Anyone know the symptoms of a blown front strut (Bilstein Escort Cup). A couple of weeks ago while particapting in a local AX event and noticed a weird, kinda loose feeling in the front right side during hard cornering during the third (timed) run session. Prior to this in the last run of the second session I pushed it into this long sweeping left turn where I could almost get into third and held my speed further into the final turn. Think I held it just a little too long, back end came around (desparately tried to hold it in there) but lost it!! So tonight, I jack up the front end and noticed that the right side is hanging down further than the left by about 3". There's no play in the wheel, steering rack looks good and tight, nothing appears to be broken and/or bent. Why is this strut hanging so low?? Also, there is no fluid around the strut.
Appreciate any help/suggestions. Next AX event is 8/9

 

Open the hood and pull up on the radiator cross brace on that side to level the car; if it settles back down it's toasted for sure. Do you have lowering springs? I remember seeing a friends 944 on the freeway with a completely blown strut, lowering springs, and the wheel was hopping a good 3" at 60mph from riding only on the coil spring

 

Steve, I drove about 30 miles tonight (street & freeway) and really didn't feel anything abnormal, though I didn't drive like I would during an AX. My springs are pretty stiff (400#) so I don't know if that will work. I'm wondering if the valving is shot and that is why it sagging down. The drivers side is off the ground by a good 3", while the pass-side is just about touching the floor.

 

Did the preload adjusters\ ride high adjusters come loose? What happens when you jack the car up does the shock extend? The springs should hold the car up not the shock valving

 

400# springs will definitely support the car even with a blown strut so the lift thing won't help. It's hard to imagine a 3" drop without something being totally fubared or clunking something awful. Personally I wouldn't drive the car like that until you figure out what's up. Are the control arm mounting points all intact? Take some measurements on the good side and compare the extended strut lengths between the two sides.

 

I didn't measure the piston length, but it's obvious that the pass-side is longer. A visual inspection of the mounting points looks good. Definetly not driving it until I figure it out...I'll do side to side comparitive measurements tomorrow after work.

turbo8 - the car is on jacks now and the pass-side is hanging 3" lower than the drivers side. There's definetly more strut piston showing, which leads me to think valving. I'm not an expert in this by any means, so any advice is welcome.

 

Can you adjust the rebound dampening on these struts? If so adjust it to less dampening and see if it drops out.

can you take pictures?

 

Usually it rolls over and wants to go to sleep....

 

I knew that was coming...

Thanks Chris

 

Couldn't resist it....and then you said 'coming'...

 

oops! will that be censored?

On a serious note...have any ideas about my sitch?

 

This seems a bit odd. Are you sure you don't have any issues with the sway bar or mounting points? With the car jacked up, and the springs essentially unloaded, the swaybar itself should keep the two sides level. I'm assuming with that shock/spring combo you have bigger bars so it's shouldn't be a 3" difference from one side to another.

 

Ok, completed checking ALL connections points, strut bolts, mounts, sway bar bracket (including brace off crossbar) and it's all good. I measured the exposed strut pistons (pass-side 7.900 / driver-side 6.500) Not 3 inches, but definitely a difference. Then I got a crow bar pried each tire up about an inch and found the driver-side had more resistance up & down. The pass-side seemed to move much easier.
If this is a blown strut, can they be repaired?

 

My struts weren't exactly blown, but more so bent. My S2 had a bouncy feel with no shock to it and all around felt like a car that was slammed and riding on bump stops only. Pulled the driver strut and sure enough it is bent like crazy.

When you lost control of the car, what exactly happened. Did you run over and rough bumps or into any grass by chance?

 

Hey Cory, basically the back end just came around on me as I entered into a tighter section of a long left turn (approx. spd 55mph), started to get sideways, tried to control the side but slid off course. The course is set up on an old military runway at El Toro, surface is relatively smooth and wide open, didn't hit a thing.

What did you bend on your strut? I would imagine if the piston was bent, it would be harder to move within the strut?