Will they fit or be useless

[ORCoaster]

Does anyone know if the McPherson strut cartridges that go inside a 1976 Rabbit will work in an 1981?  I have the 81 and have the nut that goes inside the casing.  I think the two are the same but just checking as there were some changes made about the early 80's.  Did they affect the front suspension in any way?

 

[8v-of-fury]

Is the casing not the only inner/outter specific piece?

[CRSMP5]

honestly... inner nut inserts fit both.. needs a shim/spacer for external...

so look at the shock... if it flares out its for external... if it tapers in its for internal...

for as easy to change housings.. you gotta look at it to see if its still got internal nuts that stock it had..

[ORCoaster]

Does this link help?

http://salem.craigslist.org/pts/3753326625.html

Zoom to the pictures of the upper ends.  Seems like they are smaller diameter than the body.  Thus for internal nuts correct?

Hoping they fit as mine are needing replacement.  Bottom out with the slightest hole or bump.

AND NO I am not considering these:

http://salem.craigslist.org/pts/3855713318.html

[CRSMP5]

they do not swell out.. so yea id say both... till you try in internal housing i cannot confirm.. but by hip shot.. id gamble..

[ORCoaster]

And that is really what this is now isn't it.  A Gamble,  so the question is am I feeling Lottery Lucky?  Why not at least I have a place to potentially sell them to an owner of a 76 here.  Still negotiating the price since he said his asking wasn't his final.

Thanks guys.

[R.O.R-2.0]

why not just buy proper struts for your car, that you KNOW will work right?

its gonna be a real pain if you pull your front end apart, to find out they DONT FIT..

im pretty sure the early rabbits and later rabbits were different enough that the parts are not interchangable..

[srgtlord]

Easiest thing to do would be to check rockauto and see if the strut cartidge for a 76 fit an 81

[ORCoaster]

srgtlord,  I did that and the numbers I got were the same.  So tonight a buddies wife is going to meet this guy in the local Home Depot parking lot and pay him some money and on Friday night deliver them to me so I can tear into the car all day on Saturday.  I have all four corners to do.  Rears need the lift reduced because I don't need 11 gallons of WVO sloshing around back there for nothing.  The fronts come off because they are so weak that I have been bottoming out on small 1 inch holes and tar cracks. 

I expect to tear them all apart and level the ride out some. 

And R.O.R.,  If I find they don't fit they will be in the FS section here that evening.  At least we have folks that own these cars and someone might need a new from on the shelf for years strut cartridges.  Actually not that old he did buy them but never put them on.  I at least will buy and try. 

There is only 5 years difference between my car, an 81 and these 76 struts.  Price was good, not a gimme but better than buy new and pay shipping or extras I really don't need to buy. 

[theman53]

Like CRSMP5 said if they don't swell out it should fit both housings with the proper nut. It is a good gamble IMHO.

[ORCoaster]

Took the gamble and they will be in my hands tomorrow evening.  Good weekend project if it don't rain.  Going to get wet if it does.