Is the top strut bearing needed with compbrake solid top mounts or can they go straight on top of the spring cup?

7th February 2011, 20:25

As title, im using apex dampers and springs so its standard spring cups not coilover style ones for your info.

Cheers

7th February 2011, 20:28

Also its these mounts im using

http://www.compbrake.co.uk/index.php...d&productId=37

7th February 2011, 20:28

?? Compbrake topmounts aint meant to be used with standard spring ID?

7th February 2011, 20:35

Really? Wasnt advised of this before, ive put it all together and it seems to fit fine with or without the circular metal piece between the top mount and the top spring cup? Also those top mounts are same layout as standards.

7th February 2011, 20:37

The top mounts have the bearing in, you dont need another bearing or youll have two sets.

If youve managed to put it all together using standard spring pans etc then thats it.

7th February 2011, 20:40

Quote:

Originally Posted by db_sax

The top mounts have the bearing in, you dont need another bearing or youll have two sets.

Yeah this is what i assumed just wanted to make sure it wasnt still needed.

Cheers for the help

8th February 2011, 21:25

db_sax are you sure about what you said coz looking at it today it looks like the top spring pan might rub against the compbrake top mount without the bearing in there. Think that might be a problem also don't know about whether bolts might catch on the top spring pan

8th February 2011, 21:27

think to run solid topmounts on a standard spring, you need a custom spring pan. there used to be a company that did them, the name of which totally illudes me

EDIT ghost developments was the company, but looks like there finished now.

8th February 2011, 22:57

Spring pan will rub on the top mount? It should all clamp together mate. Why would there be a need for 2 sets of bearings for them to both have the same duty.

As Olly said you probably need a custom spring pan

and I was probably right before saying theyre not designed to run standard ID springs.

8th February 2011, 23:27

Quote:

Originally Posted by db_sax

Spring pan will rub on the top mount?

The top mount will remain stationary whereas the top spring pan will turn with the rest of the strut. Without the bearing in place there woulb be friction caused by the metal of the spring pan and the metal of the top mount.

However with the bearing below the standard top mounts in place the problem in theory should be solved.

8th February 2011, 23:29

Quote:

Originally Posted by SteveWC

The top mount will remain stationary whereas the top spring pan will turn with the rest of the strut. Without the bearing in place there woulb be friction caused by the metal of the spring pan and the metal of the top mount.

However with the bearing below the standard top mounts in place the problem in theory should be solved.

Try it out then mate. I dont understand how you have got compbrake solid topmounts with standard top mounts in too and the bearings underneath that also.

8th February 2011, 23:36

Quote:

Originally Posted by db_sax

I dont understand how you have got compbrake solid topmounts with standard top mounts in too

lol why the hell would I do that?

Ive replaced the standard mounts for compbrake ones due to them wearing out.

I think you might be a bit unsure what I mean by the strut bearing I mean the small metal race that goes on top of the standard spring pan, the standard top mount then goes on top of this.

the layout would be like this:

top mount

top spring pan

spring

bottom spring pan

without another bearing inbetween the top mount and top spring pan then the spring pan will be rubbing against the metal of the top mount as i turn the wheels wont it.

edit: should say here strut should move independantly of the top mount, didnt mean it the other way round

Also the top mount will need to turn independently of the strut wouldnt it as its clamped to the chassis, if it couldnt turn then you would have no steering.

do you see what i mean?

9th February 2011, 00:49

Not really im too tired

I was referring to this that you posted "However with the bearing below the standard top mounts in place the problem in theory should be solved." I know how the standard struts go together and the top mounts etc ive got the same top mounts as the ones youve bought apart from mine were over £100 at the time, might be slightly different?

But either way, if you think youve sussed it then have a go, will only find out that way!

9th February 2011, 01:05

Quote:

Originally Posted by db_sax

Not really im too tired

I was referring to this that you posted "However with the bearing below the standard top mounts in place the problem in theory should be solved." I know how the standard struts go together and the top mounts etc ive got the same top mounts as the ones youve bought apart from mine were over £100 at the time, might be slightly different?

But either way, if you think youve sussed it then have a go, will only find out that way!

Ok mate cheers for your help. I think it should work this way, reason I ask is ill prob have two buy two new metal races now too as the current ones could just as easily have been the problem as the standard top mounts were.

Replacing parts is never as cheap as you expect on a saxo is it lol

9th February 2011, 01:13

Quote:

Originally Posted by db_sax

"However with the bearing below the standard top mounts in place the problem in theory should be solved."

Oh and what I meant here was below the standard top mount is a seperate bearing like a circular metal type thing, I mean i think placing this below the compbrake top mount will stop it from creating friction on the spring pan as the wheels are turned.

Like you say though I won't know till I try, just trying to save myself some work hopefully someone will pop up whos used these with standard spring ID.

9th February 2011, 02:17

Unfortunately theyre not made for use with standard spring pans/assembly atall. Some components may fit together in a fashion but theyre not intended to be used with them, I wouldnt recommend chancing it and seeing how they are fitted either to be honest

9th February 2011, 02:31

Quote:

Originally Posted by willsy

Unfortunately theyre not made for use with standard spring pans/assembly atall. Some components may fit together in a fashion but theyre not intended to be used with them, I wouldnt recommend chancing it and seeing how they are fitted either to be honest

Was just up the shed a min ago and just gave everything another test fit and I think ive gotta agree with the comments just doesnt look safe enough even with the bearing in tbh.

Gonna get a top mount kit from eurocarparts i think and play it safe, unless you know some good priced top mounts that will 100% fit standard spring pans?

Group N are out of question cant justify paying 100 just for hardened rubber on each side.