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Problems installing new front McPherson strut

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  • Problems installing new front McPherson strut

    I ran across two issues while replacing an 89LX McPherson strut.
    First, my "Spring Seat Insulator" appears in sad shape but I can not find new ones.
    Attached is Ford service manual (for 1993) showing front suspension breakdown. Part #8 is the spring seat insulator.
    Attached also is my insulator (side facing downward toward spring).

    So where do I buy new insulators? Car is up on jack now. I'd rather not reassemble with old insulator!

    2018 12 19 1989 LX front strut 'Spring Seat Insulator' -- lower side (toward spring).JPG Front suspension drawing from 1993 Ford service manual.jpg
    Last edited by AlaskaFestivaGuy; 12-19-2018, 08:42 PM.
    88L black, dailydriver
    88LX silver a/c, dailydriver
    4 88/89 disassembled
    91L green
    91GL aqua pwrsteer
    92GL red a/c reardmg
    3 93L blue, 2 dailydriver, 1 frontdmg
    1952 Cessna170B floatplane

  • #2
    Second, the bearing which came with the O'Reilly strut overhaul kit (in addition to the new strut itself) seems different than what came out.

    In the inline photo below

    Back row is old parts not being re-used.
    Middle row is old parts being re-used.
    Front row is new parts.

    2018 12 19 189 LX front strut overhaul - back-to-front old-re-use-new.JPG
    88L black, dailydriver
    88LX silver a/c, dailydriver
    4 88/89 disassembled
    91L green
    91GL aqua pwrsteer
    92GL red a/c reardmg
    3 93L blue, 2 dailydriver, 1 frontdmg
    1952 Cessna170B floatplane

    Comment


    • #3
      Here is a close-up of the old bearing (if that's what it is). Note the lip pointing upward -- not sure exactly how it came out!

      The "ring" to the right fits around the bearing/whatever.

      2018 12 19 1989 LX front strut bearing (original).JPG
      88L black, dailydriver
      88LX silver a/c, dailydriver
      4 88/89 disassembled
      91L green
      91GL aqua pwrsteer
      92GL red a/c reardmg
      3 93L blue, 2 dailydriver, 1 frontdmg
      1952 Cessna170B floatplane

      Comment


      • #4
        Here's a close-up of the new bearing (it's definitely a bearing):

        2018 12 19 1989 LX front strut bearing (new).JPG
        88L black, dailydriver
        88LX silver a/c, dailydriver
        4 88/89 disassembled
        91L green
        91GL aqua pwrsteer
        92GL red a/c reardmg
        3 93L blue, 2 dailydriver, 1 frontdmg
        1952 Cessna170B floatplane

        Comment


        • #5
          So, the question is … which side is "up" for the new bearing. Is it indeed the right part?

          I'd like to remove the other side strut and study more closely as it comes out, but I parked the car against a wall to have more room on this side. Yes, stupid of me.

          Since the bearing takes the full load imposed on the strut, I fear installing it incorrectly will soon lead to mechanical failure.
          Last edited by AlaskaFestivaGuy; 12-19-2018, 08:53 PM.
          88L black, dailydriver
          88LX silver a/c, dailydriver
          4 88/89 disassembled
          91L green
          91GL aqua pwrsteer
          92GL red a/c reardmg
          3 93L blue, 2 dailydriver, 1 frontdmg
          1952 Cessna170B floatplane

          Comment


          • #6
            For the spring insulator part, I notice this thread:

            Post your Festiva or Aspire repair and maintenance issues. - USE THIS FORUM FOR ANY TECHNICAL RELATED POST (IE. How do I change my oil?, How to remove axle from tranny?, etc)


            but it's not conclusive as to finding the right part.

            88L black, dailydriver
            88LX silver a/c, dailydriver
            4 88/89 disassembled
            91L green
            91GL aqua pwrsteer
            92GL red a/c reardmg
            3 93L blue, 2 dailydriver, 1 frontdmg
            1952 Cessna170B floatplane

            Comment


            • #7
              After visiting with O'Reilly, it has been determined that the bearing is supposed to be installed with the lip facing downward, but that the new bearing is too large in diameter.

