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ZUKIWORLD Discussion Forum => Suzuki 4x4 Forum => Topic started by: Greddy0 on August 17, 2004, 09:38:10 AM

Title: contact in top front shock mount
Post by: Greddy0 on August 17, 2004, 09:38:10 AM: I was giving the newly acquired 95 sidekick 4x4 the once over and notice the top of both front shock mount has contacted the opening in the engine compartment!! Both side seem to of contact the inside towers. The right side has actually bent/rip the metal. How close are they suppose to be? It also flexes enought to contact when I push on the side of the car. Something bent? Doesn't seem like the shock mounts are loose, just flexes. Do they sell a strut tower bar for these cars? Is something damaged? ??? Maybe a hard landing? Thanks for any replies.
Title: Re: contact in top front shock mount
Post by: idaholwb on August 17, 2004, 10:04:16 AM: Look closely at the strut towers, you might have a crack near the base that is allowing the tower to flex that much. The only tower brace that I'm aware of for the trackicks, is the one for the 96-98 Sport 4 doors. I don't know if it will work on the non-Sport versions though. If it mounts anything like the GV bar mounts, it won't work without an adaptor of some kind.
Title: Re: contact in top front shock mount
Post by: HotRod on August 17, 2004, 02:32:18 PM: That what happens when you jump it too much ;D
Somebody has got to make a strut tower brace for these poor things ;)
Title: Re: contact in top front shock mount
Post by: Greddy0 on August 17, 2004, 04:39:33 PM: Well the strut mounts seem ok... no cracks on the metal. Ã‚Â Not sure why the shock tower is so close to the panel in the engine compartment. Ã‚Â It looks like the body is too close to the frame. Ã‚Â Is that possible? Ã‚Â Mounts for the body has compressed enough to have the strut tower contact the engine compartment.
(http://groups.msn.com/_Secure/0SgAMAzQWFFWjL8p2adc6B3re9QHcFJeY5Ca9JAT6bFRPfmU*4qFN2GMgCeRcY03GezlkOLWIz6bhq4Nravp7iATxp6Ii02g8F!dSiK!6b8DO2*JjS2VDZA/leftside.JPG?dc=4675485304200835146)
(http://groups.msn.com/_Secure/0RwAAAM4VEh3iSXy4lhyI!Z3G8WUkqe516KMfbA4LJ1L!CA7xhm!1Q7jAJzj5bmGCmGBsZ1omVxAHMgI913gB6ZNH8fWo0aqn8Nmf2BTJ5pg/rightside.JPG?dc=4675485304244527689)
Title: Re: contact in top front shock mount
Post by: steveofrost on August 17, 2004, 07:28:14 PM: EGAD! How does it drive? I see what you mean... looks like someone jumped it stock. That sucks. Hey are you a 4-door?

steveo
Title: Re: contact in top front shock mount
Post by: trackermad on August 18, 2004, 12:50:08 AM: Have you checked your body mounts yet? Maybe you have a couple rusted threw or broken.
Title: Re: contact in top front shock mount
Post by: JDMCRX on August 18, 2004, 02:56:53 AM: Yeah looks like u have some rust on the body mounts or the fender wells are rusted and the shits sagging.
Title: Re: contact in top front shock mount
Post by: Greddy0 on August 18, 2004, 04:21:47 AM: It drives like it needs an alignment. Sways alot. Its a 4 door 4x4. Not sure what is sagging ??? Body mounts look ok. Still has a gap between the body and frame thru-out. No signs of cracks on both strut towers. Is it possible that the tower bent back/upward without cracking? The cracks and rust in the engine opening is caused by the top of the strut tower pushing up at it. The front of the sidekick doesn't seem any lower the any other stock sidekick.

(http://groups.msn.com/_Secure/0UQDZAtsWoHvUoK3Py7xQMfLuoYcjBjOvQo5JH6dEY33PX19GinYd71pKvRYCXo9oRJaqHw9bgR*TsR0Fqd!*B!5h0PyeZeRLY4r6lOsuIQneoIm451a2HJ9Qmcg*LIAA/DSC00032%20(Small)0.JPG?dc=4675485368957922992)
Title: Re: contact in top front shock mount
Post by: Zukipilot on August 18, 2004, 04:48:08 AM: If you look from the front of the vehicle do your tires lean in like / \ :-/
Zig
Title: Re: contact in top front shock mount
Post by: Greddy0 on August 18, 2004, 05:17:39 PM: Front wheel camber looks ok. No / \ noticable. ??? Any other ideas? Anybody know any offroad shops in the SF BayArea that speciallizes in Suzuki's? Might also do a 3" lift at the same time if there is related parts that need to be changed. Think this project is worth it or is it going to be a money pit? Still not sure if the engine is any good. :-[
Title: Re: contact in top front shock mount
Post by: Zukipilot on August 19, 2004, 12:07:05 AM: These little 1.6L will run forever, so if it's running OK you should be good with the motor. The only thing I can think of on the strut tower is that it had been wrecked and the body shop did not fix the inner finder when repairing it :-/ I would get a shop to check the alignment and if it's OK, drive the wheels off the 4 door ;D If it is rubbing and making noise because of the contact, you could always do a body lift and get some space back between the body and strut tower.
Zig
Title: Re: contact in top front shock mount
Post by: Greddy0 on August 19, 2004, 03:03:04 PM: Pulled both front wheels off and didn't see any damage. Title is clean... not salvaged. Not sure how the strut tower could be bent... the bump stops should of took the blow before the shock fully compressed ??? Body and frame looks original (not transplanted). Are the strut tower suppose to flex a bit? Anybody elses tracker/sidekick have this flaw? Thanks all
Title: Re: contact in top front shock mount
Post by: 1bigtracker on August 19, 2004, 03:18:59 PM: i know Mike Hagen has bent some up close to the engine i think. dose your tracker feel like its been beat on or anything like that?

stu