strut assembly question

[gjm120]

I've had struts assembled by a shop as I don't like messing around with spring compressors.

My question is the upper spring pad has pushed out from the plate for about 1.5" in one spot. There may be a little spring to metal plate contact there. The shop that did the assembly pointed this out to me as they noticed it but couldn't avoid it. The ends of the spring are correctly lined up with the spring pads both top and bottom.

Is this something I should be concerned about?

[ShocknAwe]

What do you mean they couldn't avoid it. Hard to see what's going on but sounds like they slapped it together too fast and deformed your upper spring pad. Is the locator nipple ripped off too?

[gjm120]

Originally Posted by ShocknAwe

What do you mean they couldn't avoid it. Hard to see what's going on but sounds like they slapped it together too fast and deformed your upper spring pad. Is the locator nipple ripped off too?

He saw it happening and tried to keep it tucked in. Said it just kept bulging out there. There isn't a nipple and a locating hole on the top pad like there is on the bottom. From this pic it seems lined up correctly, but, maybe like you said it got deformed. I'm not sure if I should just go with it or get a new pad and have it re-assembled. There appears to be very little metal to metal contact.

[juld0zer]

Used pads will do that more than new pads. This happens more often when you use the twin claw common cheap type compressors because of the uneven tensioning of the spring. Using the BMW tool ive never had it happen because the spring tension is spread over a much wider portion of the spring (100% of the upper section and approx 50% of the lower).

You really have to keep an eye on it using the cheap tools, it can be done but requires extra attention

[gjm120]

Originally Posted by juld0zer

Used pads will do that more than new pads. This happens more often when you use the twin claw common cheap type compressors because of the uneven tensioning of the spring. Using the BMW tool ive never had it happen because the spring tension is spread over a much wider portion of the spring (100% of the upper section and approx 50% of the lower).

You really have to keep an eye on it using the cheap tools, it can be done but requires extra attention

It was the tool, not the pads. A shop with a good spring compressor had no problem assembling the struts without the pushed out spring pad.

Are there any spring compressors that don't cost a lot that will work? I probably will never try to assemble struts, but just curious.

[HP Autosport]

Originally Posted by gjm120

It was the tool, not the pads. A shop with a good spring compressor had no problem assembling the struts without the pushed out spring pad.

Are there any spring compressors that don't cost a lot that will work? I probably will never try to assemble struts, but just curious.

Good one that works will be in the high $200s.