How to Compress Strut Mount Kit?

Topic: How to Compress Strut Mount Kit? (Read 1097 times) previous topic - next topic

How to Compress Strut Mount Kit?

January 04, 2013, 04:13:25 PM

Vehicle: 1988 Cougar XR7, stock struts

I'm installing new (stock) KYB struts up front and ordered the optional "strut mount kit". It's basically new mounting plates, rubber bumpers and washers that must be sandwiched together and placed over the strut rod to be secured by the center nut.

My question is, how do you compress this mess together to get the center nut started?

How to Compress Strut Mount Kit?

Reply #1 – January 07, 2013, 02:00:27 PM

Can you post a part number?

Darren

How to Compress Strut Mount Kit?

Reply #2 – January 07, 2013, 07:20:32 PM

I jack it up and put it on stands. Then I just put the jack under the lower control arm and compress it a little. Take the big nut off the top and the two bolt/nuts off the bottom. Let the jack down SLOWLY until the pressure is off the strut and you can get it out. Don't let the control arm down too far or the spring can pop out. Mark the position of the old mount and take it out (optionally you can just leave the big nut on and take the mount and strut out together). When you put the new stuff back in, I find it easier to put the mount in, and just spin the bolts in a few turns so it flops around. Put the strut bumper and washers on the strut shaft. Then put the strut rod up through the mount. The strut isn't that strong, you can just compress it up into position by hand if needed. Put the bottom bolts in. Try to get the mount bolted back in the position where the old one was. Put the big nut on the top, and you are done. The hardest part of the job is getting the big nut off the top.

How to Compress Strut Mount Kit?

Reply #3 – January 07, 2013, 09:46:38 PM

If i read you correctly here is what you need and they are a SNAP TO INSTALL. tHEY ARE TOTALLY ADJUSTIBLE AND WILL OUT PERFORM ANY STRUT PLATE FOR OUR CARS bar none. We use these exclusively on every car we get in the shop for suspension work. Even old lady daily drivers. THEY WORK. JUST A THOUGHT

How to Compress Strut Mount Kit?

Reply #4 – January 08, 2013, 05:23:38 AM

You have a part # or name on that Tom? I happen to be in the process of upgrading the front suspension and I could use a pair of these.

How to Compress Strut Mount Kit?

Reply #5 – January 08, 2013, 02:25:14 PM

Tom...ditto on the part number for the cc plate, although I don't know if I want to sink $200+ for the part.

As for my original issue...Thanks to all for the inputs. The issue is not removing/installing the struts but how to assemble and install the Moog "strut mount kit" ( Part #K8640). I could not compress all the pieces into a sandwich thin enough to expose any part of the threads from the center rod of the strut to start the center nut (yes, I had them in the correct order). Here's a picture of the "kit":

My final soultion? I'm recycling the original single-piece Ford strut mounting plate and sending the Moogs back to Rock Auto. To be honest the original stock mounting plates are a much heavier grade of metal than the Moog and I don't like how the multiple Moog pieces assemble like a shish-ka-bob. The single-piece Ford plate weighed more than the combined weight of the Moog components and I'm satisfied with their condition to provide more years of service.

How to Compress Strut Mount Kit?

Reply #6 – January 08, 2013, 10:57:03 PM

Go here:

http://www.maximummotorsports.com/store/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=514_2_77&products_id=258

Get a better deal here:

http://www.chicane23.com

I know its a shameless plug but tell John I sent you and hopefully he will give you enough of a discount to cover shipping. If he ships to another state other than Texas there is usually no tax.

Darren

How to Compress Strut Mount Kit?

Reply #7 – January 08, 2013, 11:32:26 PM

Great sites! Thanks Darren.