Pillowball Maintenance

[Hungryhippo]

Just fitted pillowball strut tops and in the paperwork that came with them it says they need regular maintenance but doesnt say what is involved in doing the maintenance. Im guessing just a bit of light oil around the ball is about all thats required. Anyone have any info? Also how long should I expect them to last before they need replacing?

Cheers

[Sydneykid]

Just fitted pillowball strut tops and in the paperwork that came with them it says they need regular maintenance but doesnt say what is involved in doing the maintenance. Im guessing just a bit of light oil around the ball is about all thats required. Anyone have any info? Also how long should I expect them to last before they need replacing?

Cheers

Remove the spring/shock units from the car

Remove the strut tops from the spring/shock units

Wash the strut tops in kero

Dry thoroughly with compressed air

Make sure there is no dust, grit or dirt in the spherical bearingss

Lubricate with white (moly) grease

Check the operation, if loose, with free play, then replace the spherical bearings

If smooth in operation

Replace the strut tops on the spring/shock units

Replace the spring/shock units into the car

cheers

[Hungryhippo]

cheers.how often should I do that?

[Sydneykid]

cheers.how often should I do that?

We do it after every race meeting, so 8 times a year.

For a road car, every time you do an engine oil change should cover it.

cheers

[(B1) MR_fanny]

that would mean you'd have to get a wheel alighnment every time yes no?

[Ronin 09]

wouldn't have thought so on a skyline as they are double wishbone not macpherson strut

[Hungryhippo]

my car has macpherson struts

[Ronin 09]

oh ok, thought it was going on a skyline...

i guess if you were to line everything up again the same on the strut tops you should be right on alignment, but to make sure it hasn't changed I would think an alignment check would be good