Original strut mounts maybe bad

[LowR3V'in]

just changing some parts i assume these are original

check out the wear on the hat.
Perhaps the reason it always pulled to the right even after alignment.
Some binding, deforming. all bad.
Thought it would be an interesting share.






29years by jet jones, on Flickr
Udidurjob by jet jones, on Flickr
Binding? by jet jones, on Flickr

[AndrewBird]

That's all pretty normal in my experience. The mounts deform like that in a matter of months.

Spring hat has some wear, but only the paint is missing. There is supposed to be a washer in there between it and the strut mount to keep them from touching. I've seen aftermarket mounts though that the crimp spots holding the bearing in stick up too far and rub the perch.

Always check that the bearing spins freely when everything is assembled before you put the strut assembly in the car.

[LowR3V'in]

i guess. just looks like that's not supposed to happen.
the hat you can see the metal ring around the bearing was gouging the hat pretty bad.
anyway hope this fixes my pulling issue. maybe not.



so the washer goes between the hat and the bearing but i got 4.
2 for each side. where does the other one go? nut side?

Where? by jet jones, on Flickr

[Blackout]

Those washers are meant to be used with IE camber plates.
Since you are using stock strut mounts, you will need thicker washers than that as seen in pic below (2nd stack from the far left).

[AndrewBird]

^What he said.

Goes:

Nut #5
Small diameter washer #4
Upper strut mount
Dust shield #7
Large diameter washer #8
Upper spring perch

See here:

http://www.realoem.com/bmw/enUS/showparts?id=1113-USA-06-1987-E30-BMW-325i&diagId=31_0211

[LowR3V'in]

oh shit.
thanks for the heads up.

[325e '87]

I just rebuilt my struts and I can confirm, get those washers and grease covers oriented right. You can tell by feel if the washers make the bearing bind up.

My only problem is that the original plastic bearing caps don’t fit my new top hats. I’m not sure why or what to do. I just put some gorilla tape over them as a temp covering.