Strut tops

[SweetWagon]

I am currently in the process of renewing the front suspension in my wagon, It has lowered Kings springs but the rest is standard with flogged out lower ball joints, shocks and sway bar links, So its all getting overhauled.

The only thing that I'm stuck on is which strut tops to purchase, I figured they are probably the originals and I will replace them while I'm at it. I have been getting some increased inner tyre wear from the extra negative camber resulted from lowering, So im leaning towards adjustable strut tops, what are peoples recommendations of these - Brands/prices etc.. I have heard the urethane ones tend to wear out quicker and it is best to leave them rubber, but to my knowledge adjustable ones are not available in rubber?

I am on a budget of around $150 so keep that in mind. Pedders wanted $80 each for standards!, surely I can source them cheaper than that?

Cheers

[gslrallysport]

I know it's out of your price range, but for anyone else that may be interested, we can now supply the once-defunct Noltec tops, $395 shipped for the pair. Available in two options, either a urethane bell type, which helps absorb some of the vibration, or a full spherical type like this:
http://dairally.net/shop/pics/noltec/N44005S.jpg

Both types are full adjustable.

Price up genuine, cause often on tops I've seen quite good pricing, but on just standard rubber replacements aftermarket you're looking at $44 each without bearing, or $65 each with bearing...

[gslrallysport]

Also, Whiteline do adjustable strut tops, $249 for the pair. No piccy unfortunately...

[FusionX]

Those Noltec strut tops are now made by Wilkinson Suspension... only difference is red plates instead of blue.

[greenfoam]

Just remember the stut tops changed somewhere along the line in the VN/P range, get the wrong ones and you will gain a bit of ride height so give your vin number when you order

[SweetWagon]

Those Noltec strut tops are now made by Wilkinson Suspension... only difference is red plates instead of blue.

I have heard Nolathane, Noltec and Whiteline are all owned by Red Ranger.

Redranger

Just remember the stut tops changed somewhere along the line in the VN/P range, get the wrong ones and you will gain a bit of ride height so give your vin number when you order

That info will come in handy, had no idea they would be different. A little increased height would not be bad..its a pain having to drive the car onto blocks before the jack can fit underneath!

So whats do people recommend, standard rubber or urethane? It it worth getting adjustables?

[FusionX]

I have heard Nolathane, Noltec and Whiteline are all owned by Red Ranger.

So whats do people recommend, standard rubber or urethane? It it worth getting adjustables?

Noltec was a seperate company. The guy sold up (different patents went to different companies, strut tops to Wilkinson, adjustable radius rods to Whiteline).

Adjustables are good if you are ever going to do track days or moto-khana events. In the way of rubber vs urethane, I run neither. I'm running with Noltec/Wilkinson solids. Does produce a harsher ride, but removes the issues of worrying about that bush, just a solid bit of steel.

[SweetWagon]

Noltec was a seperate company. The guy sold up (different patents went to different companies, strut tops to Wilkinson, adjustable radius rods to Whiteline).

Adjustables are good if you are ever going to do track days or moto-khana events. In the way of rubber vs urethane, I run neither. I'm running with Noltec/Wilkinson solids. Does produce a harsher ride, but removes the issues of worrying about that bush, just a solid bit of steel.

Most likely never going to be doing track days or moto-khana, although i do like to do a spirited drive through the hills

Im leaning toward standard rubber items now, theyre cheap and should last longer than the urethane ones, with no increased ride harshness (Its pretty rough already with flogged shocks). Im hoping they will raise it a bit too.

Only downside is they wont be adjustable, but i think i can live with the minimal increase on tyre wear. They seem to be wearing OK with a good alignment.

Cheers.

[gslrallysport]

Those Noltec strut tops are now made by Wilkinson Suspension... only difference is red plates instead of blue.

Correct. It's just easier to say 'Noltec style strut tops' because everyone knows what you're talking about. yep, they most certainly are now made by Wilkinson, and after having several sets pass through here they're certainly as good (if not better) than the Notec ones. Also the price has come down significantly, and no longer come in fancy expensive packaging...

[1991_Vn2nV]

I have the Nolathane Evolution strut tops, can't remember what I paid though. But I only got those instead of the Noltecs cause the Noltecs were ridiculously expensive.

[SweetWagon]

I have the Nolathane Evolution strut tops, can't remember what I paid though. But I only got those instead of the Noltecs cause the Noltecs were ridiculously expensive.

