ZUKIWORLD Online | Suzuki 4x4 Editorial and Forum
ZUKIWORLD Discussion Forum => Suzuki 4x4 Forum => Topic started by: mahimahimo on April 17, 2005, 05:45:26 PM
-
any one have any tips/ instructions on doin a strut mount flip?
-mo
-
go to the car domaine wedsite on the bottom of my post there r some pictures.
(http://memimage.cardomain.net/member_images/1/web/769000-769999/769479_30.jpg)
(http://memimage.cardomain.net/member_images/1/web/769000-769999/769479_31.jpg)
-
Flipping the front upper strut mount gives the front suspension approximately 1" more droop at the expense of 1" up travel. It allows for better suspension action with coil spring spacers or taller coil springs. Instead of flipping the mount, you could also make your own upper strut mount spacer to lower it in relation to the strut tower. Whatever you prefer.
While you have the upper strut nut(and large indexed washer) removed, the frame supported by a jackstand and the a-arm supported by a jack, remove the three nuts holding the strut mount to the strut tower. These can be reached through the engine compartment.
Remove the mount from the vehicle.
Using a large socket and a hammer, drive the three studs out of the mount. You can also drill them out if you prefer.
Now Per side you need 3 bolts, 1.5" long and 7mm threading(or whatever size SAE you have that fits), grade 8 or stainless preferred. You also need a stack of washers or three 3/8" thick round spacers.
Now you bolt the strut mount back in place, upside down with the washers or the spacers between the mount and the tower. The washers or spacers are to keep the mount's curved edge from crushing flat as you tighten the bolts.
From bottom up the order is: bolt, washer, strut mount(pointing down), stack of washers or spacer, strut tower, washer, nut. You can add another nut to lock it in place or even use lock washers under the nuts. Tighten securely.
Jack up the a-arm far enough to slide the strut shaft through the mount, replace the large indexed washer and nut. Tighten securely. That's it.
-
Flipping the front upper strut mount gives the front suspension approximately 1" more droop at the expense of 1" up travel.
If you take the spring off and lift the wishbone up against the bump stop you will find that there is still 2" of travel left in the strut. You don't loose any upward travel at all by flipping the mount. 2" strut spacers give max. articulation with the stock strut.
-
That's good to know. I was just copying what I had read somewhere else...
-
So how much does flipping the strut mount drop the strut? ???
-
About 3/4". The whole thing is about is 1" thick but the mounting is offset.
-
But you don't absolutely need to do a strut mount flip if you install coil spacers, right?
-
But you don't absolutely need to do a strut mount flip if you install coil spacers, right?
I think you need to do something. With a 2" spring lift and no strut spacers my car was very scary. The front suspension had hardly any downward travel left and it would lift front wheels even at modest cornering speeds. The ride was terrible and off road it was rubbish too  :'(. With the spacers it was great all round  ;D The kit came with longer shocks so i had no problems at the rear.
-
I think you need to do something. With a 2" spring lift and no strut spacers my car was very scary. The front suspension had hardly any downward travel left and it would lift front wheels even at modest cornering speeds. The ride was terrible and off road it was rubbish too :'(. With the spacers it was great all round ;D The kit came with longer shocks so i had no problems at the rear.
Yah, if you space the front springs, and don't flip the strut mount, you've made a bad situation worse.
Less travel overall, stiffer ride.
UGH.
-
would love to put my spacers in the only problem is i cant get the f'ing lower bolt off the rear shocks ...very pi$$ed!!!!!!!!!! any tips?
-
would love to put my spacers in the only problem is i cant get the f'ing lower bolt off the rear shocks ...very pi$$ed!!!!!!!!!! any tips?
Torch,
Recipricating Saw,
Hack Saw,
Breaker bar,
(undo the top bolt)
~Nate
-
undo the top bolt, put in spacers, reattach top bolt.
put some penetrating oil (or lotsa salt) on the lower bolt regularly. You'll get it free someday :)
-
>:(i tried undoin the top bolt but every time i would turn it the whole top part of the shock would spin >:( >:(............... i soaked it wit penetraiteing oil ... what would salt do to it ...wouldnt it rust it solid? thanx
-mo
-
I had the same problem. I bought new bolts, cut the old bolts off with a Sawzall and was done in 15 minutes.
-
thas what i awas thinken bout what size are the bolts and all the specs on em? thanx
-mo
-
thas what i awas thinken bout what size are the bolts and all the specs on em? thanx
             -mo
Sorry, I don't remember. I went to a local bolt supply store and used their bolt gauge right there in the parking lot to get the size. If you have one local they should be able to help you. Get grade 8 bolts.
