Front Suspension Inserts

[Dave M]

One of my NOS front struts is leaking and I want to replace both the inserts. I've just fitted two KYB non adjustable shockers on the back and they are a little too soft especially with the lowered suspension so I'm a bit reluctant to fit them on the front. Any recommendations on what type to fit please?

Cheers
Dave

[73stagman]

"Gaz" top adjustable on mine.... they are currently set as soft as they go and they work fine. (My engine is a Rover V8 so its lighter on the front!)

[Marco Polo]

I've got adjustable Konis all round on my car which is also fully poly bushed and has Tony Harts lowering kit fitted. The ride is a little harsher than standard but I prefer it.
regards,
Raoul

[Dave M]

Thanks guys Were the Gaz and Konis easy enough to fit as I know some have had issues on here when fitting front strut inserts?

[bullstarz]

Gaz adjustable's all round, they are very help full company to. They're English and a better price than the rest at around £60 per corner. Easy to adjust as well al though the rears can be a bit fiddly to do.

[73stagman]

As for fitting them..... in some of the original front housings you will need some spacers. The gaz struts are slightly shorter than some of the original casings and the top holding nut doesn't do any holding.....The spacer thickness varies from car to car and on some cars even from side to side.... However I don't believe any of the other types of inserts are any better!

[Marco Polo]

Konis were easy to fit, remember to fill the strut with ATF so the heat generated by the insert can dissipate.
Regards,
Raoul

[DJT]

I fitted Spax no-adjustable inserts (from LDparts). Not cheap, but they seem fine. I was told by Peter and Spax that it was not necessary to fill the leg with oil unless I was intending some serious off-roading or rallying..... The McPherson struts will receive plenty of cooling during normal road use.

[mjheathcote]

Fitted adjustable konis, the only real choice at the time. They are adjustable but only by removing them. I fitted 30% stiffer springs so adjusted them the same, been fine.
I think if I was doing the same today, would have top adjustable ones.
I needed to space them when fitting with a thick washer, and I filled the air gap with neat antifreeze, as recommended by koni at the time, for heat transfer.

[Dave M]

Thanks for all the info guys, hadent even thought about filling the air gap in the housing with anything.

[MarkTwo]

I put 2 heavy washers in the bottom of the strut housing and on one side this has worked well. However on the other there has been a clonking noise, which has been getting worse. I took the front strut off this morning and at first could not see the problem. Then I realised there was some slight sideways movement of the damper within the housing. I have just dismantled and reassembled with the original threaded adaptors. Thankfully I kept them. Now all is tight and I am just touching up the paintwork before refitting. Good luck. Mark
IMG00218-20131208-1247.jpg

[73stagman]

I think if they get filled with a fluid of any type, in the UK at least, there is a chance that the fluid may appear as a leak which at MOT time will be fuel for failure.... I reckon that unless you are doing some serious track work or off road (in a Stag!!!!!!???????????? ) they will be fine dry...

[Rubce]

Mark

Your posting has got me thinking as our Stag has developed a knocking noise from the front nearside corner. Perhaps its the damper insert moving within the strut. Did you have to remove the coil spring before you were able to detect the movement in the damper stem?

Regards

Bruce

[DJT]

Bruce,

Check your drag struts are tight. Mine developed a knocking from one side soon after I bought it. Took me ages to discover that whoever fitted the poly bushes hadn't torqued the drag struts to the body and they were loose. Tightened them up and the knock disappeared.

[rac]

I think if they get filled with a fluid of any type, in the UK at least, there is a chance that the fluid may appear as a leak which at MOT time will be fuel for failure.... I reckon that unless you are doing some serious track work or off road (in a Stag!!!!!!???????????? ) they will be fine dry...

yes I agree, changed the drivers side on mine-fitted dry-no problems