stevenmurray

<center><img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/37382/top857412355a.jpg"></center><p>Is this the $150 blue strut bearing? Part# in ETKA seems to be 857 412 323B but this has part # 857 412 355 A moulded into the rubber.
This part looks Ok to me, no cracks. Link is photo of the other side.

steve<ul><li><a href="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/37382/bottom857412355a.jpg">http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/37382/bottom857412355a.jpg</a</li></ul>

stevenmurray

<center><img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/37382/lookinup.jpg"></center><p>I shot this photo, looking up into the strut tower. Look at all that blue color.

Is there something stuck up there that I have to pull out ?

Katman

Isn't That's just the strut tower, with what's left over from the top, on top? Can't tell if the strut top is baked from that.

Or can we? What's the cause of the rust, and the shiny 'rub' in the middle of the rust?

Your top spring perch hasn't collapsed has it, letting the spring rub on the body?? (BTDT. I wondered what the 'sproing' noise was, when I was turning sharp corners!)

Or possibly, the strut top rubber collapsed some, letting the top of the strut rub the body?

Or.. Could something have been rubbing, because of the strut being bent? It looks like a pretty 'gentle' rub, so maybe not a big deal. But when you have everything apart would be the time to sort it out..!

stevenmurray

<center><img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/37382/oldcalifstrut.1.jpg"></center><p>
Yes in the tower hole I did leave #26 from 4 11 36-00 lying loose on the strut tower. That part has a rubber outer lip which is split and also lying over the hole.
Gee - I hadn't paid much attention to the rust spot or shinny spot.
Here is the strut photos.
I ordered 2 strut bearings from sjmtech.
Bring my struts to Carlisle to have the pros inspect the parts/bearings/shock and maybe have it back in the car by next tuesday.
thanks you.

Katman

I didn't see a pic of your old strut. At least, not of what I wanted to see. :-)

Anyway, just look at the top of your old strut, in the area of anything that would have caused what looks like rubbing on the body in that picture.

It'll be quite apparent where whatever was causing it, as it shold have some rubbing marks on it too, I'd think?

All things being equal, I'd replace the strut top bearing 'just because' it's easy when you have the strut out, and it sounds like you have some time to research the topic. If you've got the time, it would be a good chance to clean up and paint the replacement strut too!

stevenmurray

<center><img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/37382/upperspringseatscratchabove.jpg"></center><p>I'll have to chaulk it up to a shot strut bushing. I'm finally figuring out that that steel collar in the picture, which I stuck a white 'peanut' to, - is the inner half of the strut bushing.

My suspension makes tons of noise - I was thinking it's because 75% of the F sway bar bushings are gone.

steve

Mr.Fun

no, because it is not a bearing. this is a rubber mount.

Katman

My upper perch, in the area of your rubbing had actually started to crack, resulting in similar to what you have, only worse. Seems the (newer?) 4k spring perches are a bit different, but 'look' to be stronger. Whatever, but it was all I had handy to replace with!

On my urq (with blue bushings), the bearing came apart from the bushing too. Not *all* bad, as it lets you get that sloted collar (in the center of the bearing) that holds the spring perch off easier.

How 'crusty' is that bearing, when you give it a spin? Hard to visualize that bearing carrying 1/2 the front weight of the car!


While you are in there, may as well replace that slotted collar too! Looks a bit chewedup, it does! (Cheap ~3.00 from a WorldPac dealer)

See if you can get the proper tool for unding/doing that collar too. I just made a tool (two 'nubs' that grab the slots) by grinding down the end of a deep 9/16" socket. WAY better than messing with needlenose vicegrips, or hammering with a screwdriver.

*Some* of your suspension noise may have been from the strut top hitting. My suspension didn't make much noise because my strut top hit, but did make steering 'interesting' sometimes, as the spring fought back attempts to make sharp turns..!