Front strut question, Loose cap on top of strut Options

[Chad911sc]

I am restoring my 74 2.0 and when I purchased it about one year ago, it drove pretty good. I didn’t notice any weird or loose steering other than the bearing in my steering shaft which I’ve already replaced. When I shake the car I can hear a rattling sound coming from the top of the strut. I can reach my hand in between the fender and the top of the tire and rattle the top cap of the strut against the side of the strut itself. The rubber at the top of the strut inside the hood looks ok, but I’m not sure what needs replaced to tighten this up. If I remember from my 911sc it has a couple rubber nubs inside the top cap. I know they are not exactly the same, but close in design. Not sure if this is the problem…any ideas??

[Superhawk996]

You’re not going to like the answer.

1) The strut rod cover is jacked. It should be resting on the shoulder on the strut rod (circled) and moving with the strut rod. Hole looks like it has been enlarged and is allowing the cover to slide up/down the strut rod. This is why you felt it loose and jangling even before you loosened the top nut and lowered the strut out.

2) the strut rod is jacked - there is rust on the rod. That along with the cover sliding on it will have worn out the strut seals - probably leaking internal to the strut. Sort of surprised I don’t see oil on the outside of the strut though (IMG:style_emoticons/default/idea.gif) Personally, I’d replace the struts just based on the rusted rod.

Time for new struts and find a new strut rod cover.