Top mount wont tighten on b8s

  1. Frequent Poster Joined: May 2010 North East Scotland Posts: 686 Inferno 182, S2 Indigo Rallye
    #1
    I am currently trying to fit b8s and faulkner springs to my struts. Also fitting new top mount bearings.

    When the top mount is fully tightened down, the spring isn't held correctly and there is still slack in them.

    What to do?
  2. Saxperience Post Whore Joined: Mar 2009 Uppingham, Rutland Posts: 9569 mk1 JP4'd VTR, '16 Fabia Monte Carlo
    #2
    just a guess but it might be that the springs you have are quite low ones? and will only sit right when the weight of the car is pressed down, does seem weird though only usually see that on stupidly low coilover springs
  3. Frequent Poster Joined: May 2010 North East Scotland Posts: 686 Inferno 182, S2 Indigo Rallye
    #3
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by jeffchiz View Post
    just a guess but it might be that the springs you have are quite low ones? and will only sit right when the weight of the car is pressed down, does seem weird though only usually see that on stupidly low coilover springs
    They are the faulkner 155lb ones, which lower 35mm I think?

    Its the fact that they are really slack. Can move them about very easily
  4. Saxperience Forum Bum Joined: Mar 2011 plymouth Posts: 2921 mk2 VTS
    #4
    get some pics up
  5. Saxperience Post Whore Joined: Mar 2009 Uppingham, Rutland Posts: 9569 mk1 JP4'd VTR, '16 Fabia Monte Carlo
    #5
    im probably wrong tbh then lol
  6. Frequent Poster Joined: May 2010 North East Scotland Posts: 686 Inferno 182, S2 Indigo Rallye
    #6
    after doing a search on the p/no: i think I may have grp n's?

    F4-P30-0351-HOO1 - http://www.kamracing.co.uk/citroen/c...roen-saxo.html

    Should still be the same principal though?
  7. Saxperience Post Whore Joined: Dec 2004 Grimsby United Kingdom (England) Posts: 5489 SUPERCHARGED saxo vts
    #7
    its what happens im afraid. i have these with grp n and the springs are only just held in and can be moved if pushed when unloaden. i dont know how bad yours are but check if your spring pans are bent. new ones may help but i wouldnt try beat or bend old ones back into shape.

    i have seen on some springs, i.e iebach they have a rubber sleeve to make the springs quiet and not bang about. i have thought in past i could find some sleeves and fit them to create a bit more snug fit. i have bought coilovers so idea went in the bin
  8. Frequent Poster Joined: May 2010 North East Scotland Posts: 686 Inferno 182, S2 Indigo Rallye
    #8
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by sexy_gt View Post
    its what happens im afraid. i have these with grp n and the springs are only just held in and can be moved if pushed when unloaden. i dont know how bad yours are but check if your spring pans are bent. new ones may help but i wouldnt try beat or bend old ones back into shape.

    i have seen on some springs, i.e iebach they have a rubber sleeve to make the springs quiet and not bang about. i have thought in past i could find some sleeves and fit them to create a bit more snug fit. i have bought coilovers so idea went in the bin
    Surely it cant be safe to drive with the suspension like this?!?

    There is quite a bit of play just tbh!
  9. Banned Joined: Jul 2007 Posts: 4328
    #9
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by Bobo0907 View Post
    Surely it cant be safe to drive with the suspension like this?!?

    There is quite a bit of play just tbh!
    I doubt it would pass a legit mot that wAy
  10. Saxperience Post Whore Joined: Mar 2009 Uppingham, Rutland Posts: 9569 mk1 JP4'd VTR, '16 Fabia Monte Carlo
    #10
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by Bobo0907 View Post
    Surely it cant be safe to drive with the suspension like this?!?

    There is quite a bit of play just tbh!
    well it wouldnt be wobbly when the car is on the ground lol as i said earlier a lot of coilover set ups do this when people remove the helper springs, once the car is down allt he weight presses down on it, there is an argument if you go over a bumpa dn the car leaves the ground the spring could dislodge but you would have to get some air to do that! wouldnt stop me using them
  11. Saxperience Post Whore Joined: Jan 2008 ..... Posts: 5231 ..............
    #11
    its the discretion of the mot man/woman(haha) whether its safe or not to fail it on a mot. he will probably check if it reseats itself easily enough....

    once under load its fine.
    How far is the topmount from the top spring(when bottom spring is in correct cup)....


    I used to have B8s and 155lb springs and mine seated fine....
  12. Saxperience Post Whore Joined: Apr 2007 Posts: 6640 Integra DC5R & VTS
    #12
    I've fitted 250mm 155lb Faulkners with B8s and Group N Billies and they seated fine.

    Currently run 240mm free length springs and they're exactly as you describe - off the car, the top mount bearings won't sit in the strut properly. Everything clicks into place when you lower the car to the ground though. Not had any issues at all with the springs unseating. Whack a few cable ties on if you're worried.
  13. Frequent Poster Joined: May 2010 North East Scotland Posts: 686 Inferno 182, S2 Indigo Rallye
    #13
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by Liam_ View Post
    I've fitted 250mm 155lb Faulkners with B8s and Group N Billies and they seated fine.

    Currently run 240mm free length springs and they're exactly as you describe - off the car, the top mount bearings won't sit in the strut properly. Everything clicks into place when you lower the car to the ground though. Not had any issues at all with the springs unseating. Whack a few cable ties on if you're worried.
    Aye guess I could use some cable ties.

    What would the MOT man say about that though?
  14. Saxperience Post Whore Joined: Apr 2007 Posts: 6640 Integra DC5R & VTS
    #14
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by Bobo0907 View Post
    Aye guess I could use some cable ties.

    What would the MOT man say about that though?
    250mm free length springs should feel fairly tight in the spring pans. Might be able to rotate them a little though? Mine went through an MOT fine with 240mm free length springs and a few cable ties for good measure.

    You shouldn't have any problems with those springs imo. Slowly lower the car to the ground and everything will click into place.
  15. Saxperience Post Whore Joined: Jan 2008 ..... Posts: 5231 ..............
    #15
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by Bobo0907 View Post
    Aye guess I could use some cable ties.

    What would the MOT man say about that though?
    its the discretion of the mot man/woman(haha) whether its safe or not to fail it on a mot. he will probably check if it reseats itself easily enough....

    once under load its fine.
    How far is the topmount from the top spring(when bottom spring is in correct cup)....
    ......
  16. Saxperience Post Whore Joined: Jan 2008 ..... Posts: 5231 ..............
    #16
    PS
    a local mot place failed me on my old springs not seating when jacked up.....
    he said he couldnt pass it as it can be dangerous...
  17. Saxperience Addict Joined: Nov 2006 A farm shed in Aylesbury Posts: 14916 Corolla AE86 Peugeot 205 B18C (in bits)
    #17
    Those Faulkner are 250mm length so there should not be an issue with spring seating. The Group N dampers should not matter
  18. Saxperience Post Whore Joined: Dec 2004 Grimsby United Kingdom (England) Posts: 5489 SUPERCHARGED saxo vts
    #18
    mine are the 240mm length i would imagine 250 to be fine. bent spring pans?