Technical Off center Mcpherson Strut

[skeeta]

Hey all (again)
Just picked up my Multi from the test center to see what I'd failed on this time. Was shocked to see that I'd been pulled up for worn anti roll bar bushes. I knew they were going (noisy enough) but had always believed they weren't part of the MoT testing procedure. I know you can't get them separately but being as I'm getting the ticket to sell the thing I shall not be buying a new bar either. I'll fabricate some of my own, split the casings and slide them in lol.
The other failure has me slightly stumped though. My Mcpherson strut is off center at the top where it protrudes into the engine bay. If you look down on it from above the top nut isnt in the center of the 3inch(ish) hole that the strut pokes through. It's sitting over towards the middle of the car. I've got to sort it for the MoT but not sure what to replace or adjust. Anyone got any idea's?

 

[rolo]

Hi Skeeta,
Mine sailed through the MOT a few weeks ago despite the front end sounding like i'ts going to drop off due to worn ARB's...I'm going to do them soon but cant see how they can be a safety issue.

 

[rolo]

Just remembered,when mine went in for the front spring recall the dealer phoned to say the top mounts were 'unsevicable'.Of course these were not included in the recall....Kerching!!...but I think they were a rubber bushed plate,could be yours is shot which is allowing the mounting to move.The pair were about £70 with no fitting charge as it was in bits anyway.

 

[skeeta]

Just remembered,when mine went in for the front spring recall the dealer phoned to say the top mounts were 'unsevicable'.Of course these were not included in the recall....Kerching!!...but I think they were a rubber bushed plate,could be yours is shot which is allowing the mounting to move.The pair were about £70 with no fitting charge as it was in bits anyway.

Thanks for that Rolo. Do you think it would have been possible to change those plates without removing the whole shocker if you'd had to?

 

[skeeta]

Hi Skeeta,
Mine sailed through the MOT a few weeks ago despite the front end sounding like i'ts going to drop off due to worn ARB's...I'm going to do them soon but cant see how they can be a safety issue.

https://www.fiatforum.com/multipla/150232-everyone-anti-roll-bar-worries.html

 

[skeeta]

Anyone know if it's possible to change these top mounts without having to totally remove the strut?

 

[brigbeale]

Going from past experience with other makes of cars' shock absorbers, then the answer is not really. Although it may be possible with a great deal of agro, it will be a lot easier to remove the shock absorber and secure it in a vice.
The top mounting centre nut is the one that holds the whole lot together and the spring needs to be compressed using the proper tools to release it. It doesn't bear thinking about to just release the centre nut without some form of control over the high pressure in the spring.
It may seem hastle to get the shocker off but working on will be easier.


Regarding the anti roll bar bushes, I took my anti roll bar off at the weekend and took the bush clamps apart with a chisel. They came apart easier than I expected. Trying to find suitable or near suitable bushes on a Saturday morning was impossible to I reverted to using PTFE tape wrapped around the roll bar.
The bushes themselves didn't look that worn - however the powder coating on the roll bar itself had worn through down to the bare metal. I simply wound enough tape on it to build it back up again plus a bit extra for insurance!!
When putting the clamps back together, file the burr off the captive nuts or the two halves will be a nightmare to squeeze together again. Hold in place temporarily with a large-medium size plastic tie or they'll come apart again as you put the roll bar back in the car. When you've got the bolts done up again, you can cut the ties off again.

It's nice driving the car without that damned knocking.

The search for suitable repalcements goes on.....

 

[aeroadster]

You probably don't want to hear this, but there's no way you can remove a top mount from the front strut without taking the whole strut assembly out.

As said previously, you need to clamp the strut securely in order to remove the top mount.

It shouldn't be that hard to remove the strut assembly though.

Hmm....on second thoughts....can you post a pic of this "off-centre" strut please?

Surely the top mount can't be in such a bad state that the strut has deflected by this much.

Since it's so close to the weekend, I'll check mine against your pic, if that's ok.

 

[skeeta]

I'll try and get a good picture tomorrow in the light. It'll be hard to get one from above as it's recessed under the bit of body behind the bonnet.

 

[Steely]

Just thought i would add, due to the nature of mcpherson struts the top mount of the strut will move give or take 1.5-2 inches from lock to lock on the steering... get the bonnet up and watch it whilst going from lock to lock (2 people needed sorry to state the obvious ) Stu was asking something like this at the RR day in feb as the top mount on his 100hp was off centre, dsown to the fact the steering was to the left!..

worht a try..

 

[skeeta]

HI there. Here's the pictures you asked for. The first one is of the off side for comparison but the other three are all of the "failure".
You can see how it's not in the center like the other one is but, after reading your post Steely, I did the wheel turn thing and yes, they do move quite a lot from lock to lock but I think they should both be centered when the wheels are.
See what you think
Thanks

 

[aeroadster]

This amount of deflection it's so bad (IMO) but it would depend on whether the car is parked on a roadside with a large degree of camber, or just an uneven surface.

Yes, having looked at mine, if yut have your wheels turned, they do move by a couple of mm or so. Worse if you're wheels are turned on an even surface.

Can you wobble the strut mount top by hard? Does it feel as if there's a lot of play (movement) in it?

 

[skeeta]

It doesn't look bad to me either aeroadster but I'm not the one with the MOT testing procedure in my hand :-(
Yes, if I grab the top of the strut I can get some movement out of it but it doesn't feel like play due to wear, it's more like I'm compressing the top rubber. I'm struggling to see why it is being held to one side when the rubber is trying to center it.

 

[Ffoxy]

It doesn't look bad to me either aeroadster but I'm not the one with the MOT testing procedure in my hand :-(
Yes, if I grab the top of the strut I can get some movement out of it but it doesn't feel like play due to wear, it's more like I'm compressing the top rubber. I'm struggling to see why it is being held to one side when the rubber is trying to center it.

Maybe some "other" lower suspension damage that is forcing the top mount off centre on one side?

 

[skeeta]

Mmmm, you may have a point there. Two years ago I hit a hole in the road on that side. It had been left by workmen and was a foot deep and square sided. It buckled my left front wheel and I claimed off the council for repairs. It's been ok ever since but now I wonder if the damage was more severe than at first sight and the whole damn area around that wheel arch was 'twisted' slightly. If thats the case I'm knackered. About the only thing I can see that may work is if the mounting holes for the strut have any play in them. I may be able to slacken all the bolts off and pull it back into line.
Or take it for another MoT elsewhere and hope they don't notice lol

 

[aeroadster]

You could ask a garage for their opinion on it.

Fiat always welcome you with open arms and will some basic diagnosis for no fee.

It's up to you to decide whether you want them to follow it up and do anything.