Hi,

I 'm trying to replace a snapped coil spring and broken top strut bearing on my 2007 Ford Fusion. The new spring and bearing is fitted to the strut and it's ready to go back on to the car ( spring compressors removed,. centre nut torqued up). I've noticed though that the strut bearing won't turn by hand, is this normal? I'm assuming that the spring is pushing against the bearing which is why it won't turn easyily. I don't want to force it to turn it by hand, to test it

Edited March 8Mar 8 by dunc12345
bad grammer

Did both of my front springs 18 months ago, and don't remember any problem. Only suggestion I can make is to refit spring compressors and gently reduce the load on the bearing and see if you can then turn the top mount.

Thanks, I'll try that. The bearings did move before I put them on the strut - they are new. The bearing and new spring look ok but I suppose with the compressed coil spring pushing against the bearing must make it hard to turn (by hand), although when its on the car it ptobably would not be an issue. It only occured to me to check it becuase those bearings are really flimsey and I don't want to put the strut back in the car to have to redo the job.

Hi,

again just did what Paulkp suggested(thanks!) and the bearing moves, removed the spring compressors and tried again and it does move. It's pretty stiff but this must be becuase it is fighting resistance against the coil spring.

I did a few google searches and I get the consensus that they are supposed to be like this.

I was just a bit worried as the bearing is a plastic housing - seems a bit of a rubbish design.

The bearings on our Fusion fell apart when dismantled - very flimsy !

Hi, the front springs on the fusion are heavy duty, certainly not the same as a fiesta.

Yes the top mount bearing will turn by hand, but the compression force will make it very difficult.

The movement of that bearing whilst driving is nothing more than a couple of mils, it's use is mainly steering.

Hard to think it's a load of nylon plastic holding some bearings.

Currently doing another project (Mk5 fiesta S) the suspension was all original Inc top mounts (motor craft)

They either last or fall apart, the milage is 137,000 miles, but I've replaced everything underneath.

My 2007 Zetec S has just had a significant suspension rebuild after a second broken spring 115k miles- Ford springs and dampers don't seem to be available, so ended up with Eibachs and Sachs, new bump stops, bearings etc. Too cold and wet for me to do it on the drive !!!!