Strut top replacement

Dollywobbler · Post by **Dollywobbler** » Sun Oct 16, 2011 12:46 pm

Apologies to Mat for forgetting everything he told me the other week about this. It was during the Anglesey road trip and my mind was exhausted!

I need to replace the strut top on the RH side of the BX as I reckon its the source of some terrifying free play. I've seen the strut top moving around considerably during jacking. So, how easy is it to change? I also have a wishbone with fresh bushes, but I know that'll be a bigger job (including the dreaded ARB links!) so it may have to wait if the strut top cures the main issue.

Post by **Tim Leech** » Sun Oct 16, 2011 12:54 pm

I have some tops if you need some Ian, got a spare pair somewhere.

Dollywobbler · Post by **Dollywobbler** » Sun Oct 16, 2011 1:13 pm

Thanks. Mat has actually supplied me with a pair, so I'm ok there.

sdelasal · Post by **sdelasal** » Sun Oct 16, 2011 1:27 pm

what is it that wears then in the strut top? a rubber bush? I didn't realize there was any movement intended there.

citsncycles · Post by **citsncycles** » Sun Oct 16, 2011 6:05 pm

There is some movement there due to changing geometry when turning or going over bumps. Get someone to turn the steering wheel while you look under the bonnet and you'll see what I mean.

rmattila · Post by **rmattila** » Sun Oct 16, 2011 7:29 pm

http://www.rmattila.com/images/remontit ... ppa_avaus/

That's how it looks on the inside.

citronut · Post by **citronut** » Sun Oct 16, 2011 8:20 pm

rmattila wrote:http://www.rmattila.com/images/remontit ... ppa_avaus/

That's how it looks on the inside.

rmattila

i think Dollywobbler is refering to the the top mounting/sphere mounting,

not the strut itself,

if you get someone to crank the steering from lock to lock with the wheels on the ground, you will see the strut top and sphere moveing about,
this is perfectly normal

regards malcolm

Dollywobbler · Post by **Dollywobbler** » Sun Oct 16, 2011 9:59 pm

Thanks Malcolm. I found it moved a LOT when just lowering the car from axle stands (I did do it rather quickly...). When the car dropped into the brake tester for the MOT, I could see the wheel was not entirely located properly - it moved backwards far more than I expected! It doesn't feel entirely stable when cornering (hence why I haven't driven it lately) and while I know the suspension arm bushes are probably shot, I wasn't sure they were entirely to blame.

Mileage is 229k.

Post by **docchevron** » Mon Oct 17, 2011 12:37 am

in essence changing the strut top mount isn't hard..

just crack the 35MM (or is it 36MM?) top nut.
place jack (s) under the subframe, set height lever to low.

jack up car.
Remove road wheel and pull the plastic bellow up over the lower part of the strut (it's only held in place with a little plastic ring on the strut.)
undo and remove the top nut.
GENTLY tap the strut piston down (I use the handle end of a hammer) until it drops away past the seals in the sphere mount.
Undo the 3 13MM nuts on the mount. The whole mount is now free of the car, so remove from inside the wheelarch, the plastic bellow will come with it. As Haynes says, refitting is a reversal of removal pretty much.
The only slight ballache can be shoving the piston back up through the sphere mount. Although if you push the piston up through the mount then hold it with your by now well LHM'd hand you can always push the sphere mount down over the piston enough to get a few turns on the top nut.

Post by **mat_fenwick** » Mon Oct 17, 2011 12:57 am

To add to that slightly, you may need to hold the strut itself from turning while you undo the 35/6mm top nut. It has a 5 or 6mm allen key hex in the top for this purpose.

citronut · Post by **citronut** » Mon Oct 17, 2011 8:22 am

i spoz now BX's are getting that much older things like strut tops might start failling,

i have not seen one fail as yet so i think you would be better off sortting the are bush's first,

i feel you will more than likely find that will fix the handling feel,

regards malcolm

Dollywobbler · Post by **Dollywobbler** » Mon Oct 17, 2011 10:46 am

Thanks folks. I might nip down to the local(ish) garage to see if they can help pinpoint where the play is. I may have a very long way to drive soon, but I don't want to do it in this car until I'm sure it's ok.

Post by **docchevron** » Tue Oct 18, 2011 1:08 am

citronut wrote:i spoz now BX's are getting that much older things like strut tops might start failling,

i have not seen one fail as yet so i think you would be better off sortting the are bush's first,

I have, several. I replaced ALL of the fleets a few years back, and even then they were £90 a pop. NLA now though..