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Rear spring rubbing on shock body

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#1
ptk

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I noticed this weekend that my right rear spring has rubbed on the damper housing body (the threads near the top of the body are worn down and silver now instead of black). It was not like this before this weekends’ racing). I have just removed the shock and see that the upper spring seat hard rubber is a loose piece, but has evidence that it was either glued or bonded to the upper mount. The left rear upper seat is still bonded to the upper mount. I assume this was done to keep the seat concentric with the damper body, but now that it is not bonded anymore it can move slightly off axis from the damper and allow the spring to make contact with the body.
My questions are:
1. Is the upper seat bonded to the upper mount by design from Bilstein?
2. Is it ok to re-glue it in place, and what type of adhesive should I use?

Anyone else dealt with this before? Thanks in advance
Paul

#2
TylerQuance

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I think the black threaded damper housing body you refer to is not a Bilstein part, it is just the coilover sleeve that slides over the shock. Sometimes they rub the inside of the spring if the top of the spring is not located properly in the shock hat.

 

To answer your questions:

1. The upper seat I think you're referring to is a FatCat part, they keep the top of the spring located in the shock hat (factory Mazda part with 2 studs on it up through the body) like you said. I guess some installers will glue them to the shock hat so they don't move when you lift the car and the suspension droops so much the springs no longer preload this upper spring mount.

2. I would use an industrial strength 2-part epoxy. Or maybe just hot glue. Or bubblegum. I never glued mine and they now find their "home" every time. 

 

tq


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#3
Chris D.

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I tried Gorilla Glue several times with no luck.   I switched to a windshield adhesive and they've been in place ever since.  I think the urethane allows for a little compliance and isn't brittle like some glues or epoxies.


  • Steve Scheifler and TylerQuance like this

Chris Dilluvio

Farmington Hills, MI


#4
ptk

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Thanks for the replies - good info, and I will try to urethane it back in place.
It was good meeting you this past weekend, Chris- hope to see you at a few other races this year.
Paul

#5
Chris D.

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Same here Paul.   I plan on running most of the remaining Waterford races this year.


Chris Dilluvio

Farmington Hills, MI


#6
davew

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The spring rubbing on the shock is normal, don't worry about it


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