johnm Posted January 3, 2010 Share Posted January 3, 2010 (edited) So about 7-10 days ago, I started hearing a squeak sound from the front passenger side of my pathy. I knew the front bearings were worn, so I figured that was it. I had them replaced yesterday, but still have the squeak and hit a pothole on the way home and heard a loud thump from the suspension. I went to look at it this afternoon. I was thinking I'd check the strut mount bolts first (why not start at the top, right?). First thing I see is that the strut rod nut is loose and not tight against the upper strut mount. Not only is it loose but the threads on the strut rod end like 1" above the strut mount. The strut mount isn't cracked or deformed. It's like the strut rod lifted up, or pushed through the strut mount bearing. Is that even possible, that the mount bearing broke? Or did the shop put in the wrong strut? Any ideas or help would be appreciated. Edited January 3, 2010 by johnm Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shift220 Posted January 3, 2010 Share Posted January 3, 2010 You mean to say that the strut rod threads extend 1" above the nut? My KYB's extend maybe 1/4", but I suppose it depends on the manufacturer. Either way, the nut should be snug against the mount and not move. I would guess something was installed wrong and they bottomed out the nut on the shaft thinking it was tight. I would get it looked at ASAP. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnm Posted January 3, 2010 Author Share Posted January 3, 2010 You mean to say that the strut rod threads extend 1" above the nut? No, there is an inch of space between the nut (threaded on as far as it will go) and the strut mount. Yea, I gotta get it looked at ASAP. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GoPathyGo Posted January 4, 2010 Share Posted January 4, 2010 No, there is an inch of space between the nut (threaded on as far as it will go) and the strut mount. Yea, I gotta get it looked at ASAP. Uh yeah... If the rod end nut is not flush and tight, hundreds of pounds of pressure could be released... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnm Posted January 5, 2010 Author Share Posted January 5, 2010 (edited) So yeah, it's helpful if the correct struts and strut mounts are installed in the first place. UGH, sometimes buying used cars sux. Edit: OK so it's a couple hours later and I'm less mad. This is the story. When I bought the pathy, they put new struts in it. But apparently didn't put new strut mounts in. The front pass. side mount was busted, so I had them both replaced. When I turned in the truck at the shop this morning, I asked them to check and make sure the struts were the right parts for that model/year. The front drivers side was the wrong strut. When I looked a the strut mounts they installed (nissan OEM ones) they were different than the ones that had been there, so I'm guessing the wrong strut mounts were on it in the first place. Obviously I don't know for sure what the old mounts were or why they were on the truck in the first place. If I cared enough I would have asked for the part numbers and looked it up, but some things you just gotta let go, ya know? It just makes me mad when stuff is done half-assed. Edited January 5, 2010 by johnm Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Precise1 Posted January 8, 2010 Share Posted January 8, 2010 It just makes me mad when stuff is done half-assed. Especially because I doubt they charged you the 1/2 assed price, they charged you the full blown 'we did it right' price. Could you imagine picking up your car, "Well Johnny here kinda 1/2 assed the job so it probably wont last like it should so we are only charging you the 1/2 assed price. We quoted you $800 to do it right but it's only $480 now..." At least you got it dealt with before it caused real damage and/or an accident. B Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnm Posted January 8, 2010 Author Share Posted January 8, 2010 Especially because I doubt they charged you the 1/2 assed price, they charged you the full blown 'we did it right' price. Could you imagine picking up your car, "Well Johnny here kinda 1/2 assed the job so it probably wont last like it should so we are only charging you the 1/2 assed price. We quoted you $800 to do it right but it's only $480 now..." At least you got it dealt with before it caused real damage and/or an accident. B HA, if only mechanics were that honest. Which is why I like to do my own work, at least then I know it's done right. But my job doesn't afford me the time to do the work myself anymore. It does pay the money to have it done though, so I shouldn't complain too much. And you're right, at least it's fixed before an accident. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
180sx Posted January 9, 2010 Share Posted January 9, 2010 Can I borrow a dollar? Jose Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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