Noisey Strut Tops

[Duk]

Ever since I've owned my AW11 MR2, it's had clunking strut tops (I replaced the shocks front and bake not long afta I got it, so it's not them).
It's been bearable, but anoying at time. Especially when giving it a spanking on a downhill roads
Now since I've put on a set of ST185 GT4 Grp A brakes , it gets real bad when braking moderately from highway speeds .

The big question is: Has anyone ever overhauled their strut tops?

For the record, it's not a problem with the steering rack, coz my wheel alignment guy can't feel any movement in it.

[Rodger]

Plonka, have a search as some of the other suggested causes will be found.

In the meantime ponder this question. When the new shock inserts were installed, did the large top retaining nut tighten up against the shock body? It could have been like this before too.

If you were able to screw the nut in all the way chances are there is a couple of mil freedom for the shock to move in the strut and this could cause the knock. Each time the shock compresses it hits the underside of the nut first and a "clunk" is heard.

To fix, a packing medium is needed at the bottom of the strut to pack up the shock.

Another cause could be the shock is packed up but the compression stroke is not long enough and the piston is hitting the bottom of the inside of the shock on big, big bumps.

Regards

Rodger

[Duk]

I did double check the nuts when I first put it back on the road after replacing the shock (it was years ago, now) and they aren't wound all the way down to the strut tube. Also I have attempted to re-tighten them after the car had been drivven incase the shock had some how settled into place/crushed the locating ring, after assembly.
I believe it's the strut tops because when you bounce the car, you can feel the pivot bearing move up and down.
All the bush's have been replaced, and wheel alignment guy never has any problems with doing an alignment (I've tried a few).