              If O'Reilly can not rectify the situation, I will reinstall the old bearing/whatever-it-is for now.

              If anyone knows of a source for a proper bearing (or the rubber "insulator" described/pictured above), speak up!
              Last edited by AlaskaFestivaGuy; 12-20-2018, 06:31 PM.
              88L black, dailydriver
              88LX silver a/c, dailydriver
              4 88/89 disassembled
              91L green
              91GL aqua pwrsteer
              92GL red a/c reardmg
              3 93L blue, 2 dailydriver, 1 frontdmg
              1952 Cessna170B floatplane

              Comment


              • #8
                Bearings come with a cup and a cone. The bearings go between them. The cone fits inside the cup. The first photo is a cone. It looks like the second photo is a cup upside down. The surfaces on the cup and cone where the bearings go are called the races. Sometimes the bearings are in a metal cage which sits between the cup and cone. I replace bearings on bicycles a lot. It took a while to learn which way is up.
                Original owner of silver grey carburetted 1989 Festiva. 105k km as of June 2006. 140k km as of June 2021.

                Comment


                • #9
                  This "bearing" isn't a BALL bearing. It's just two slippery surfaces against one another. Remember, it's only there to reduce friction for the plus-minus few degrees movement that the front wheels move when steering.
                  88L black, dailydriver
                  88LX silver a/c, dailydriver
                  4 88/89 disassembled
                  91L green
                  91GL aqua pwrsteer
                  92GL red a/c reardmg
                  3 93L blue, 2 dailydriver, 1 frontdmg
                  1952 Cessna170B floatplane

                  Comment


                  • #10
                    For the "spring insulator," I sent out a search party using the Ford p/n E8BZ-5415-A found on FF.com thread I mentioned above.

                    A Ford dealer who claims to have searched "all Ford dealers nationwide" says the part is simply not available anywhere.

                    I found the part (but just ONE) as NOS on eBay and purchased it, at last to have a clean un-mangled part to measure/whatever.

                    So … is this "spring insulator" yet another ten-dollar part, the lack of which will ultimately/eventually ground the entire Festiva fleet? The Donald should issue an Executive Order mandating that Ford must offer Festy parts for 50 years!!!
                    88L black, dailydriver
                    88LX silver a/c, dailydriver
                    4 88/89 disassembled
                    91L green
                    91GL aqua pwrsteer
                    92GL red a/c reardmg
                    3 93L blue, 2 dailydriver, 1 frontdmg
                    1952 Cessna170B floatplane

                    Comment


                    • #11
                      I have some replacements. Recommended by dragonhealer. My old ones were still in good shape and i didnt like how the new ones fit so i didnt use them. I paid like $25cad a piece for them. Ill spend a few minutes looking for a part number, it should be in my build thread. Or you could pm dragonhealer- i think he has all those part numbers memorized

                      Sent from my SM-G950W using Tapatalk

                      Comment


                      • #12
                        I think aspires use the same insulator. Any rubber will work/help. I have used semi tire tubes. double them up if you want. Any repair shop should have the tube in the dumpster.

                        Comment


                        • #13
                          I may have a lead on a bunch of new Rio insulators. Does anyone know if they're a fit?

                          I'd rather do this right so it will last, rather than "kludge" something using pieces of rubber hose or similar!
                          88L black, dailydriver
                          88LX silver a/c, dailydriver
                          4 88/89 disassembled
                          91L green
                          91GL aqua pwrsteer
                          92GL red a/c reardmg
                          3 93L blue, 2 dailydriver, 1 frontdmg
                          1952 Cessna170B floatplane

                          Comment


                          • #14
                            i think the bearing and seal and washer are still available from GREEN SALES. don't have part#s on me but will post 2morrow.

                            Comment


                            • #15
                              The Kia Rio has real bearings.Some people have put the top end from Rio struts on for "improved" steering. Some modification required, a large washer I think. A search should bring up the info. Bert from Ottawa wrote about it.
                              Last edited by WmWatt; 12-22-2018, 09:12 PM.
                              Original owner of silver grey carburetted 1989 Festiva. 105k km as of June 2006. 140k km as of June 2021.

                              Comment

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