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strut mount flip

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Offline mahimahimo

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strut mount flip
« on: April 17, 2005, 05:45:26 PM »
any one have any tips/ instructions on doin a strut mount flip?

                                    -mo

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Offline tracker8wr

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Re: strut mount flip
« Reply #1 on: April 18, 2005, 05:28:36 AM »
go to the car domaine wedsite on the bottom of my post there r some pictures.

« Last Edit: April 18, 2005, 05:31:48 AM by tracker8wr »
4 1/2 body
Coil spacers
cheap but effective
31" LTB Swampers
http://www.geocities.com/race8thwonder01/ http://www.cardomain.com/memberpage/769479

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Offline Digger

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Re: strut mount flip
« Reply #2 on: April 19, 2005, 12:11:29 AM »
Flipping the front upper strut mount gives the front suspension approximately 1" more droop at the expense of 1" up travel. It allows for better suspension action with coil spring spacers or taller coil springs. Instead of flipping the mount, you could also make your own upper strut mount spacer to lower it in relation to the strut tower. Whatever you prefer.

While you have the upper strut nut(and large indexed washer) removed, the frame supported by a jackstand and the a-arm supported by a jack, remove the three nuts holding the strut mount to the strut tower. These can be reached through the engine compartment.
Remove the mount from the vehicle.
Using a large socket and a hammer, drive the three studs out of the mount. You can also drill them out if you prefer.
Now Per side you need 3 bolts, 1.5" long and 7mm threading(or whatever size SAE you have that fits), grade 8 or stainless preferred. You also need a stack of washers or three 3/8" thick round spacers.
Now you bolt the strut mount back in place, upside down with the washers or the spacers between the mount and the tower. The washers or spacers are to keep the mount's curved edge from crushing flat as you tighten the bolts.
From bottom up the order is: bolt, washer, strut mount(pointing down), stack of washers or spacer, strut tower, washer, nut. You can add another nut to lock it in place or even use lock washers under the nuts. Tighten securely.
Jack up the a-arm far enough to slide the strut shaft through the mount, replace the large indexed washer and nut. Tighten securely.  That's it.
Had a cool sig pic till I changed the text... sigh...
90 Tracker: "Silver", 2" BL, 1-1/2" Coil Spacers, Strut mount flip, Calmini Header, Winch, 31" Swamper radials, Sold.
98 Suzuki X-90: Calmini 2" Sus, 1-1/4" whl spcrs, 2" Exhaust, Cobra Safari Bar, Neon, Sold.
96 Suzuki X-90: Mostly stock daily driver(for now)

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Offline Rhinoman

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Re: strut mount flip
« Reply #3 on: April 19, 2005, 09:31:08 AM »
Quote
Flipping the front upper strut mount gives the front suspension approximately 1" more droop at the expense of 1" up travel.


If you take the spring off and lift the wishbone up against the bump stop you will find that there is still 2" of travel left in the strut. You don't loose any upward travel at all by flipping the mount. 2" strut spacers give max. articulation with the stock strut.
2000 Vitara 1.6, 3+3 Lift, 33"MTs, 5:83s, LWB brakes, Winch, Snorkel, Safari Rack
1986 SJ413K PickUp, 1.6L conversion.

OBD1 - Full diagnostics on a PC/Laptop: http://www.rhinopower.org

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Offline Digger

  • 1991
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  • 1996 Suzuki X-90 4X4
Re: strut mount flip
« Reply #4 on: April 19, 2005, 03:08:55 PM »
That's good to know. I was just copying what I had read somewhere else...
Had a cool sig pic till I changed the text... sigh...
90 Tracker: "Silver", 2" BL, 1-1/2" Coil Spacers, Strut mount flip, Calmini Header, Winch, 31" Swamper radials, Sold.
98 Suzuki X-90: Calmini 2" Sus, 1-1/4" whl spcrs, 2" Exhaust, Cobra Safari Bar, Neon, Sold.
96 Suzuki X-90: Mostly stock daily driver(for now)

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Offline Rollerskate

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Re: strut mount flip
« Reply #5 on: April 20, 2005, 03:50:01 AM »
So how much does flipping the strut mount drop the strut?   ???
I never asked for nothing and thats all I got.

