I reported a problem in the thread below yesterday and think I found the problem. I don't know all the technical terms, so bear with me.

https://acurazine.com/forums/problem...nt-end-924957/

When I popped open the hood, I noticed the nut on the top of the strut on the driver's side was loosened quite a bit...see the pics below (sorry about the horrible pictures). I tightened that down, but have not yet driven it to test. Should this nut be tightened all the way down, or not?





Driver's side





Passenger side

 

I have a 2009 SH-AWD and both sides are the same length. Both the bolts on mine a bit rusty and stick out about 3/8 ths out or so.

 

typically, the bolt should be lower on the threads. How long have you owned this car? My guess is maybe someone worked on your suspension before, springs/shocks in particular and forgot to tighten it all the way. That side appears a lot more rusted than the other.

 

Yeah...I said in another thread that I had Tein coilovers put on about 6 months ago. I'm thinking the nut was never really fully tightened down because the front end feels better than it ever did after the coilovers were installed.

 

yup, it looks like the top hat is loose!

i imagine you could even tighten it on the car like that, since it's retaining load.

 

Thanks. I thought that's what it was called.

I did tighten it and all seems to be fine. Any other issues I should be concerned with?

 

^I always play; Spot the difference!

which you played very well here. good job.
every component on the car will look like the other side.
if something doesnt look like the other side; something is wrong!

because the spring and top hat was loaded; i believe you came out great!
the spring and top hat shouldnt spin under load....

a test drive will confirm if you've done it correctly!
for a smooth test ride!

 

Thanks. Have been driving it since Saturday when I tightened it down and feels better than ever. Did 90 miles to work this morning and will do another 90 home tonight, so I think I'll be good.

 

Another Acurazine community win! Too bad there's not a way to track a "total dollars saved" type of feature. Lots of trips to the dealer/mechanic are avoided because of this forum.