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Joined: Jun 2003
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CEG\'er
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CEG\'er
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So I was under the hood yesterday, swapping my SHO shop intake, or as I like to call it, my "hot air intake", for the stock airbox with drop-in K&N, when I noticed the plates on top of the shock tower were loose, to the point where I can move them by hand.
I have the camber kit that is advertised in the BAT catalog, along with H&R springs and BAT struts. I had it all installed last year by a reputable shop nearby, Performance Alignment. Stopped by P.A. today, obviously concerned, and the guy told me the looseness wasn't affecting the camber at all, that those plates were there to keep the suspension from falling out the bottom under full extension (if, say, the car went airborne). He put a couple wrenches on it, and it wouldn't tighten down any further. What should I do? even if that plate doesn't serve any purpose most of the time, I would think it best if it were tight...
'99 SVT Contour #535/2760, born 11/30/98. Toreador Red / Prairie Tan
Wife's car: '00 Saturn LS2. Dk. Toreador Red (no joke) / Graphite
Sunday Bruiser: '67 Camaro rs/SS350 4 spd. Ermine White / Custom Yellow
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Joined: Aug 2003
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Hard-core CEG\'er
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Hard-core CEG\'er
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Have you read the recent threads on this?
If that plate is tight, you will break something. Leave it alone!
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Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 291
CEG\'er
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CEG\'er
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 291 |
The plate you're referring to is simply a dust cover. Don't worry if it's loose, (or bent) as it will not affect the correct functioning operation of the struts.
Redcoat Raceworks. Performance parts and custom fabricating for Contours, Mystiques and Cougars. Specializing in chassis and suspension parts. Custom end links, control arms, strut tower bars, engine torque braces, etc.
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Joined: Oct 2000
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Hard-core CEG'er
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Hard-core CEG'er
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Originally posted by Auto-X Fil:
Have you read the recent threads on this?
If that plate is tight, you will break something. Leave it alone!
Hey. I hadn't seen those, either. Are we finding that the "upgraded" plates are a bad idea?
Function before fashion.
'96 Contour SE
"Toss the Contour into a corner, and it's as easy to catch as a softball thrown by a preschooler." -Edmunds, 1998
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Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 508
Veteran CEG\'er
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Veteran CEG\'er
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Listen to Auto-X and Bradness.
I f'd with mine, put them too tight, and broke the very top of the strut shaft not too long after. This happen in a turn, good think it was the turn coming out the driveway.
JD a.k.a Fingers
"Don't Panic"
'98 Contour GL 2.0L VCT ATX 88k
'98 Contour LX 2.5L MTX 120k
Street racing can kill
just less of a chance with a 2.0
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Joined: Aug 2003
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Hard-core CEG\'er
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Hard-core CEG\'er
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The upgraded plates don't hurt anything, just leave them loose. The nut that hold the plate on should torque against the nut on the strut hat, and not put pressure on the top plate when tight. It sounds like yours are just how you want them.
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CEG\'er
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OP
CEG\'er
Joined: Jun 2003
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Thanks for the prompt and constructive advice, fellas. I love this website. 
'99 SVT Contour #535/2760, born 11/30/98. Toreador Red / Prairie Tan
Wife's car: '00 Saturn LS2. Dk. Toreador Red (no joke) / Graphite
Sunday Bruiser: '67 Camaro rs/SS350 4 spd. Ermine White / Custom Yellow
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Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 3,867
Hard-core CEG'er
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Hard-core CEG'er
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Originally posted by Auto-X Fil:
The upgraded plates don't hurt anything, just leave them loose...
Which begs the question, "What's the point?"
Guess maybe the guys down at "Specialty Products" aren't as dumb as we all thought.
Function before fashion.
'96 Contour SE
"Toss the Contour into a corner, and it's as easy to catch as a softball thrown by a preschooler." -Edmunds, 1998
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Hard-core CEG'er
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Hard-core CEG'er
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...mine were loose. Then I found out that the kit had actually fallen apart.  Still have the upgraded plates though.
· Jon Miconi
· Coming Soon!
· 01 Cougar
· 98 V70R
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