-
ahhhh crap...no bolt shopsround here ...any one knows the size id appreciate it .... u think it would tell u in chiltons?
-mo
-
Where are you going to buy the bolts? Most auto part stores and hardware stores have a bolt gauge or caliper they'll let you use if you ask.
-
After you cut it out, take it with you, and match it up
-
Lower shock bolts are 1/2" or 13mm
The upper bolts on the strut mount are 5/16"
I used fine thread grade 5 or 8 should be fine
-
thanx wild i apreciate it ... im gonna do it this weekend if i get a chance...
-mo
-
Does anybody know what i should do if i want to run 31 / 11.5 super swampers on a 90 sidekick 2dr??? i built a 2.5 inch body lift and was thinking about going with the 2" coil spacers but dont know what to do with the front struts.. ????? any body know what kinda struts would work good?? how about in the rear??? how do i space the strut mount and how much should i with the 2" spacer??
-
if i put in the 2" coil spacer how much do i need to space the strut mount??? is just flipping it good enuf??
-
any one have any tips/ instructions on doin a strut mount flip?
-mo
Anyone know if i put the 2" coil spacer what should i do with the front strut's???
-
flipping the mount allows you to use the stock struts. the amount of spacer you use depends on how much drop you are comfortable with(cv angles).
i only made 1/2" spacers, but could have gone mabe 1"?.
i recently made a run and am quite pleased, but i crawl.
i have 31x10.5's on 7"rims. i think you'd have to do more beating and cutting than i did to run anything bigger.
try it. make it work. think |removethispart|@ improvements as you go.
-
if i went with a 2" spacer how scetchy would it be?? i only want to fit a 31/11.5R15 super swamper and i have a 2.5" body lift do i even need the 2" spacer or will a 1.5 be good enuf to clear the tires with out cutting?? if i do have to cut any body know what to do for fender flares???
-
Fire and lots of it. A low oxy tourch and an impct gun works wonders. Make friends with that neighbor who's air compressor keeps you up at night. Over a 6 pack and a strut flip you might become good buddies.
If you want to replace the rear shocks (a good idea by the way) just grab ahold of the dust sheild with a large set of channle lock pliers.I think Crown Vic shocks work well and give a couple more inches of flex to the rear, but do a search for the year. NMc
-
wicked thanks for the ifo you guys :D im really looking forward to pulling this lift off i think i might have found a strut spacer kind of thing it looks like a body lift block that goes ontop of the front struts does anybody know about these :: it looks easy to build....
-
A quick piece of advice required here.
I have 1.25" coil spacers installed back and front & just installed 31s tires, the space between the body and the wheels at the back is larger than the front, I need a slight lift in the front to even that out and i thought of flipping the strut mounts.
How would that reflect on the lift (approx how many inches )/ handling?
-
flipping the strut mounts will not give you more lift. it will lower the "bottom out" of the strut after putting in the pucks.
did you put same size pucks front/back? i would expect greater lift in front due to the spring/a-arm arrangement.
after i had 1 1/2" pucks in front, and before flipping the mounts, the struts were almost fully extended at static load.
the front wheels would only drop about 1" when jacked up.
have you been modifying the wells?
are you keeping the swaybar?
-
Rascott,
I do have the same puck all around. I didn't modify the wells & keeping the sway bar (All Stock).
-
Rascott,
I do have the same puck all around. I didn't modify the wells & keeping the sway bar (All Stock).
it seems to me that the same size puck in the front should have lifted the front more than the back(my experience).
do you still have some "down" room on the struts if you jack it up?
-
Yes,
What I am thinking of is installing bigger spacers (Pucks) in the front. what do you think ? they only thing that worrying me is to mess with the CVs and the handling as well. Everything now seems ok except the spacing between the front tires and the bumpers vs the spacing between the rear tires and the bumpers.
-
i have about 1 3/4" puck/spacers in front here.....
(http://i301.photobucket.com/albums/nn56/rascott_2008/PA160002.jpg)
not the best pic., but the cv angles at this height don't seem to be a problem- i have run a few seasons like this.
this is my strut mount- flipped and spaced.
(http://i301.photobucket.com/albums/nn56/rascott_2008/P9180045-1.jpg)
any suspension work can change how it feels on the road, and how it may react in high speed maneuvers.
mine is not a dd driver.
i have a body lift also. i've made more room in front with a hammer and some cutting. my 31's still rub a little now and then.
i removed the swaybar to de-link the a-arms. more body roll, but works better on the trail.