Mk1 Capri Roller Bearing Top Mount

[Aether]

Hi All

Question for you. I need some advice on this one.

I had my struts rebuilt by the local pedders guys with new springs & shocks. When he was putting them back together he said he was surprised it was all just rotating on a single large washer at the top and there was no bearing. I checked the service manual and it just shows the parts in the picture below ( the whole assembly appears to be rotating on a "Dished washer"). So I told him that it was right and we just put them back together in the same way they came apart, and as pictured in the manual. He placed some grease on the washer and job done.

Now I have just fitted them and indeed when the car is on stands the struts do not turn freely and are quite jerky.

Question 1: Am I missing something here? Was I wrong?
Question 2: Has anyone tried to do something about this i.e. with bearing strut tops? They seem to be available from the UK and thought about buying some? This would mean getting another set of springs as the bearing strut tops raise the car up by 1 inch.

OR does the dished washer work well enough for other people once the steering rack is connected?

Thanks for your advice. Heres the link to the bearing strut tops, and a picture of my workshop manual:

http://www.burtonpower.com/roller-be...ach-mp179.html

[jpblue1000]

worked 'well' on many old UK fords for 40 years. No need to reinvent the wheel if everything is straight and assembled properly.
However roller tops reduce effort at slow speeds.

JP

[Puzzlescort]

I'm with Justin...they do work ok for normal driving, just make sure that all the surface rust has been cleaned off etc
The roller tops are a nice to have but yes they do play havoc with ride heights....ok when you have adjustable spring platforms

[Captain Stubing]

How about replacing the dished washer with the strut bearings from a Sierra? I didn't take photographs of mine when I replaced them, but they were no thicker than your dished washer.

[allanv6gt]

Make sure the mating surfaces are greased.
This same topic came up on another forum.

[OLD BALDY]

Worked O.K. on my Twin Cam rally car for 5 years!!
I think one of the Mk1 or Mk2 Cortinas hag roller bearing tops!!

[Aether]

Cool thanks guys.

Spoke to pedders about lower springs so I'll just do that and then once it's on the road I'll see how the steering goes. If it's ok I'll leave it

I guess I just wanted to see if this was something people have found worthwhile.

Thanks!!