How do you find the ride with them and are they showing any signs of wear?

Also what did you pay if you don't mind me asking?

Cheers

[greenfoam]

I have non adjustable red Nothanes, wishing I had of went with rubber. They made it quite a bit harsher but if you are just driving around in a city it wont matter

[SweetWagon]

I have non adjustable red Nothanes, wishing I had of went with rubber. They made it quite a bit harsher but if you are just driving around in a city it wont matter

Im taking it the roads are pretty bad over there? The roads are pretty good here, although when i do rarely take it off road, the corrugation makes things pretty bumpy.

Im going to call up a few places and price up the nolathane ones tomorrow and see what the prices look like. Heres a picture that kind of shows the camber compared to the rear



will new strut tops fix that or should i get adjustables?

Ill try snap a better pic of the camber tomorrow

[greenacc]

Genuine is probably the cheapest but some say they are not reliable. Lots of forum members have complained about failures, but they are ok in my car after 18 months.
Can't the camber be adjusted at the camber screw ?
If you want urethane also check out superpro. Are you doing control arm bushes too ?

[greenfoam]

Im taking it the roads are pretty bad over there? The roads are pretty good here, although when i do rarely take it off road, the corrugation makes things pretty bumpy.

Im going to call up a few places and price up the nolathane ones tomorrow and see what the prices look like. Heres a picture that kind of shows the camber compared to the rear



will new strut tops fix that or should i get adjustables?

Ill try snap a better pic of the camber tomorrow

The roads a bit hectic yeah, we had one fatal bus crash and two truck roll overs in the last month :S 2 on the same corner

[SweetWagon]

Genuine is probably the cheapest but some say they are not reliable. Lots of forum members have complained about failures, but they are ok in my car after 18 months.
Can't the camber be adjusted at the camber screw ?
If you want urethane also check out superpro. Are you doing control arm bushes too ?

Yeah I have heard lots of mixed stories, Dont want them to wear out too quickly, so do you have genuine ones in your car?

There is no camber screw on the vn unlike later models, although i see many other vn's lowered and they dont have as much camber as I do. I'll call Wholesale suspension in Penrith tomorrow and see what they say. Yeah will be doing control arm bushes

[SweetWagon]

The roads a bit hectic yeah, we had one fatal bus crash and two truck roll overs in the last month :S 2 on the same corner

That's pretty bad. I see far too many Heavy Vehicles not driving to the conditions, they fly past you in the wet and I'm sitting just below the speed limit. All the accidents on the highway here usually involve heavy vehicles.

[1991_Vn2nV]

How do you find the ride with them and are they showing any signs of wear?

Also what did you pay if you don't mind me asking?

Cheers

I did not notice a real change in the harshness of the ride, however I changed to new shocks at the same time I did the strut tops so perhaps that negated any negative effects of the strut tops I have been quite happy with the strut tops themselves though.

No signs of wear yet but the car has barely been driven over the last 12 months so thats not really definitive. I purchased them off of GSL Rallysport, it was over 12 months ago I believe so im not sure on cost, but send GSL a PM and see if they can still do a price. I've always found them very competitive on prices and great to deal with.

[SweetWagon]

I did not notice a real change in the harshness of the ride, however I changed to new shocks at the same time I did the strut tops so perhaps that negated any negative effects of the strut tops I have been quite happy with the strut tops themselves though.

No signs of wear yet but the car has barely been driven over the last 12 months so thats not really definitive. I purchased them off of GSL Rallysport, it was over 12 months ago I believe so im not sure on cost, but send GSL a PM and see if they can still do a price. I've always found them very competitive on prices and great to deal with.

Yeah i did PM him but I think he only has the Noltec $395 or Whiteline $249

I suppose the Whiteline arent a bad price, they have a pretty good rep.

Ill shoot Greg another PM tomorrow after i get a few more quotes I think

[gslrallysport]

It's getting better, Nolathane $189 for the pair...

[-Junior-]

There is no camber screw on the vn unlike later models, although i see many other vn's lowered and they dont have as much camber as I do.

You can change the camber on the original style tops. You undo the nuts, drop the whole strut down and turn the top to the next bolt holes. Did this on mine and went from about 3/4 degrees to just over 2 degrees.

Just remember that if camber is set higher, then the toe and caster must be adjusted accordingly.