Strut assembly question
#1
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Strut assembly question
I moved this question over from the suspension forum due to lack of browsers there. I know the 1st gen guys will come through.
My new (slightly used) Tokico Blue strut cartridge is a little longer than the OEM part it's replacing (1984). Does that sound right? Well, it is. So the problem is that the large nut that holds the cartridge in won't seat well enough to get the threads started.
Looking at the seal inside that large nut, it seems that if I could get the top of the new cartridge into the groove in the seal, it would work. However, the fit is too tight to allow that to happen. Perhaps if I put the seal on the cartridge first, but I can't get the seal out of the nut. Is there a secret to this? Do I need to purchase new seals and just rip out (destroy) the old ones? Or can I get them out in one piece and reuse them?
Also, the factory service manual mentions using a "pilot" to put this nut on. I assume this is a special tool, used to guide or center things as they go together. However, the parts guy at my local Mazda dealership has not been helpful. Allright, he was downright rude. Is this "pilot" really needed, and if so where can I get one? Or am I misinterpreting the term?
Gotta be someone out there that can solve this problem. If so, thanks in advance.
My new (slightly used) Tokico Blue strut cartridge is a little longer than the OEM part it's replacing (1984). Does that sound right? Well, it is. So the problem is that the large nut that holds the cartridge in won't seat well enough to get the threads started.
Looking at the seal inside that large nut, it seems that if I could get the top of the new cartridge into the groove in the seal, it would work. However, the fit is too tight to allow that to happen. Perhaps if I put the seal on the cartridge first, but I can't get the seal out of the nut. Is there a secret to this? Do I need to purchase new seals and just rip out (destroy) the old ones? Or can I get them out in one piece and reuse them?
Also, the factory service manual mentions using a "pilot" to put this nut on. I assume this is a special tool, used to guide or center things as they go together. However, the parts guy at my local Mazda dealership has not been helpful. Allright, he was downright rude. Is this "pilot" really needed, and if so where can I get one? Or am I misinterpreting the term?
Gotta be someone out there that can solve this problem. If so, thanks in advance.
#3
84SE-EGI helpy-helperton
IIRC, when I installed a set of Tokico Blues on my 1980LS, I came into the same problem that you're experience, which is that the threaded 'locknut' (for lack of a better term) does not thread all the way down flush with the top of the strut housing. The net result is that the threads can be seen at the top of the strut housing. On my 80, that didn't affect the threaded locknut's ability to hold the strut cartridge in place fully.
I assume that you added the proper, pre-measured amount of motor oil to the strut housing before placing the shock strut into position, as the strut cartridge is supposed to be submerged in a bath of oil to aid in heat transfer. If you added too much oil to the housing, you may be compressing the oil in the bottom of the housing which will prevent proper seating of the strut cartridge in the housing, i.e., not allowing the cartridge to drop far enough to start threading the locknut.
Normally, what would happen is that the oil will overflow the housing and you'll make a mess, but the cartridge will still seat properly.
Also, recheck the part numbers on the Tokico Blues that you purchased, as I know that they list a different part number for the fronts on my 84SE than the 80LS, this is likely due to different housing lengths related to spring tension higher and height being lower on the 84SE - if you find that the part number is different, you just need to get the right cartridges for the job - no other way around that.
BTW, rear shocks are interchangeable between all 1st Gen cars. HTH,
I assume that you added the proper, pre-measured amount of motor oil to the strut housing before placing the shock strut into position, as the strut cartridge is supposed to be submerged in a bath of oil to aid in heat transfer. If you added too much oil to the housing, you may be compressing the oil in the bottom of the housing which will prevent proper seating of the strut cartridge in the housing, i.e., not allowing the cartridge to drop far enough to start threading the locknut.
Normally, what would happen is that the oil will overflow the housing and you'll make a mess, but the cartridge will still seat properly.
Also, recheck the part numbers on the Tokico Blues that you purchased, as I know that they list a different part number for the fronts on my 84SE than the 80LS, this is likely due to different housing lengths related to spring tension higher and height being lower on the 84SE - if you find that the part number is different, you just need to get the right cartridges for the job - no other way around that.
BTW, rear shocks are interchangeable between all 1st Gen cars. HTH,
#5
Full Member
Fill it until it starts to overflowl. Rather then make a big mess, I slowly added the oil after fully inserting the strut into the housing. Then tighten the large nut to hold it in place. From what I've read, you can use any type of oil as long as its lightweight. I was going to use some 5w-30 I had laying around, but I used ATF fluid instead because it was thinner.
#7
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how much oil and what weight do you add to the strut assembly?
I came into the same problem that you're experience, which is that the threaded 'locknut' (for lack of a better term) does not thread all the way down flush with the top of the strut housing
they list a different part number for the fronts on my 84SE than the 80LS
Anybody else have any ideas?
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#8
Airflow is my life
You didnt leave anything down in the bottom of the housing did you? Maybe an old spacer? And does the tokico come with its own nut? or do you reuse the stock nut? I cant remember now, getting older sux big time!
#10
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I got mine used as well, and did not receive a nut. Am attempting to use the factory nut. Am going nuts!
Has anyone bought new Tokicos and received anything besides the cartridge in the package?
I'll look in the tube for a wayward spacer.
Has anyone bought new Tokicos and received anything besides the cartridge in the package?
I'll look in the tube for a wayward spacer.
#12
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my tokico's have a nut + a set of spacers + some instructions ... I'll try and dig them out as they're still unfitted (damn weather ... its snowing today!)