Tokico/Intrax Install Question

[djsSHO]

Ok started assembling my rear struts/springs and i've run into a possible problem. when the strut nut is fully tightened, there is still about a 1/2" gap between the spring and the mount on top. Is this normal or am I missing something?

Also there was a washer included with my kyb boots, and I was wondering what side of the boot it's supposed to go on since it's starting to slide down the strut rod.

Sorry for the image sizes, I haven't reinstalled photoshop yet.

 

[shojuan]

I don't know if that gap is typical with intrax but it will close up when the struts are installed and the car is lowered.

 

[92sho16]

mine are the same way. im assuming thats the back by the look of the mount. If you cut a dead coil on the fronts they will be twice as bad as the rear. In my case any way.

 

[djsSHO]

Hmmm...ok.

I'm just used to having to use a spring compressor to get mounts back onto spring/strut assemblies at work, so just dropping the strut mount on and tightening the bolt kinda scared me.

That was the rear btw. and I reinstalled the boot with the washer properly now so the boot doesn't start sinking.

The fronts required some force on the spring to get the nut on, so I could see if you cut one out where it would do the same thing.

Thanks for the replies!

 

[FAST4DR]

My rear Intrax springs were touching at the top, but loose. I could turn the spring with my hand against the rubber. I have the Koni's so maybe the rod is shorter than the Tokico's. I cut my front Intrax springs one coil and they still touched at the top, but were loose also. Haven't had any problems yet. I check them once in a while and they haven't turned or anything.

Will

 

[Dave Kegel]

Yes, this is normal for the rear Intrax springs. Eibachs are not like that, although you do not need a spring compressor for the rear Eibachs either.

As for the washer, it would make sense to place it inside the boot to keep the boot from sliding down the shaft. Alas, I don't think it fits in there, so I put it on the top of the boot. I have not found any aftermarket boots (bellows?) that work as well as the OEM version.

Dave Kegel

 

[djsSHO]

Yeah I put it inside the boot, but when you tighten the strut nut down it just ends up popping back through the boot, so I guess it's gonna stay the way it is. I couldn't reuse the old boots as they had all but disintegrated on the stockers after 117k miles. They had cracked just about everywhere.

When you install the struts do you have to disconnect the strut rod from the knuckle or can you just pry down on the rear control arms and remove the old strut assy. and install the new?