Hi all and merry Christmas

I’ve finally got round to sorting my Fiesta front suspension.  Springs and shocks were shot both sides, hence got new Sachs bits - shocks, springs, bearings mounts etc.  So, I now have two assembled legs to fit.  Here’s the thing, I’m looking at the top of the top mounts and wondering what (clock) position they should be in.  I'd copy the installed position, but not sure the monkey that installed them did the right thing.

There’s nothing in the Haynes manual about what the arrow markings/tabs on the mounts mean or how/if they relate to spring position or body of the car.  I’ve looked a lot online and come up clueless.  Anyone know if orientation matters on this model or where I could find out?  Picture attached.

Cheers

I’ve really tried to find out which way round these go, but so far nothing conclusive.  FYI, the mount holes in the body are with one stud forward of the other two, and the two studs to the rear of that are parallel with the firewall (i.e. Flying “V” formation).  If anyone has at least got a best guess, I would be very grateful, thanks.

Was going to suggest this link, but I get the feeling it's you LOL

https://www.honestjohn.co.uk/forum/post/159724/fiesta-mk5-2002--

 

I don't actually know (and have fitted a few to Mk6s over the years!) but would put the tab to the back and the arrows facing forward.

Whatever you choose, I'd 'match' the pair so that they're the same both sides.  That way if it does change the camber slightly, at least it'll be even across the front.

I’ve really tried to find out which way round these go, but so far nothing conclusive.  FYI, the mount holes in the body are with one stud forward of the other two, and the two studs to the rear of that are parallel with the firewall (i.e. Flying “V” formation).  If anyone has at least got a best guess, I would be very grateful, thanks.

15 minutes ago, StephenFord said:

I get the feeling it's you

Oh that’s so nice you looked though, cheers.  Yeah, Joe might be right and I was going to go with just flipping a coin.  After that I read that although the 3 studs are equidistant from the piston centre (I guess that’s what we’re terming symmetrical) the mount can also be slightly wedge shaped and even have a difference in rubber squishiness on one side.  I think this is to account for the way the spring sits on the top seat.  I should have had a super close look at the new mounts before I installed the spring on them as this has obviously changed their “out of the box” shape, so I can’t tell now to compare.  The hunt goes on…

The 'tab' is only there for manufacturing purposes, and the arrow is to indicate the rotation of tightening the plate to the top of the shock absorber. The complete strut can be mounted in any orientation it makes no difference with this model, hence the 3 studs are equally spaced.

You might find this video of interest (turn the music down).

 

@Unofix I saw that video too, but right at the point the strut is reinstalled, the camera does not pick up at all what orientation is is located. Still, your explanation shows why - no point!

Yes if you note when the plate is fitted as it is re-assembled it is held on by the nut on top of the shock absorber, it's orientation with regards to the rest of the assembly is purely random.

The tab is there because the plate is a cast item and is from the 'pour' position when being made.

44 minutes ago, unofix said:

makes no difference with this model

Sorry, been away trying to drop the tank of the other half’s KA.  Holy cow, what a mare, I think I need to lower the damned exhaust to do it.  Anyway back to the subject:

Tom’s – Fair point, for an “if in doubt” strategy, cheers.

Uno – That’s very enlightening, brilliant, thanks!  That’s funny, I’ve I also have been trying to freeze frame that vid to see if I can work it out.  Yeah, I might put that music on a loop and listen to while working on the car, so sooner I finish, sooner I can turn it off : - )

Thanks all for pitching in, I can free up my axle stands for the other job now I can get his new legs back on.