Need Help With Rear Struts

[Josh]

OK, I posted this in the suspension section and got no help, and am now on my 4th day of riding like this. I don't know if it can be bad for the car, but it sure as hell doesn't sound good.

I recently installed my Sportline springs and KYB struts, and in the rear there is a gap between the top nut and the washer (in the trunk, where they come through). It made a horrible knocking noise when I first drove it, so I looked and there is that gap, but the struts came with no bushing or spacer to put in there. Tonight we put in a peice of rubber that made it 10x better, but there still is that noise, not to mention it being half-assed. So, I'm asking is there a bushing kit or something out there? Have any of you had this problem?

Any help would be appreciated.Thanks

[Repo Man]

Josh, moved you down to the mechanic's section. Hopefully you'll get the answers you need here. I have not personally had such a problem, but you may just need to improve your improvisation. It sounds like you're on the right track.

[DAEDALUS]

You're saying that there's a gap after you've tightened down the nut as far as it will go? (Ran out of threads). The system relies on the mechanical fastening and pre-load of the nut...a piece of rubber sort of defeats the purpose of getting a few hundred pounds of pre-load on the stud. You would be better off with steel washers taking up the gap, though the real question is why there's a gap to begin with. Is it cause the new parts don't have the same dimensions of the stock parts?

[Josh]

Yes, there is a gap after the nut is as tightened as it will go. It did run out of threads, I have no idea why this has happened (which is why I asked if anyone else has had this problem), but I did realize that rubber we used was not the way to go, for the knocking has come back. So, today I bought a hard rubber bushing from NAPA and got quite a few washers from work. We put the bushing and washers on the right side (didn't take enough washers, will get more tomorrow) and once again seems to be better. I will look for a metal bushing tomorow at work, but considering we aren't a car shop makes it hard to find fitting things.

I will post how I make out tomorrow, and if anyone has anymore ideas please post them.

[Josh]

Allright, I found some bushings from ZT mower parts at work and got more washers, so now there is no rubber, and all metal. So far, the noise is completely gone, so I can finally ride in peace. No knock. Let's hope it lasts. Thanks for the help, well the no rubber advice at least.