Suspension Geeks: Strut mount question

[amalventano1 at tds.net (Allyn)]

> Here's a picture of what I'm thinking:
> 
> http://www.xgtgx.com/img/StrutMountMod.jpg

Would work, but you would want way higher grade bolts/nuts holding that
together. I would even consider >2 holes, possibly having the other 2 on your
lower backing plate. Strut towers take some serious shock loads in the upwards
direction.

> 1. First off, is this an accurate portrayal of how the strut 
> mount fits together?

Seems dead-on to me, though the spring perches are missing.

> 2. In the process of drawing it out, I think I debunked my 
> own idea - The spring would still have to seat on the 
> underside of the strut tower, so even if the shock were more 
> extended, the spring would not be.  Correct?

Well, the spring perch has a little taper to it, and there is some space between
the bushing and perch, so there is at least some room to use there. You have to
avoid locking the upper spring perch against the body of the car, or else the
spring will be twisted as steering occurs.

> 3. If #2 is the case, then how do camber plates with spacers work? 
> Where does the spring seat?  Is it a problem?

They usually keep the spring perch, but use a smaller (solid) spherical bearing
instead of the upper bushing+bearing assembly. This makes it smaller, and
therefore movable to some degree.

HTH
Al