Strut replacement question

[wander2039]

Just replaced the struts on the parents 2000 Impala. I used a impact gun on the last three and everything seem to go together good and extremely easy, the impact gun is the invention of the gods. On the last three my dad insisted we use the new nuts that came with the struts, the stock ones have basically a built-on flat washer where the new ones was just a straight nut. I tighten those three as tight as I could get it with the impact, but according to him the retaining washer is loose and rattling around on those three, the one with the stock nut is just as tight but doesn't rattle, still can the turn the washer some. He tried to tighten them more my insert a bit in the end and a open-end wrench but couldn't get them any tighter. My lost on what to do.

PS It does ride like a box car, extremely stiff, I told them to expect that for a while till they break in. Am I correct on this?

 

[PandaBear]

I was told that you never use impact to tighten a strut, or it could damage the internal. New struts came with nuts that have plastic friction "locker" that will prevent loosen out due to vibration.

If you can see the retaining washer and don't want it to rattle, maybe shim/glue it up?

 

[wander2039]

Monroe sensa-trac's

 

[ikeepmychevytoo]

I guess Monroe have a problem handling the custom valving requirements for some (GM) cars. The rear Sensa-Tracs managed to turn my silky rider into a market trolley. I waited for ~2k miles hoping they would "wear-in". At the end I had to re-assamble the old ones. However, while still wouldn't match with the originals, fronts were acceptible on my application.

The three nuts with washers on the strut tower are not subjet to very heavy loads. On mine they were spected to a mere 18 ft.lbs. May be some problem with the strut damper, omission of a silencer, the top rubber put in opposite direction etc. Also there is a certain angle that the spring should have before being compressed. It should've been observed. Also the damper may not go in any combination into that three bolt hole. There are a front and a rear for the spring, damper and the strut.

 

[Willy_G]

quote:

---

PS It does ride like a box car, extremely stiff, I told them to expect that for a while till they break in. Am I correct on this?

---

What kind of shocks were used with the new struts? OE, aftermarket, etc???