I mail ordered and installed a set of name brand strut assemblies for the front of an older Camry. The struts have about 15,000 miles in 1.5 years and I believe have a lifetime warranty.
When you put a socket on the top center nut on one of the struts, the piston rod will not turn at all (up to about 35 ft. lbs. - I didn't want to push any further to risk damage). On the other side, the piston rod turns almost freely (measured at around 30 inch/#'s, or basically you can turn the nut with one finger on my ratchet.) So there is a very significant difference b/t the two struts.
Thinking that this strut's center nut was just loose, I purchased a tool so that I was able to hold the center rod in a fixed position while tightening down that top center nut. I was very surprised to find the nut was already torqued tight, and didn't take or need any further tightening.
On the side that spins freely, I can get just a bit of a rattle noise by reaching in and shaking the strut spring, but it's not enough to be noticing it in most driving conditions.
Can anyone explain why there would be this noticeable difference in the two struts?
And, does this indicate the strut has failed in some way and needs to be repaired or replaced - like it's broken loose from a mount, bushing or something ?
When you put a socket on the top center nut on one of the struts, the piston rod will not turn at all (up to about 35 ft. lbs. - I didn't want to push any further to risk damage). On the other side, the piston rod turns almost freely (measured at around 30 inch/#'s, or basically you can turn the nut with one finger on my ratchet.) So there is a very significant difference b/t the two struts.
Thinking that this strut's center nut was just loose, I purchased a tool so that I was able to hold the center rod in a fixed position while tightening down that top center nut. I was very surprised to find the nut was already torqued tight, and didn't take or need any further tightening.
On the side that spins freely, I can get just a bit of a rattle noise by reaching in and shaking the strut spring, but it's not enough to be noticing it in most driving conditions.
Can anyone explain why there would be this noticeable difference in the two struts?
And, does this indicate the strut has failed in some way and needs to be repaired or replaced - like it's broken loose from a mount, bushing or something ?