Rear Strut shaft sticking out above strut tower. Help!

[Gladius]

OK i was installing my KYB's and Ground Control springs. Come to find out that g.c. sent the wrong rear perches. So I have to use the rear springs until i get the correct ones.

Now I intalled everything and took her for a test drive. As i was driving i hear a loud banging/clunking noise coming from right rear strut tower. I get home and check it out. The strut "rod" that is inbetween the two mounting bolts on top of the strut tower is sticking up higher than the mounting bolts. Usually the rod and bolts are about level. I'm thinking the pillow ball mount is shot and/or something is not holding the strut rod in its correct position. Can anyone help me? Pics to come in the morning.

*Unrelated note* - When i have my headlights on and hit the brakes, the rear tail lights go off instead of brightening, but the top third brake light comes on. weird. Any ideas? I'm thinking a short somewhere.

[themadscientist]

so we have KYB struts with OE top spring perches? Pull the strut, the only way it could do what you describe is if it passed completely through the upper spring mount on the strut. Is there a missing shim or something?

On the taillights check to see if the bulbs in them are the correct two stage ones. Someone may have put single stage bulbs in there for some goofy reason, running from cops mod.

[Gladius]

There might be a shim missing.. but im not sure what it looks like. On the left rear where its working perfect, there seems to be another part around the shaft below the spring mount.

And I'll check the bulbs, it sounds like good "probable cause". LoL stoopid cop joke.