New struts making knocking sounds

[CLIFFO_83]

I installed new gas struts and now i can hear knocking when i drive, what could this be?

[r_i_d_a_h]

have you taken a look at the link-pin bushes??

had a knocking sound whenever a went over bumps and dips and when turning, found out few bushes in the link pin were gone!

[CLIFFO_83]

ok, where the hell is the link pin? I didnt do it before

[Commydoor]

Sway bar link pins he means i think. Check the retaining nuts for the inserts in the strut housing are tight. Check the nuts retaining the strut tops. And check the nuts on your tie rod ends.

[Pub247]

Yep if its mainly over bumps i'd say its the retaining nut on the inserts

[CLIFFO_83]

i double checked all that before, maybe the top bearing nut isnt tight enough, i heard if you dont tighten them properly you get knocking. Is the retaining nut the thing you screw in on top of the inserts? please explain coz i'm mechanically challanged

[Rhino Racing]

Could be the top bearing nut as mentioned, Also could be the nut which holds the front shock in the strut itself. Are you sure you have not put a shortened "Lowered type" shockie in a standard tube?
Did you prime the shockie before fitting it?????
IE. stand it straight up and down and allow the shockie to move the full length of its stroke several times and keep it in that vertical position and fit it to make sure no air lock???

[greenfoam]

98.7% chance its the nut holding the strut in, if you don't pull them out like yesterday and do it again with loctite and a bigger spanner you will punch holes in the shockers and be up for some new ones. Most of us have gone through this, it's one of those things you have to stuff up once to learn

[CLIFFO_83]

looks like i'll be pulling em back out again than ay!

Do I need to put oil in the strut housing?

[Not_An_Abba_Fan]

No, the replacement cartridges are sealed. You can tighten the retaining nut without pulling them out though, jack the car up and put your spanner/stilsons between the coils and tighten the nut. You just need a new cable tie to put the dust cover back onto the housing. Tighten the top nut on the bearing plate with the car on the ground.

[djvass]

looks like i'll be pulling em back out again than ay!

Do I need to put oil in the strut housing?

PM SENT

It is possible to still do it in the car without taking the strut out, can be abit tricky but can be done and save you alot of time pulling them out again.

[CLIFFO_83]

Will it **** the shock if I grip it with multi grips when I tighten top nut?

[djvass]

yes it could you need to rap the grips with a rag.

[Pub247]

Yeah as greenfoam and NAAB said Use loctite on the insert retaining nut and you can do it without removing the shock. This is more than likely your problem Happened to me twice before when i put new strut in my vk and vp

[CLIFFO_83]

can i undo the retaining nut completely with out taking out the strut assembley. nothing will pop out will it?

[Not_An_Abba_Fan]

No you can't. Well, you can if there is weight on the spring, but then you won't be able to get between the coils. Personally, I have never used loctite when doing up the retainers and I have never had one come loose. You just have to do it up pretty tight.

[djvass]

dont use loctite there is no need for it.

[immortality]

hahaha, i've never had one come loose. but then i'm use to large industrial fastners and i like to tighten things properly. some say what i call tight is impossible to loosen, but having 120kg to swing on the spanner makes it easy

[CLIFFO_83]

Problem solved, I got onto the retaining nut with some stilsons and a pole for leverage and tightened top bearing nut, All is sweet thanx to everyone for all info and help

[djvass]

sweet as good to hear it is all fixed

[CLIFFO_83]

the left side is knocking a bit still over bumps and when going around roundabouts, might have to tighten left side retaining nut a bit more