R50 Strut questions

[theexbrit]

Hi all, I tried fitting the NX4 1" spacers to my 1996 which already has the AC 2" lift but it made the wheels have about 5-6 degrees positive camber! It was undrivable as there was only about 3" of the outside edge of each tire on the road. Supposedly the struts can only go on one way as the top bracket has 3 bolts that are spaced at different intervals, but when I look at the top of each strut thru the fender well it just doesn't look right. Surely the angle of the bracket would be the same on each side but just a mirror image?

 

For example, there is a varying gap between the isolator bracket & the top spring cap, this gives the angle that is needed to ensure the strut is straight even though the mount point on the fender is at an angle. Well, shouldn't the smallest part of the gap (or the larger) be positioned in the same spot on both struts just a mirror image of each other? Not sure if I'm explaining this correctly but here's a couple of pics...........

 

Passenger side

 

Driver side

 

It seems like the passenger side strut has a slight angle while the driver side is straight, also the top bracket is in different positions on either side. Under the hood the "R" & the "L"are in their correct positions but it just doesn't look right. Am I missing something or is it possible to put the struts on wrong?

[devonianwalk]

Uhmm ... where's the NX4 strut spacers?

 

 

*edit .. Assuming that you removed the spacers before these two photos, did you make sure to install them with the maple leaf (on the "made in Canada" sticker) facing "up"?

Edited July 8, 2012 by devonianwalk

[theexbrit]

Sorry, I should have said this is after I removed the spacers. I'm pretty sure they were upright when I fitted them but that's a good point. I didn't know they had a certain alignment, they looked pretty much even all over.

[theexbrit]

I checked the struts on a 99 & they are definitely mounted different to mine. If you run your finger around the gap between the top of the upper spring cup & the bottom of the isolator, the smallest gap on the 99 Pathy was at the back of the wheel well facing the engine on both sides. On mine it's facing the rear of the car on both sides.

[fleurys]

I think I see the issue... On your first picture, we can see the notch on the round plate that is facing almost towards the engine... If I remember good , you have to align this notch with the R (for Right side) (for the passenger) on the top plate (note sure where it is).... This will make the notch face towards the tire I believe... I need to find a picture here somewhere...

Edited July 10, 2012 by fleurys

[fleurys]

here's the picture showing the letters (r or l) on the top plate

 

I could not find a picture showing the upper plate aligned with the notch of the top spring plate.... :-(

[theexbrit]

I think youre right & that's the problem, I had the struts fitted at a shop near my work & I don't think they aligned the marks you're talking about.

I think i know what you mean but I wish I could find a picture of the alignment you're talking about. I've been shoving my fingers under the top plate of every R50 I've seen & nearly been arrested because people think I'm trying to steal their struts or something!!

Every one I've checked is different to mine, they all have the marks that you're talking about in the correct position.

Edited July 10, 2012 by theexbrit

[theexbrit]

Finally figured it out. The strut mounts on the body have a slight downwards angle towards the engine & also a slight down angle towards the rear of the car. My struts were put back with the top isolator angles all wrong & that's what was pushing the camber to the extreme. The angles on the isolator must match the angles on the mount & mine weren't. Hope I explained that correctly & it makes sense to everyone. I'll try to take some photos to show what I mean.

[devonianwalk]

Glad you figured it out!

[theexbrit]

It's so obvious I don't know why I didn't catch on before. I was thinking there was only one way for the strut to go on but if that's the case then why have marks that you need to line up? I'm not driving the truck until I get my new brackets, bearings, etc, don't want to risk damaging the struts or any other component..

[theexbrit]

Ok, so I removed the struts again today & the upper spring holder notch was facing the front of the car on the passenger side strut, so obviously that's not right as Fleurys said it's supposed to line up with the "R" on the top isolator bracket. Can anyone tell me how to line up all these "R"s & "L"s with the notches in the spring holder & what should be facing where?

 

Thanks all.