Replacing Upper Spring seat pads on strut install?

[91Bomb]

I replaced the front struts on my 1g FWD and although I changed the mounts and all other hardware I didn't get to change the upper spring seat pads. The rubber pads on mine did not look damaged but they were very thin so are you supposed to change those to a thicker aftermarket rubber pad for an improvement in ride quality

 

[hhuricane]

It's not there for ride quality. It's there so that the springs don't rattle. If they are not damaged don't sweat it.

 

[jtmcinder]

It's not there for ride quality. It's there so that the springs don't rattle. If they are not damaged don't sweat it.

One of the above three claims is true. Luckily, it's the one that answers the thread-starter's question.

 

[hhuricane]

^Considering all three sentences are true I don't see your point.

 

[jtmcinder]

The isolators ARE intended to enhance the ride.

The isolators ARE NOT needed to keep the spring from rattling, since the OE spring is under preload even at full droop.

But, as luck would have it, minor damage to the isolators is not a big deal. As long as they are roughly intact, all's fine.

 

[hhuricane]

Being that I sell these at work fairly often and 100% of the time the customers complaint isn't about decreased ride comfort but that the spring rattling and clunking is driving them nuts, you believe what you wish and we'll just agree to disagree.

 

[jtmcinder]

Given that the OE springs are not flat-ended and 1Gs are on struts, I can see how a destroyed isolator could allow for noises when turning. Said noise would overwhelm the ride issues, which is why your customers wouldn't mention it. Maybe we can settle on two out of three?

There's a reason why they are called "isolators," you know.

 

[hhuricane]

There's a reason why they are called "isolators," you know.

Right, they "isolate" the spring from the strut mount to keep it from rattling and clunking. Any cushioning effect would be minimal (if any) due to the high durometer rubber used.

 

[jtmcinder]

Oh, well. I tried. But there's no way that the isolator doesn't reduce NVH, so the disagreement stands.

Note to people who think I'm a jerk who only sticks his nose into these threads to find excuses to turn chicklets red: there is no way that I would give negative points to hh for this discussion.

Note to people who just think I'm a jerk in general: you're correct.

 

[jtmcinder]

Hey, while mowing the lawn I thought of another way to say that the isolators reduce both noise and vibration, instead of just the former.

Things that produce noise also produce vibration and vice versa. The former is why it's hard to use your rear-view mirror with the stereo cranked up. The latter is why wives slip off to the bathroom for a few minutes if you were selfish and quick.