front strut bearings

[rickisrad]

I have a bad front strutmount/ bearing. Does anyone have the exact way to reassemble the after market Monroe bearing? When I took apart the factory mount it came apart and I do not know how it went back together. I put it together how I thought it should go and obviously it is wrong because I am having problems with it after a few months. Any help appreciated. I have Monroe struts and mounts. Also can I get the spring seats aftermaket or are they dealer only? Thanks

[BNaylor]

The Monroe upper strut mount and load bearing should be similar to the OEM GM. You have the top strut to tower plate, the load bearing, the upper coil spring cushion and the lower coil spring cushion.

Are you getting noise or what problem are you having?

[rickisrad]

yes when I turn the steering wheel there is a knocking/creaking noise. I had my wife turn the wheel while I checked it while it was lifted/jacked. The bearing plate is kind of seperating and the noise is coming from the plate. I replaced the struts and mounts a year ago then found the springs at Murrays so I had a friend at a repair facility put those on( it was worth 100 dollars to save time and aggrevation) well a month after it was done I noticed the noise . I origanally put the plates on and he just put the coil springs on. So I think it was either a mistake I made putting them on originally or a bad bearing plate. Thanks for any help

[BNaylor]

Yep, thats typical. The noise is very annoying. I would remove the strut assembly in question and inspect the load bearing disassembled. When you installed it did you coat it thoroughly with some form of silicone grease? I found out that by doing this it helps out. Hopefully, the new load bearing is not damaged or worn prematurely. It is really hard to go wrong installing the upper strut mount, the load bearing and bushing. It all falls into place and it will only mount a certain way to the strut tower. Good luck and let us know how it turns out.

[rickisrad]

The only thing that confuses me is that when you buy the aftermarket strut plates there are multiple applications. Some of the parts may not be used. I am going to work on it tonight if I can get the spring compressor tool. Thanks for the help I will keep you updated on what the problem was. OHHHH and no I did not use grease but I will this time!!!

[rickisrad]

Originally Posted by rickisrad

yes when I turn the steering wheel there is a knocking/creaking noise. I had my wife turn the wheel while I checked it while it was lifted/jacked. The bearing plate is kind of seperating and the noise is coming from the plate. I replaced the struts and mounts a year ago then found the springs at Murrays so I had a friend at a repair facility put those on( it was worth 100 dollars to save time and aggrevation) well a month after it was done I noticed the noise . I origanally put the plates on and he just put the coil springs on. So I think it was either a mistake I made putting them on originally or a bad bearing plate. Thanks for any help

I took off the strut last night and noticed that the coil spring was kind of off set. The coil spring seat or isolator whatever it is called is all mangled and the coil is not set on it. I also noticed that when I turn the wheel I hear a spring popping sound, I think that is being caused by the seat being messed up. Does the Seat/Isolator have a major impact on the performance? Is that what may be causing my problems???????? I originally thought that maybe the springs were installed wrong (somehow switched front and rear) but I called the TRW tech line and they comfirmed that the variable rate coils do go on front.

[rickisrad]

Help??????????

[BNaylor]

Originally Posted by rickisrad

Help??????????

I would replace the damaged parts. You might consider using OEM parts. I never liked Monroe struts or their mounting hardware. A lot of GP owners had problems with them after installation.

[rickisrad]

I may have to do that. I just hate to buy all that stuff over again. Everything is newer.

[BNaylor]

Originally Posted by rickisrad

I may have to do that. I just hate to buy all that stuff over again. Everything is newer.

Hopefully you can minimize cost. As you mentioned the Monroe struts and mounts are just too generic. BTW - I found that old post on Monroe struts. It may help to review it. Good luck!

http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbul...ghlight=monroe

[rickisrad]

Well I can not get Murrays to refund the cost of the struts and Mounts but they will exchange them due to the lifetime warranty. So I guess that I will try and sell the new ones off and buy some KYBs to help offset the cost.

ARE TRW COIL SPRINGS OK TO USE WITH THE KYB STRUTS. I bought the TRW coil spring and do not want to exchange those because they were special order. Has anyone had any experience with the TRW Coil springs any feedback welcomed?????? Thanks for the help!!!!!!

[rickisrad]

Murrays are exchanging them for the KYB's.....I just have to pay the difference!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! About time I get some closure.............. Now I have to deal with this stupid Windstar

[rickisrad]

How does the DOORMAN Bearings/mounts fit with the KYB struts???? I am trying to save $40 per mount by using the doorman bearing/mount instead of the KYB.... Help!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[BNaylor]

Originally Posted by rickisrad

How does the DOORMAN Bearings/mounts fit with the KYB struts???? I am trying to save $40 per mount by using the doorman bearing/mount instead of the KYB.... Help!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I really don't know. I used the OEM upper strut mount/load bearing. Do you have a link to where we can review them?

[rickisrad]

I decided to stick with all KYB. instead of mixing and matching. I was looking for the doorman links and seen a lot of it is being dicontinued...... so I did not think that was a good sign. I will keep you updated on how the KYBs fit I plan on installing them this weekend. THANKS FOR THE HELP EVERYONE!!!!!!!!