Author Topic: Lateral movement - strut bearing (Read 4020 times)

Luckypabst · « **on:** April 20, 2008, 06:23:06 pm »

Maybe this is Macpherson strut 101 but to quote Joe Dirt "I'm new!". Bentley doesn't really cover troubleshooting so I need an e-consensus to put my mind at ease.

Inspecting the front brakes today on my '81 Caddy, I was jerking things around to check for loose bits in anything and got a little clunk on the right side. I traced it to a slight lateral movement between the strut shaft and the bearing, maybe less than .050" but audible and visible for sure.

Struts are new (PO did it - not sure on the age but they aren't encased in carbonite or anything) so I'd assume the bearings are new or passed as OK. Beginning just yesterday I noticed a rough sound under braking - pads on the right are about .100" thick but otherwise OK. No other issues, um the truck pulls right and the steering wheel is maybe 5 degrees off to the left when tracking straight - I figure it needs an alignment. Oh yea, the wheel on this side is bent and repaired (not sure if this is the corner that it got bent on, however).

Could it be something simple as a loose nut on the shaft? Or will this require a new bearing? I'm ordering a full brake kit tomorrow and can slide these in on the order too.

Thanks
Chris

neimis · « **Reply #1 on:** April 21, 2008, 01:34:15 am »

I had a clunk that mechanics could not diagnose. It ended up being a worn spring cap. The hole where the strut shaft passes through was worn into an oval, thus producing movement and "slop" in the whole strut assembly, not to mention lousy wheel alignment.

I finally discovered the cause when I disassembled the strut myself, then it was obvious. It can be a pain, but sometimes that's what it takes - disassembly and an inspection of the parts.

Good luck and let us know how it goes...

Vincent Waldon · « **Reply #2 on:** April 21, 2008, 07:55:49 am »

Very likely the strut bearing itself... it's subject to a lot of pressure, dirt, and moisture and eventually wears... allowing lateral play.

They are dirt cheap and generally get tired rubber as well, so I'd be inclined to slide a few in your next order... worst case you replace 'em a couple miles ahead of time ! I've never pulled one off that didn't actually need replacing while I was in there.

The previous poster is correct imho... disassembly will tell the story.

Luckypabst · « **Reply #3 on:** April 21, 2008, 03:39:05 pm »

Thanks guys - I went ahead and ordered a pair of them and the "real German" special cutaway socket.

Whatever it takes to buy more tools...

Chris

Vincent Waldon · « **Reply #4 on:** April 21, 2008, 03:40:59 pm »

Then I won't tell you that a 21mm or 22mm socket with flats ground in it works well... like you, I'm all in when it comes to buying Special Tool #xxx !