Right Front Strut threads...stripped? Help?

[JVkouki]

[MODS, plz move this to suspension forum]

Ok, I just came back from the alignment shop. I asked them to not only align my car (since I just got my rack and pinion replaced) but to check what was causing my car to vibrate above 60mph+ and also the bump steers when I hit (ANY) bumps.

About a half hour later they ask me to come back to the garage and take a look at my Front Right strut. They showed me that when they push the wheel up, the strut moves up and down pretty freely. But the Front Left Strut, however, doesn't budge, and was in there good, meaning it was installed correctly.

Their theory was that since the top of the strut bolt wasn't screwed in "all the way" this has caused the strut to move freely up and down through bumps of daily driving thus causing the strut's threads to rub against the metal, thus stripping it's threads. Which means the nut couldn't thread all the way down, which means, I have to replace the whole strut.

I'm running on KYB AGX's with H&R Springs. I only drove on them for about a year and a half.I ended up not being able to align my car and had to drive home.

My question is, how can this happen (what other theories are there)? I installed the struts myself and I know everything was bolted down tightly.

Another question is, if I do get a brand new strut, and install it "correctly" will this happen again?? Sorry for the newbness... Help!
Modified by JVkouki at 1:20 AM 10/6/2009

[vancouverbc]

maybe your forgot the locking washert? i only did this once so no insight.

i think the torque was 14 lbs. i guess you could use lockite if the bolt is coming loose. ask in suspension forum. online mechanic has not been here for several years.

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[JVkouki]

Mods, can you please move this to the suspension forum (or 240sx tech) ?

AFAIK, I actually did have the washer and nut both screwed in on tight....Still wondering how can that strut magically become loose and free for the rubbing to lead to the stripping of the strut's threads

[vancouverbc]

the lock nut as illustrated below. it doesnt screw in. maybe you forgot it?

[JVkouki]

nope...that was in. Thats that same nut they pointed out today where they said it wouldnt screw all the way down because the threads on the strut were stripped near the bottom part of the threads .... but you said it doesn't screw in?

[vancouverbc]

Its like

nope...that was in. Thats that same nut they pointed out today where they said it wouldnt screw all the way down because the threads on the strut were stripped near the bottom part of the threads .... but you said it doesn't screw in?

Its like a washer. it just slips on. if the nut is not tight it might be loose.

[JVkouki]

thanks for all the input.

now that I think about it, is it even possible for the KYB's Strut's THREADS to be even stripped? Even if a nut is loose, can the strut rub against "something" for it to actually strip like that? I remember the guy saying that it looked stripped because the thread side was "flat", but I just remembered that KYB AGX's threads do have a flat thread side....



Could just be a loose bolt...maybe I dont have to buy another one....can someone confirm?

EDIT:: Those guys were morons. My strut was perfectly fine, trying to rip me off....Made my head spin . Checked it today....threads NOT stripped, it was just a loose top locking nut. Bolted back in tightly, all good to go. Thanks vancouverbc for the insight.
Modified by JVkouki at 8:19 PM 10/7/2009