Dobinsons Strut Install - need help

[Drewfus_'13Limited]

I'm not sure that I installed my front Dobinsons struts correctly.

When I received them, the top cushion/washer setup was not the same as what was on the strut I removed (X-REAS if that matters).

The Dobinsons had:
nut
washer
cushion
washer
cushion
washer
strut

The OE strut had:
nut
washer
cushion
washer
strut

I tried to get the Dobinsons in with all of the new hardware, but I couldn't get enough of the stud up through the mount to secure the nut, so I removed the extra cushion and washer so that the setup matched the OE parts.

I've finished the install and driven it. I don't notice any issues, but I'm thinking it's wrong.

Also, it's not siting as high in the front as I thought it would. These were supposed to raise the front by 0.85", but I didn't see any lift. The extra cushion/washer won't add up to a full 0.85", but it won't hurt.

What is the correct way here? Thanks

 

[Terrapod]

I'm not sure that I installed my front Dobinsons struts correctly.

When I received them, the top cushion/washer setup was not the same as what was on the strut I removed (X-REAS if that matters).

The Dobinsons had:
nut
washer
cushion
washer
cushion
washer
strut

The OE strut had:
nut
washer
cushion
washer
strut

I tried to get the Dobinsons in with all of the new hardware, but I couldn't get enough of the stud up through the mount to secure the nut, so I removed the extra cushion and washer so that the setup matched the OE parts.

I've finished the install and driven it. I don't notice any issues, but I'm thinking it's wrong.

Also, it's not siting as high in the front as I thought it would. These were supposed to raise the front by 0.85", but I didn't see any lift. The extra cushion/washer won't add up to a full 0.85", but it won't hurt.

What is the correct way here? Thanks

Just went through the exact same thing. If you are reusing the stock spring hat, there only needs to be one rubber bushing on each side of the shaft. Just use the one that is to be located on the top with the stock spring hat.

Curious - what spring compressor did you use?

C

 

[Drewfus_'13Limited]

I am using the stock spring hat. I used the new rubber bushing on the top, along with the metal washer and nut. I did not use a rubber bushing below the spring hat though. Sounds like I need to take it all apart today.

I tried to get a spring compressor in there, but I couldn't make it fit. I went with the method of getting them out without a compressor, where you remove the bolts out of the LCA and sway bar bushing and push down on the LCA. It's tough work getting it in and out, but it's possible.

 

[Drewfus_'13Limited]

I just tried again to put it together with a rubber cushion on both sides of the top hat, and jacking up on the LCA, there isn't enough of the shaft to get the top bolt threaded. I also put the metal washer back on, so it's just like it came shipped to me.

I'm missing something here.

 

[Drewfus_'13Limited]

I emailed Mike, and he figured it out. Turns out that the original rubber bushing was stuck to the bottom of the spring hat, and I didn't notice. I removed it and reinstalled per Mike's diagram. This is basically the same way that I had them installed, but I added the other metal washer and used the new bushing.

 

[DHwreckage]

Thank you for going tthrough this, I got new kyb strut covers and they glues the bottom bushing in so I thought it was just part of the assembly. After reading this I'll now beable to put these damn things together.

 

[DHwreckage]

Thank you for going through this, I got new kyb strut covers and they glued the bottom bushing in so I thought it was just part of the assembly. After reading this I'll now beable to put these damn things together without going crazy!

 

[a_hartman]

Long shot, any chance if you remember there being a spacer before the first washer on the shaft? Do you remember the sequence of the washers and bushings? I bought the KYB top hats and for the life of me cannot get enough threads to show.