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Offline Rhinoman

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Re: strut mount flip
« Reply #6 on: April 20, 2005, 06:02:13 AM »
About 3/4". The whole thing is about is 1" thick but the mounting is offset.
2000 Vitara 1.6, 3+3 Lift, 33"MTs, 5:83s, LWB brakes, Winch, Snorkel, Safari Rack
1986 SJ413K PickUp, 1.6L conversion.

OBD1 - Full diagnostics on a PC/Laptop: http://www.rhinopower.org

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Offline adamd

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Re: strut mount flip
« Reply #7 on: April 20, 2005, 07:39:32 AM »
But you don't absolutely need to do a strut mount flip if you install coil spacers, right?
'98 kick
3" B/l
30" Mud Kings

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Offline Rhinoman

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Re: strut mount flip
« Reply #8 on: April 20, 2005, 09:12:11 AM »
Quote
But you don't absolutely need to do a strut mount flip if you install coil spacers, right?



I think you need to do something. With a 2" spring lift and no strut spacers my car was very scary. The front suspension had hardly any downward travel left and it would lift front wheels even at modest cornering speeds. The ride was terrible and off road it was rubbish too  :'(. With the spacers it was great all round  ;D The kit came with longer shocks so i had no problems at the rear.
« Last Edit: April 20, 2005, 09:14:23 AM by Rhinoman »
2000 Vitara 1.6, 3+3 Lift, 33"MTs, 5:83s, LWB brakes, Winch, Snorkel, Safari Rack
1986 SJ413K PickUp, 1.6L conversion.

OBD1 - Full diagnostics on a PC/Laptop: http://www.rhinopower.org

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Offline Natebert

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Re: strut mount flip
« Reply #9 on: April 20, 2005, 09:41:52 AM »
Quote



I think you need to do something. With a 2" spring lift and no strut spacers my car was very scary. The front suspension had hardly any downward travel left and it would lift front wheels even at modest cornering speeds. The ride was terrible and off road it was rubbish too  :'(. With the spacers it was great all round  ;D The kit came with longer shocks so i had no problems at the rear.


Yah, if you space the front springs, and don't flip the strut mount, you've made a bad situation worse.

Less travel overall, stiffer ride.
UGH.

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Offline mahimahimo

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Re: strut mount flip
« Reply #10 on: April 20, 2005, 11:04:42 AM »
would love to put my spacers in the only problem is i cant get the f'ing lower bolt off the rear shocks ...very pi$$ed!!!!!!!!!! any tips?

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Offline Natebert

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Re: strut mount flip
« Reply #11 on: April 20, 2005, 11:18:59 AM »
Quote
would love to put my spacers in the only problem is i cant get the f'ing lower bolt off the rear shocks ...very pi$$ed!!!!!!!!!! any tips?



Torch,
Recipricating Saw,
Hack Saw,
Breaker bar,

(undo the top bolt)

~Nate

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Offline SnoFalls

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Re: strut mount flip
« Reply #12 on: April 20, 2005, 11:39:36 AM »
undo the top bolt, put in spacers, reattach top bolt.

put some penetrating oil (or lotsa salt) on the lower bolt regularly. You'll get it free someday :)
I don't suffer from insanity, I enjoy it.

Buy-it, Build-it, Beat-it, Part-it

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Offline mahimahimo

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Re: strut mount flip
« Reply #13 on: April 20, 2005, 11:56:44 AM »
 >:(i tried undoin the top bolt but every time i would turn it the whole top part of the shock would spin >:( >:(............... i soaked it wit penetraiteing oil ... what would salt do to it ...wouldnt it rust it solid? thanx

                               -mo

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Offline TN_Tracker

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Re: strut mount flip
« Reply #14 on: April 20, 2005, 12:35:09 PM »
I had the same problem. I bought new bolts, cut the old bolts off with a Sawzall and was done in 15 minutes.

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