Front Suspension Top Mounts - orientation

[Rod1883]

I've bought new Top Mounts, Springs, etc from SOC spares to rebuild the front Suspension. The top mounts have a small half moon shape indent visible from the top - is this there to enable correct orientation when fitting, and if so how do you use that to get each side correctly fitted?
Also, does anyone have any guidance on the correct lubrication to use when fitting the outer sleeve and inner bearing into the top mounts for both the fitting itself and for subsequent good life and performance 'in service'? I assume that a good application of grease is required to allow rotation and to prevent corrosion - or is something else better?
Thanks.

[Rod1883]

Sorry to bring this back to the top again.
I've read thoroughly the original Stag ROM, plus the Haynes and Autobooks instructions too.
I can see in the latter two an instruction to coat all the rubbing/bearing surfaces with grease so I assume that includes the sleeve and bearing that slide in the top mount. Has anyone a recommendation on type of grease please?

Regarding the way the top mounts are fitted I'm still unclear. Looking at them again I assume that the half moon indentations at each end of the 'hole' is where the thrust washer tabs go. Is this correct?
Does it matter then how the mount is fitted into the turret? Do the half moon indents indicate a way that the mounts should go in, or isn't it important?

Thanks
Rod

[sujitroy]

does the tab go in that space. I don't recall it going back in a particular way.

[sujitroy]

I replaced the shocks and springs but didn't pay attention to the top mount I just put it back. the grease was good so didn't regrease.

[Rod1883]

Sorry about asking these questions again, but now that I have all the parts from SOC spares I'm looking at the job in more detail.

1. Does anyone have any advice on the best type of grease to use on all the bearing surfaces?

2. When fitting the top mounts does it matter how they are fitted?

Looking from above there is a half moon cutout at the top of the mount bearing 'tube' that faces one of the studs (from below the half moon cut out is exactly opposite).
Can anyone confirm whether it is important how this is fitted into the turret? Should the cutout viewed from the top point toward the inboard stud for example?

3. Also - is the half moon cutout where the thrust washer tabs go?

4. One last question - the workshop manuals talk of the plain faces of the thrust washers being next to the swivel bearing. I've looked at the new thrust washers from SOC and there is a merest hint of a chamfer on the inner edge on one side - so I assume the other side is the flat side, can anyone confirm please?

Thanks again
Rod

[Lingen]

Rod.. It doesn't matter which way round the top mount is fitted. The half moon cut outs are for the washer tabs to locate in, and the thrust washers you have bought can be fitted either way up. I have checked with the supplier! I reckon that a copper grease would be suitable on all the mating surfaces.
Mike.

[Rod1883]

Thank you Mike, advice appreciated.
Rod

[Rod1883]

Sorry All, another couple of question in this area.
The manuals talk of cleaning off and renewing the "Plastiseal" to seal the in the turret.
I'm struggling to identify what Plastiseal is via web searches. Any advice on what to use please?

Also - on which surface(s) is this sealant applied? Is it just between the turret and the top of the top mount?
The manuals talk of applying it to the top of the strut and the upper mounting flange of the damper. I've studied the diagrams but remain confused. Are these two descriptions the same thing or two different places that require sealant?
Thanks
Rod

[Lingen]

Rod.
Silicone sealer will do the job. You just need a bead of it all round the top of the metal part of the bush, between the studs. It is to stop any water thrown up be the tyres from getting between the bush and the inner wing, and collecting inside the top of the bush around the bearing.
Mike.

[Rod1883]

Thanks again Mike.
Rod

[Rod1883]

An update:
The job is all done - by a reliable local mechanic who has done quite a bit of work on a good friends Stag recently.
The car sits a little high, but doesn't look out of the ordinary, I'm hoping/expecting it to settle at least a little.
The mechanic tried to fit one of the new top mounts and found that the inner core of the unit is too long in that when it is all tightened up, the thrust washers etc bear on the mounting surface rather than the end of the bearing, and thus the whole thing is solid rather than being able to swivel.

Luckily, the top mounts on the car were fine (they appeared to be Quinton Hazell units) and so he put the new bearings into them and reassembled.

I imagine the centre of the new mounts could be turned down a small amount (or slightly longer bearings be made?) to resolve the issue.
I have provided feedback to the supplier - I'm not looking for a refund or to return the items, just to provide information to hopefully get the part improved in future.

[Lingen]

Rod.
Unfortunately the problem you have experienced with incorrect machining of the metal insert is nothing new. It has been happening on and off for years depending on the source.. Providing feedback ought to help ensure that the problem is rectified, but it seems not. Perhaps returning them for a refund might make a difference!
Mike.

[dasadrew]

Rod.
Unfortunately the problem you have experienced with incorrect machining of the metal insert is nothing new. It has been happening on and off for years depending on the source.. Providing feedback ought to help ensure that the problem is rectified, but it seems not. Perhaps returning them for a refund might make a difference!
Mike.

Mike, you say the incorrect inserts are dependent on the source; Rod seems to have sourced his from SOC Spares, do you know a source for correct ones? Or do you mean that there are e.g. two manufacturers and it's pot luck what you get independent of retailer?

Maybe the correct and incorrect dimesions could be useful so that the buyer could check this before buying? On a similar situation with Water Pump brass cages, Peter (LD Parts) mentioned that some may require some light machining due to their oversize; this helped me as I saw straight away what had to be done when my new one didn't fit.

Drew

(Sorry to be so persistent, but I'm planning on swapping the front springs during winter and it's a real pain with overseas delivery times if a bum part gets delivered and needs re-ordering!)

[KOY 23]

I believe they all come from India and can be recognised by overlong bolts welded at different angles. Trial assembly showed one was tight and the other excessive play. Bought some shim washers from Namrick, larger diameter ones took out the play and smaller ones stopped the binding. Sorry can’t remember sizes but the O/D of the smaller one was same as O/D of inner sleeve and I/D of larger one same as O/D of sleeve.
Wish I hadn’t chucked the originals as Chis Waiter’s reconditioned mounts with roller bearings seem the ideal solution, albeit expensive in the short term.

[Rod1883]

Yes, I believe they are all from the same original source in India.
It is disappointing - I bought from SOC this time as I have had good experience and service in the past and they were able to supply all the parts I wanted whereas others didn't have everything I wanted in stock (in fact SOC instantly replaced one of the top mounts as one had very wonky angled welded bolts when inspected on arrival with me).
Amongst others I looked at LD but they didn't have any road springs and I wanted to source everything from the same supplier - it makes life easier if there are any issues with fitting imo and avoids any to-ing and fro-ing between suppliers. Interestingly the LD website says that the mounts are from India and are not a thing of great beauty.
Luckily the original top mounts were fine and so we were able to get the work done.
SOC have promised to look at the situation - hopefully something might change in future?