How would someone correctly align the spring seat on top with the strut mount and spring?The spring seat is angled to compensate for the angle of the top of the spring.

This weekend i replaced the strut mounts springs and cabs, couple months back i did the struts. Im pretty sure that at some point having the struts out twice recently i didnt align something correctly.

Im having three problems now, one is a loud knocking noise when i hit a bump and also if i go hard on the brakes into a right turn the steering will lock. The power steering isnt failing its locking and will only turn if i get the weight off the front by letting off the brakes or hitting the gas. Also the on center feel is all wrong, it is very light then the steering just gets artificially heavy.

The car:
2010 lnf stock
Within the last 20k miles i have replaced the steering rack, cabs, springs, struts/mounts, sway bar bushings, sway bar end links, steering intermediate shaft, and ps motor

 

Did you ever take it in for an alignment after replacing all that?

 

Yes
I cant remember the numbers but but i did get a print out everything was within spec when i left
Luckily ive got a reputable shop close by that does computerized alignments for $49
Good deal since ive had like 4 done in the past year.

 

Take the struts back out and turn the mounts by hand to make sure they dont bind. Or maybe you dont have the mount seated properly on the spring and thats where your clunk is coming from.

 

From what i see i need to have that top spring cup square to the strut shaft
Does this sound right?

 

Anybody???

 

I've never pulled my mounts off, always left them intact. Do you have the spring setup right on the strut? I'm thinking there's a forum topic on this that I've referenced before. Something along the lines that the tab needs to point towards the motor.

 

the spring itself can really only sit in there one way its good but that tab toward the motor thing is the first i heard i couldn't find anything

 

There should be a paint mark on the strut mount which you align with the tab on the spring seat.

Confusing to explain, but you should see what I mean when you look at it.

 

The new strut mounts dont have the mark on them and the old ones went out with the trash

 

Ok.... well if my memory serves me correctly, the tab on the spring seat should be facing in towards the car.

 

Thank you sir

 

You're welcome. Let me know how you make out.

 

Yeah what staged said. I've installed it the first time with it facing out and it didn't sit right. Some have also said they face it towards the rear tire but not pointing towards front tire. Mine is pointing towards motor and is fine.

 

Thanks guys they are coming back out tomorrow.