tight to the bar on the backside and get new if all else fails.
hope you have a good weekend to work on it.

 

[JordanS]

Nut splitter or cut the nuts/ends off.

Some of the aftermarket replacement links have a full size hex rather than a wimpy 8mm hex hole. That doesn't help you now, but may in the future. Putting grease on the threads may also help for the future.

Ok thanks for the tip! I was thinking I had to buy new sway bars but I’m glad to know it can be repaired somewhat.

 

[peva]

I find that a Dremel tool with cut-off or grinding disc works well for cutting thru the nut (after a few cuts, you can break it off in pieces) and giving control against scarring up the sway bar.

 

[JordanS]

I find that a Dremel tool with cut-off or grinding disc works well for cutting thru the nut (after a few cuts, you can break it off in pieces) and giving control against scarring up the sway bar.

Ok. I’ll probably just get new away bars if they’re not expensive.

 

[yevrah]

sway bars are expensive, links aren't .
i'll assume that's what you meant.
cut the link in the centre of the connecting shaft and worry about sway bar end after you get the strut out.

 

[peva]

31 = sway bar
28 = end link

 

[JordanS]

31 = sway bar
28 = end link

View attachment 42657

Ok. Yea I’m talking about the end link. I’ll probably get new ones like you suggested. The 8mm key is too small anyway. I’m stupid how I thought the little end link was the sway bar lmao!
Thanks for the clarification.