Heard a clunking sound and found this (Pics) Need help

[gverelli]

I pulled off my wheel to find this dangling around, not really sure what it is called. I checked the other side and its screwed in all the way down, so I tried to screw this side in and the threads are completely mangled that it just won't catch. My guess is the threads it goes into are flattened as well. Therefore, with my luck I will have to dismantle everything and buy a new piece (whatever it is called). Is it bad to drive it as is for another month because the car is going away at the end of September and I would prefer to start dismantling while it is in storage rather than doing it now, because my winter car is far from ready. Any info would be great on where to buy a new piece like this, and tell me what this actually screws into, and the proper term for it.

Thanks for the help!

[FunfGan]

I forget the exact term for it, but it screws into your hub to keep the shock in place.

[jlevie]

It is called a gland nut. You might have a chance of getting it back into the strut housing with the strut off the car and the spring and upper strut mount removed.

[gverelli]

Ok thanks for the info, in terms of safety is there any danger in blowing a shock or anything as such??

if worse comes to worse can I buy a new gland nut somewhere?

Thanks again.

[Holland]

I would say so, considering that is what keeps the shock in the strut housing.

[jlevie]

+1

I'd say the car is down and can't be driven until that is fixed.

[Philo]

Definitely non-operable. With GCs, you should be able to buy a new gland nut from them. Yours doesn't look too terrible though. I would check the threads on the inside of the strut housing to make sure they aren't ruined.

If they are fine, get a new gland nut, jack up the car, remove wheel, remove strut mount, pull out spring, install new gland nut, re-assemble.

If the threads inside the housing are destroyed, remove the whole strut assembly, buy a new (used) one, and swap the suspension stuff over.

[gverelli]

^ Perfect thanks for the info. I will have to take it apart this week then. Im praying that the threads are fine or else it will be very inconvenient swapping the new stuff over to a new strut considering I will have to cut off the collar and m3 tab and have it welded back on the new strut by a garage. FML.
Another issue is that it is not a GC kit, but a C3 Motorsport kit that I bought second hand, and I have no clue whether a GC gland will fit, however Im guessing it should?

[Holland]

If those are the stock housings, then yes.

[Philo]

Another issue is that it is not a GC kit, but a C3 Motorsport kit that I bought second hand, and I have no clue whether a GC gland will fit, however Im guessing it should?

The gland nuts are specific to the insert. Bilsteins are different from konis for example. Whenever you order the gland nut you will need to specify what damper is being used (GC should be able to sell you one.)

Make sure the gland nut is the problem first though.

[gverelli]

Ok, sorry to bump this up but the time has come to fix this because the car is coming out in 2 weeks.

I called GC and they cannot do anything, will not sell separate parts, will not rebuild them, will not sell me just the front set, zip.

So, I don't really know anywhere else to go to find the parts, or even know what to order. Does a new gland nut come with a new insert together? Are they sold separately?
At least if I know what to buy exactly I will have a shop do it here for me

Edit: forgot to mention its running konis

Any help will be great,
thanks

[jlevie]

The gland nut for a Koni shock is the OE gland nut. So there is no problem in getting one, if you need one. Pull the strut, break it down and check the threads on the gland nut and strut housing. They may be okay, in which case you can run the gland nut back in, reassemble the strut, and re-install it.

[gverelli]

The gland nut for a Koni shock is the OE gland nut. So there is no problem in getting one, if you need one. Pull the strut, break it down and check the threads on the gland nut and strut housing. They may be okay, in which case you can run the gland nut back in, reassemble the strut, and re-install it.

Thanks for the help, I will take it apart and check to see if it goes back in,
I apologize for my ignorance, but Im still not sure where to get this gland nut and insert, I think the insert will be ruined too, this is why I think its not just a gland nut I need...

[gverelli]

Is this it?

http://www.koniracing.com/sleeves.cfm

[ZekeTheSneak]

lower coilover completely. so it can bounce around. unloosen top bolt for strut and loosen sway bar. should be able to angle the strut out from under the fender.