Trouble in MacPherson Strut Land

...and I was on such a roll! The front end only needed the new springs and shocks to be complete, but it couldn't just all come together easily. Noooo. Actually, getting the old struts off the car is simple. Just don't lose the thin washer for the smaller bolt that mounts below the big bolt with the large spacer (see pictures). If this is the first time your shocks have been off and you still have the OEM oil filled ones, be prepared to demonstrate patience knocking the retaining ring around to get it off, and then get ready for some foul smelling oil to drip out. After I cleaned everything off and applied some rust inhibitor, I began to build up the new assembly with new springs and Gaz shocks from Rimmers. The springs are exactly the same size as the original ones, but the Gaz inserts are over an inch shorter than the OEM shocks at their full extension. I tried several different types of spring compressors, but could not get the springs small enough to mount the nut that holds the whole thing together. Experts at Bob's garage agreed that the shocks appeared to be too short for the springs. Additionally, the inserts did not fit snugly inside the struts, and even with the new retainer screwed down to the limit of the threads, they could slide up and down about an eighth of an inch. I emailed Rimmers, and they verified the part numbers were correct. They blamed British Leyland's lack of quality control for the inserts not fitting right and suggested a washer or two in the bottom of the strut to alleviate this problem. I finally took the whole collection of parts to Chets Wheel Alignment in Albuquerque and made it their problem. Although they got the springs mounted on the struts, They agreed that it doesn't look right. I put them on the car anyway, and, although it drives ok, any bump or pothole causes a clank from the front end. Help!!!

PS: Actually, the weekend wasn't all bad...my wife and I took the car out on a proving run down Historic Route 66. The engine purred and stayed cool, and as long as I did not hit any bumps, she actually drove well (I still need to install the new bushings/shocks/springs in the rear). At the start of our little drive, a rather beat up Japanese econo-box of yesteryear kept tailgaiting. We finally arrived at a stop light together and the occupant, fresh from a Walmart run from the looks of the shopping bags in the back seat, asked me, "Excuse me sir, is that a foreign car?" "Why, yes ma'am it is...they don't make them like this here," was my amused response. She nodded sagely and drove away waving. We laughed for quite awhile. Then, when we stopped by the mailbox on the way home, a gentleman pulled up next to us and said he hadn't seen a Stag for years, and so we met another neighbor, Jim, who has a TR-4, TR-4A and TR-6. Cue "It's a small world after all..."

Getting the old retainer off requires some finesse

Old over new, new is MUCH shorter

happened to have the right size wrench-thingy to instal the new retainers

pieces parts



fully assembled, with about 2/3 of total spring available

in the car

Don't lose the little spacer washer (top left)

 

little spacer washer on lower bolt