Do struts need tightening after fitting?

[Rav]

Guys,

The clunk seems to be working it's way back. However, this doesn't sound like before but slightly different.

Do the nuts and bolts of the strut need tightening after a while of driving? I did notice that the top three bolts of the strut that we changed in November needed tightening last saturday.

Thanks,

Rav.

 

[Shoaz]

It won't hurt anything to re-tighten those.

Since the 'big' clunks are more or less gone you might just be focusing on what's left, which is probably just the usual exhaust, etc., related clunks.

But it could be that your rear suspension is about to fall off, too.

 

[GoofSHO]

But it could be that your rear suspension is about to fall off, too.

Your BAAAAAAD!!!!


B

 

[Rav]

It won't hurt anything to re-tighten those.

Since the 'big' clunks are more or less gone you might just be focusing on what's left, which is probably just the usual exhaust, etc., related clunks.

But it could be that your rear suspension is about to fall off, too.

Eric I think something loosened up because it definitely is louder than Saturday and it is from the left side.

I'll see if I can rustle up some tools... otherwise it's off to sears to get some and see if I can tighten them up.

Rav.

 

[Shoaz]

There's no need to jack up the car or anything for the nuts on the top of the mount, it's better to have the weight of the car on it when tightening those (which, BTW, I don't remember whether we did or not when it went back in, that might be part of the issue).

 

[Rav]

There's no need to jack up the car or anything for the nuts on the top of the mount, it's better to have the weight of the car on it when tightening those (which, BTW, I don't remember whether we did or not when it went back in, that might be part of the issue).

Okay, long story but after going through every bolt it turns out it is the one on the strut itself the big one that secures the strut to the strut mount. It's loose, you can access it from the parcel shelf, which has a convenient plastic cover for this bolt.

I think that if you have a deep socket of the right size, we could tighten it without taking the strut out.

Eric do you have any idea what that nut size was? It's bigger than a 19mm.

Thanks,

Rav.

 

[Shoaz]

Hmmm...which side? We cranked both of those down pretty good, so I'm a bit surprised.

You need an open end wrench (or something) plus a 10mm wrench or socket to keep the rod from turning. Might be tough to do in the car, but anything is possible. The nut is big, 19-20mm or something like that.

While it's in the car it might be easiest to get the wrench on the big nut and then turn the 10mm with a socket to tighten.

 

[Rav]

Hmmm...which side? We cranked both of those down pretty good, so I'm a bit surprised.

You need an open end wrench (or something) plus a 10mm wrench or socket to keep the rod from turning. Might be tough to do in the car, but anything is possible. The nut is big, 19-20mm or something like that.

While it's in the car it might be easiest to get the wrench on the big nut and then turn the 10mm with a socket to tighten.

It's definitely the left side. If I get onto the door sill and rock the car up and down you can feel the bolt rocking up and down. I hadn't thought about the rod turning. Not even sure if it is possible to do in the car, as the rod would just turn. The hole to access the bolt is probably just big enough for the socket.

I hate to think that the whole strut would have to come out.

Rav

 

[Off Road SHO]

Rav,

If you want to bring it by tomorrow I'll help you tighten it up.

Tom

 

[Rav]

Rav,

If you want to bring it by tomorrow I'll help you tighten it up.

Tom

Even finger tightening makes the clunk go away. I'd hate to take the whole strut out.

Tom thanks for the offer, but I have to work tomorrow.

I managed to borrow a deep socket and cranked on it a bit, until the rod in the strut started turning. I couldn't work out a way to stop the rod from turning. Wish we had put locktite on there now.

 

[Off Road SHO]

Rav,

Don't stop the rod, turn it with a wrench and keep the nut from turning. Just remember to do the lefty loosey on the shaft.

Tom

 

[Rav]

Rav,

Don't stop the rod, turn it with a wrench and keep the nut from turning. Just remember to do the lefty loosey on the shaft.

Tom

Now why didn't I think of that!! I'll try and get a budy to help after work. Otherwise I'll have to take you up on that offer sometime. I've left the parcel shelf accessible so that I don't have to be ripping it apart all the time and I can keep an eye on the nut.