Originally Posted by CooperMan
Originally Posted by IvorMog
Richard, I'm with Doug on this.

Just checked my old Bilstein and there are no spacers, only rubber bushes.

Also, in the SSL instructions there is a note not to over tighten the top damper nut.

I always thought the top mounts should be left with some flex in them.I.e. "only nipped up and not crushed" (SSL's words, not mine)

Could over tightening cause the top plate problems?

Agree regarding only just nipping up top rubbers

This is a photo of the top rubbers from Spax front shocks and there is definitely a spacer visible

[Linked Image]

Thanks Jon although a little confused as to why you would not tighten down fully onto metal spacers. Your pic illustrates my earlier post regarding the SSL supplied Spax shocks, allowing a limited light compression of rubbers when fully tightened down.

Bob and Doug, the SSL instructions re not overtightening top rubbers appear to refer to the Bilsteins supplied by them in earlier RS kits and likely not updated for the Spax adjustable gas shocks now offered. The advice is still relevant to lower eye mount rubbers though which can be overtightened.

Given the universal front damper top mount plate has an enlarged hole to accommodate the metal spacers, I imagine the Bilstein's and maybe others have mount rubbers with a shoulder to fit within this hole and limit the shock spindle sliding around within? The spacer solution makes so much more sense to me though and cannot see why fully tightened they would cause my mount plate to break, as you can see the rubbers do not appear to be over compressed.

Richard

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