[Shotimes] Operating on the strut tower

[Carl Prochilo]

Bob,  I can only speak to my 92, but if the strut design is the same going
back to 89, then this applies.

Back in the day, one of the more common mods to SHOs is to replace the OEM
struts and springs with either Tokico or Koni's coupled with Eibach
springs.  This of course alters the geometry of the suspension. The
groaning actually gets worse in this situation.  Temperature may aggravate
the problem, but down here it's still fairly warm and the struts always
make the groaning noise.  It is apparent at low speed only.

When this was discussed in the stone ages, the stated fix was to replace
the strut bearing.  I did this and it didn't cure the problem.  Then
sometime in 93 Ford added a spacer plate to address the groaning issue. 
I've read some people say that the struts still groan with the plates. 
One interesting thing  I've observed is that the groaning is like a
binding in the tower and has a memory effect.  So if you turn left, the
car wants to stay pointing left, and vice versa.  This effect is
exaggerated if you don't have enough caster dialed in.

Personally at this point it doesn't bother me that much.  My Tokicos are
still in fairly good shape.  When I have a reason to pull the struts, I
may throw the spacer plates in, but it's not really a pressing issue
anymore for me.
-- 
Cheers,
Carl Prochilo
1992 Ultra Red Crimson

bobsteig@att.net said:
> Hi Carl,
> In your posting below you mention a groaning when turning
> the steering wheel. I have read that this is a common
> problem with the SHO when the temperature is below 45.
> I usually experience it only when turning right at low
> speeds. (and low temps)
> Is this the same thing that you are referring to
> that spacer plates will solve? If so, can you expand
> on that a bit so I know what spacer plates to put where.
>
> Thanks, Bob (BB-NYC '89)
>
>
> Operating on the strut tower  (was RE: [Shotimes] Alignment
>       Products, Problems to begin with)
> From: "Carl Prochilo" <gr8sho@prochilo.myserver.org>
> To: shotimes@autox.team.net, TechSHO@topica.com
>
> Got the car aligned today to at an old fashioned alignment shop (read no
> computer equipment except for billing purposes).  You need to make an appt
> at least 1.5 days in advance to get in.
>
> Front settings achieved post surgery are as follows. Note I needed to use
> all of the newly acquired area to get -1.625 for camber (was -2.4 degrees)
> and +2.25 for caster (up from +0.75).  Toe is set to neutral.  The
> additional caster does allow the steering to return to center much more
> quickly than before.
>
> Rear was adjusted to -0.75 degrees for camber (was -1.25 and not tracking
> correctly).  Car has specialty products eccentric bushings.
>
> My 92 never got the spacer plates to correct the groaning problem when
> turning the steering and may get around to that some day...
> --
> Cheers,
> Carl Prochilo
> 1992 Ultra Red Crimson
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