T3 upper hat system - am I missing something?

[HighLife]

Cant get to that squared off section once the strut tops are installed though - not without a special tool?

[oldcorollas]

rattle gun?

DON'T use vicegrips

[Viper]

Ah.. yeah.. thats right.. another reason I made that spacer

Ruttle gun i suppose is the only option.
Maybe grab the shaft with a rag and vice grips?
You dont want to scratch it.

Or even try and load it all up then hit it with the rattler.

[HighLife]

Was thinking rattle gun - will give it a go, cheers.

[oldcorollas]

Or even try and load it all up then hit it with the rattler.

good point.. if you have the spherical bearing getting loaded up, it won't want to turn (when driving also ) so should make it easier to do up.
but if the hat is free, then loading up will make no difference, cos there is no extra load on the shock...

[web]

Whoever assembles suspension components with a rattle gun should be shot, right?

Better square off the very TOP of the strut shaft so you can hold it with vice grips or spanner once the nut is on. Sacrificing some unused thread.

[HighLife]

The inserts have a two stepped threaded section at the top, as can be sen here:



Any idea what the narrower threaded section is for?

[oldcorollas]

put a couple of thin locknuts on it so you can tighten the main nut?

[The Real Roadrunner]

rattle gun?

DON'T use vicegrips

don't use a rattle gun unless you want to rebuild them 5 mins later (well if the inserts are adjustable anyway) as it can snap the adjuster shaft that leads to the valve in the bottom of the insert. if its a std insert they should be fine.

I actually do use vice grips or multi grips if there is no other way but the trick is to wrap the shaft with 2 layers of 5mm rubber before you clamp to them

cheers
linden

PS check if you can fit an allen key in the top of the shaft.

[web]

On the subject, is the T3 upper hat a "one size fits all" deal by the way?

T3 don't list camber plates for old celicas yet everyone seems to use them... so do T3 AE86 tops fit TA22 and RA23 towers w/o mods?

[WDE_BDY]

Web, you need to check the pattern of your factory strut tops. AE86 is the same as late KE70, there is also an earlier KE70 version. I'm sure it is on the forum here which ones interchange for the TA22 so have a search and see what you find. They may also make a specific early Celica one but not have it listed?

Callum

EDIT - try this link - http://www.toymods.net/forums/showthread.php?t=8405

[skiddz]

the ta22 strut top has an equilateral spaceing the measurement escapes me (100mm rings a bell)

[Viper]

On the subject, is the T3 upper hat a "one size fits all" deal by the way?

T3 don't list camber plates for old celicas yet everyone seems to use them... so do T3 AE86 tops fit TA22 and RA23 towers w/o mods?

He makes several different models

MA61, MX83, TA22, RA23's. AE86's, etc.
Just send him an email and he usually can sort it out.

[web]

ah right, so he sells more than is listed on his website... thanks

[HighLife]

FYI. I ended up using vice grips on the smaller threaded bit at the top of shaft to hold it steady whilst I tightened the nut.