[Gunny]

I just replaced my front struts with Tokicos. Going over bumps (when the front would go up and down) makes a rattling noise from the struts. What gives? I lowered my car a few months ago myself and reused the existing struts. I used BMR lowering springs and the setup includes a new top of the strut to eliminate reuse of the factory thing that creaks if you don't. This time, I reused the BMR top, but have the loose sound problems. You think this it the reason or is the nut on top of the strut simply not tight enough? It almost sounds like the spring compresses and when the front end comes back up it comes up more than the spring would extend and makes the noise. Yes, all the bolts are tight, I just don't know how much to crank on the top nut of the strut.

Any thoughts would be appreciated.

[LV51FER]

There should be instructions and it tells you what the torque setting is. I also re-used the rubber spring wraps top and bottom from the original springs. I take it you have ensured the springs are seated in the little cut-outs? Did you put the bump-stops back on and the right way up?

Here's my Install, maybe there's something there that might help but that torque setting is critical.
http://www.cardomain.com/ride/2177534/4

[Gunny]

Originally Posted by LV51FER There should be instructions and it tells you what the torque setting is. I also re-used the rubber spring wraps top and bottom from the original springs. I take it you have ensured the springs are seated in the little cut-outs? Did you put the bump-stops back on and the right way up? Here's my Install, maybe there's something there that might help but that torque setting is critical. http://www.cardomain.com/ride/2177534/4

Yeah, I did all that. I know the torque is something like 45ft/lbs, but will check my Haynes manual. I've already done this three times on my car, just this time has caused the looseness issue. Thanks for the info though.

[Gunny]

After going out to tighten the bolts on top of the struts this morning, I found them finger tight. Tightening them to the torque spec eliminated the problem. I originally tightened them when they were out of the car, but failed to do it once they were installed. IDIOT.

Thanks...