Richard, I'm not saying that over tightening definitively did break the top plate but over tightening the top bush will put extra stress into the top plate.

If you think of the movement of the damper, the bottom mount attached to the stub axle moves through a significant arc when steering. The top mount is fixed to the cross head so it can't move.

As the bottom mount swings around the arc, if the top mount is tight it will put a bending stress into that top plate and also into the rod of the damper.

All of course IMHO and ready to be proven wrong.

Also, The wording of the SSL instructions specifically mentions the Spax damper in the same paragraph as the not crushing statement.

Last edited by IvorMog; 02/06/23 10:00 AM.
Bob

2009 Black Roadster
1999 4/4 2 litre Zetec