Pump catching hell

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Rope

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A month a go I post a problem with hissing sound coming from my strut when I jack my car up, the problem is, when driving my car the pump comes on every minute, which tell me there is a leak, but the car don't leak when sitting, today I went and take a closer look at my strut and find out where the leak is coming from, you all might not believe this.

I Can't seam to get the picture to be inserted, It's been a while since I did it and I for got how.

This is where the leak is coming from, the top of the strut how do I know that I grab a hold of it and push and pull on it, as I push I here the air leak as I pull I here the air leak and as I push down on jack handle slowly with my foot and my ear next to the top of the strut I here the leak, now with some thing like that, what can I do.

I have already order a set of coil spring converter which should be here by wednesday, If this something I can fix I will hold off on putting on the spring.
 
I am guessing you have a 97/98. I think Jamie or Jeremi on the other board found that the newer style struts have a seal at the top of the strut that can rupture. This is not the first time this has happened, and its believe that this is a major cause of Gen II strut failure. Its often misdiagnosed and bag failure.

Right now no solution has been devised but the seal is accessible which means it may be replaceable, not that Ford would have that specific part.
 
No, the solenoid are not leaking, I wish they did, it will be a lot easyer to deal with.

I have a 96 and I bought these strut from strutmasters about 1 year and a half ago, yes the leaking is coming from the top of the strut, I believe both side leaking out but the passenger side I can here it I discover this by pushing and pulling the car up and down, the passenger side I can here at lease 5 feet away with the hood open, it is that loud when the car been pull up by the wheel well.

Thanks for your guys reply
 
Ah, Strutmasters. Not new and they usually only rebuild the Gen I struts. When you get a chance thought, can you see if they are made of plastic? The part on top above the bladder. I never heard of this problem on a Gen I strut, but then again this seal leak problem is a new discovery all together.

And just to clarify.... you hear it when you push the car up an down only? If so then really that would be the shock absorber making that sound which is located inside the strut.

Find a spray bottle and fill with water and dish soap. Spray liberally and it will help you better locate the leak. Spray all over, on top the strut, the bag, etc....
 
Rope said:
A month a go I post a problem with hissing sound coming from my strut when I jack my car up, the problem is, when driving my car the pump comes on every minute, which tell me there is a leak, but the car don't leak when sitting, today I went and take a closer look at my strut and find out where the leak is coming from, you all might not believe this.

I Can't seam to get the picture to be inserted, It's been a while since I did it and I for got how.

This is where the leak is coming from, the top of the strut how do I know that I grab a hold of it and push and pull on it, as I push I here the air leak as I pull I here the air leak and as I push down on jack handle slowly with my foot and my ear next to the top of the strut I here the leak, now with some thing like that, what can I do.

I have already order a set of coil spring converter which should be here by wednesday, If this something I can fix I will hold off on putting on the spring.
Click to expand...

This is picture I was trying to post and this is where air leak is coming from.

Strut_Tower 3.JPG
 
And you put soapy water on it to be sure its an air-leak? All I am saying is that the shock absorber can make a hissing sound too that sounds like air. And what you are looking at is the top of the absorber.

If you for sure have an air-leak, then yes it that seal at the top of the strut then and there is no solution know to fix it.
 
Original post on another forum:

"long story short, today i fixed my buddy's 95 , his front end was falling over a matter of an hour. so i tried everything in my power to find the leak, i heard it plain as day but could not locate it, finally i got mad and yanked the strut off to look closer, i never saw this before ever, 7 years of parting marks out, and i found the leak. most of you know the difference between 1st and 2nd gen struts, well i never knew that the top mounting plate on a second gen strut can be taken off. the 17 mm nut on the top of the mounting plate comes off and then the plate can be tapped off with a hammer. there is a huge rubber bushing pressed into the center of the top mounting plate and his was split so bad that the air was coming out of it. this bushing acts as a seal to keep the air in the bladder. well i took a mounting plate from a bad 2nd gen strut i had and put it on his strut and guess what, no leaks. i fixed it. i learned something new today. my question is, can the mounting plate for the top of a 2nd gen strut be bought by itself because i have 2 lefts and 2 rights that are in great shape, but all of them have these bushings split, and now i know thats what leaked on them, the bags are all mint , if i could get that plate for the left and right, i could make a perfect back up pair for me or for anyone! if anyone knows if it can be bought alone, please let me know. thanks."

"I'm not too sure if any part of the Gen 2 air springs are "serviceable", as Ford didnt intend to have any of them 'repaired'. Sure the unit is "modular", but many components are...best thing you could do is keep an eye on any other used ones that come through...perhaps you can steal the parts from them. Just be sure the air is out of them before attempting disassembly"
 
Converter Kit

Well if that the case of me have to find old parts to replace my old parts, I think I'll be wasting my time, I call the dealer and they say they don't service them, I have to buy the strut.

The coil converter that I order came in to day now all I have to do is put them on, take a look.
I have one question, is there a special tool I need to remove the upper control arm from the knuckle, I change those strut before but I never did separate the upper control arm from the knuckle, with these springs I have no choice.

coil_springs.jpeg
 
Is that kit from Arnott?
Wouldn't mind measuring the height of the rear springs before you install them, would you?
To seperate the front knuckle from the control arm, take the bolt out, put a chisel in the "slot", tap it with a hammer to spread it out.
 
Thank for the info, the height is about 13 inches with the rubber seating, 12 and 1/2 without the rubber seating, is there some thing I need to know.
 
I am trying to make my own setup for the rear. What is the height of the mounts?
 
If these what you are talking about, they are about 3/4 of an inch and the big stud on the left is about 1/2 inch and the one on the right is about 1/4 inch high, and they fit inside the rubber seating.

Mounts.JPG
 
You well come, tomorrow I'll try and put them on and I think tomorrow is my last chance to put them on because I will be working on the outside, The tempreture should reach in the 50s and this might be the last chance before the cold set in. If I don't get them in I have two choice, park my car for the winter or pay someone to put them in for me.
 
I got my coil converter kit in and I'm happy with it, this is some thing I should have done a long time ago. (should have listen to JC1994)

It was quite easy to do.

Took my car for a spin and the ride feel a little more bouncy and I love it. It precede my expectation.

Take a look, It is the first one I put in, the front and the rear, ain't it grate.

fited.JPG


Fitted.JPG
 
That looks good. I like the way those rear mounts look compared to the other style.
 
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