Damned Strut Mounts...

[will_c]

Hello all, I am new to 6S, but very familiar with Saturns. Some of you might know me from TSN.

Anyway, I have a recurring problem with my strut mounts. I have an 02 SC2, Sprint FST, 1.8 progress springs, progress rear sway bar, poly bushings and currently gabriel strut mounts up front.

Here is the problem. When turning the wheel, I can hear a "clunk, clunk, clunk..." If I have someone spin the wheel and I can see the spring pop, which is where this clunking is coming from. Its like the strut mount doesn't turn smoothly with the strut and spring. The spring will twist and bind and then "pop" back into correct position as I turn the wheel.

The last time this happened, it was on the drivers side. So I replaced the KYB mounts on both sides with Gabriel mounts. Problem fixed. For about 10,000 miles. Now I have the same problem on my passenger side, making the third issue I have had with strut mounts on this car. I ran the same struts, springs, and mounts on my 96 SL2, never had a problem.

So WTF? Anyone have similar issues? Anyone have any suggestions? Could the lowered suspension and cut in half bumps stops be contributing to the early demise of my strut mounts? I really hate paying for another alignment, not to mention another strut mount.

Thanks in advance for any and all help...

-Will

[TheMU47]

had a car (at stock height) in the shop today with the same problem. I changed the upper strut mount and it was fine....I don't think lowereing has anything to do with it. When they go, they randomly go. Time to change it again.
you're changing the whole upper mount assembly, right? bearings and all?

[getz999]

bleck mine is doing the exact same thing

i said eff it KYBs are on teh way anyway

[will_c]

had a car (at stock height) in the shop today with the same problem. I changed the upper strut mount and it was fine....I don't think lowereing has anything to do with it. When they go, they randomly go. Time to change it again.
you're changing the whole upper mount assembly, right? bearings and all?

yeah, bearings and all. well, not the rubber piece that goes between the mount and the spring. They looked fine, but I might go ahead and replace them too.

I just don't get why they keep fucking up. This is going to be my 3rd mount swap. It just pisses me off. Maybe I'll go with the Monroe mounts this time. The Gabriels and the KYBs looked identical, maybe they are the same and both suck...

[sl2racer]

just spray the rubber thing between the mount and the spring with some sylicone(sp?) and reuse it. the strut mount is ready to be replaced.

just out of curiosity do you still have the bump stops in the struts? they were in the plastic shield back when you had stock suspension.

[will_c]

just spray the rubber thing between the mount and the spring with some sylicone(sp?) and reuse it. the strut mount is ready to be replaced.

just out of curiosity do you still have the bump stops in the struts? they were in the plastic shield back when you had stock suspension.

yes the bumpstops are in there, they are just trimmed in half.

sigh... looks like its a new mount and another fucking alignment for me...

[SupraCharged007]

if you are having problem I would try out a pair of stockers. I've had mine on there for about a year with ST Struts and Sprint Extremes and I've never had a problem.

[will_c]

Well I looked on saturnparts.com for some stockers, and found something interesting. The have different mounts for 96-99 and 99-02.

Anyone know what the difference is, besides the $9 in price? Rockauto lists the same part number and price for both 2nd and 3rd gens. Strange. Perhaps thats why they keep fucking up...

[SupraCharged007]

i dont believe there is a difference

[will_c]

yeah, i just talked to the stealership here in town and they said they are the same. strange...

[will_c]

Anyone know if the strut mount from saturnparts.com comes with the boot for the strut and the rubber spring isolator thingy? The exploded view presents it as such, but it would be nice to know for sure. I sent an inquiry to saturnparts.com, but haven't heard back yet...

linky to diagram...

[Nyce]

Anyone know if the strut mount from saturnparts.com comes with the boot for the strut and the rubber spring isolator thingy? The exploded view presents it as such, but it would be nice to know for sure. I sent an inquiry to saturnparts.com, but haven't heard back yet...

[url=http://www.trademotion.com/partlocator/index.cfm?action=getLocator&siteid=214300&chapter= DP8V00&appSectionid=19&groupid=20135&subgroupid=61 803&componentid=0&make=31&model=Sc%20series&year=2 002&graphicID=V0P060&callout=6&catalogid=1]]

Yes it will...good place to order from too...

[SupraCharged007]

yea it comes with all that. I think it even includes the bump stop if im not mistaken

[will_c]

great. thanks guys. time to order...

[will_c]

Well, I ordered new mounts for the front, and new struts too since they are pretty cheap.

I am still waiting on the struts to get here but now I am confused.

The mount no longer makes the bad sounds. I was getting pretty annoyed by the constant clunk-clunk-clunk, so I sprayed some white lithium grease up in between the rubber spring isolator and the mount, trying to get to the bearing. At first it just made the sound even worse, and then the next day, magic. No more bad sounds.

That makes me wonder, was the mount shot or did it just need a little lube?