deanshark

I'm gonna be changing my rear struts soon. I noticed (from underneath) the upper strut mount is no good. Just been putting the shocks off for so long and then this happened all of a sudden after parking on an incline. I get a noise when driving (5 MPH) that sounds like a flat tire and feels like a warped rotor. I've checked everything and the mount is all I saw that is bad. Would that cause that noise and feel?
Also, I've read all the threads about changing them and I also did them on my 93 but that had factory air which I changed to the quick struts. In my service manual it says to drop the exhaust pipe and remove the RH driveshaft. (The half shaft between differential and hub) I didn't do that on my 93 and nobody else has mentioned it coming out. Is there a reason the manual would say that has to come out, like for better clearance?

timmy0tool

iTrader: (7)

I never had to remove any exhaust pipe or driveshaft just to remove the rear struts.
it does help to have both rear tires off the ground (as opposed to one side up at a time) so the sway bar doesn't keep tension.

I also find it helps if you unload the bushings by loosening all the connection points at the lower control arms. don't forget to load them back again when done.
this also removes the loaded tension on the suspension so you can swing down the knuckle more easily to remove the lower shock mount.

a new upper mount should be easily attained, and there are aftermarket replacements.
bad struts, combined with suspension play from bad mounts, can certainly contribute to thumps and unwanted noise.

deanshark

Thanks man, that's everything I was thinking b/c loosening the other stuff is what I did on my 93 (factory air). Just wanted to check on that b/c a second opinion never hurts.