strut tops

[David Marriner]

Hi All,

just wondering what others have done with the strut tops when upgrading the suspension? Spoke to the guys at drummond today and they seemed to think that most of the cars were running the noltec adjustable strut tops but at $400/pr just wondering what the other options are? I have recently had to take out my rear shocks (DMS) and it was just using a modified version of the original but im not sure if its the best way to go.

cheers,

Dave

[HMCA]

Dave

We just use the standard strut tops

Cheers Mick

[ae86trueno]

Yeah we just left the standard ones in on our DMS as well,

Ben.

[Whitey]

I'm running Noltec adjustables, they give you good adjustment of caster/camber but the sperical bearings need to be replaced periodically.

[Andrei]

I'm running Noltec adjustables, they give you good adjustment of caster/camber but the sperical bearings need to be replaced periodically.

Is it because of their quality?
I have one back to Noltec right now - it developed a freeplay of more than 1mm in the top bearing after just 3 rallies, and this is in the hands of gentle novice driver. Andrew Nolan however mentioned that out of 800+ they sold only about 7 required replacement. (Unless these 7 are all from Excel series cars :) )

[Whitey]

For rally use i would be treating them as consumable & replacing them often, when the play gets to about 1mm as you suggest.
I had one fail and bind up after a big hit last year. Forcing the strut shaft to turn in the shock.

[fro]

Interesting to hear so many using standard strut tops... So does everyone just run standard camber and castor then? How much camber and castor can you dial into the front end of a standard Excel?

[ernysp76]

I run standard tops with Pedders Coils, Pedders make a camber kit which fits into the top bolt hole of the strut mount to axle. The cars has completed 10 rallies and there is not evidence of any wear or movement in the parts. The suspension is stripped down and inspected after every rally. The strut top mounts are reinforced and stitch welded.

[ae86trueno]

Yep I think Caster adjustment is not an option with Standard Strut tops,
To change Camber we just use the adjustable camber washers that came with the DMS suspension.

Ben.

[David Marriner]

Just specifically talking about the rear struts now (haven't looked at the fronts yet) the original hyundai struts have a flat machined into the shaft that fits into the strut top to stop the shaft turning. On my car the top has been drilled out to fit the round dms shaft with the result being that it is difficult to undo the top nut as the shaft just spins, is this the same issue for everyone using the standard tops?

cheers,

David

[HMCA]

David

Yep mine is the same, We have a Snapon cordless rattle gun that does the job everytime with no probs.

Snapon- more torque then a VW V10 Diesel Towrag

Cheers Mick

[matt mead]

hey mick, how much do those cordless rattle guns cost???

[HMCA]

Lots!!!!!!

[Whitey]

Pedders make a camber kit which fits into the top bolt hole of the strut mount to axle. The cars has completed 10 rallies and there is not evidence of any wear or movement in the parts.

That's interesting as i was warned off eccentric bolts as the were supposed to be weak and prone to failure.

[matt mead]

Lots!!!!!!


agreed, just had a look on the snap on website $900 :eek:

[ae86trueno]

I will soon be purchasing a Dewalt DW059 looks the go, and about $300 cheaper !!

[ae86trueno]

Sorry, digging up an old thread,
I am getting Stewart Wilkins to make up some solid alloy rear strut tops. After a year with the car, i think they are to soft and not allowing the suspension to do its work properly. They are a couple of hundred more then the Noltec ones but i am assured the bearings are of better qualty then the Noltec.
Send me a PM if your interested.

Ben.

[Retrorally]

Why not get the standard ones heat treated?
Marty