Strut top mount notch orientation

[Min Ahn]

I've installed my lowering springs following the video installation guide by CJ Pony Parts

and as the dude pulls out the spring, I see that the notch on the top mount is facing the engine bay,

but when he puts it back in, it's facing outward.

Can somebody who never touched their suspension check which orientation the strut mount notch is facing?

It can be observed by looking upward inside the fender with the wheel turned to the side.

This is the diagram that @aleccolin posted in other thread but looks like some peoples' cars didn't come this way from the factory.


Thanks in advance!​

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[WD Pro]

If that diagram can be trusted then look at the bar code decal position and the size of the area it sits on compared to the other positions

WD

 

[Min Ahn]

I just went down stairs to the parking lot to see how other S550 looks like and it appears this is the correct orientation.

Please tell me if I'm wrong.​

 

[aleccolin]

The notch is supposed to go inboard, see page 7, step 2.5.1 of this document from Ford.

https://performanceparts.ford.com/download/instructionsheets/FORDINSTSHTM-FR3A-M8.PDF

The strut towers are asymmetrical so that the same upper strut mount can be used on both sides. One part number is cheaper than two. Getting it wrong will primarily affect caster, which won't necessarily fuck your handling, but it may not align within spec.

I have no doubt that some units were installed wrong by the factory, but mine came out notch in.

 

[Min Ahn]

The notch is supposed to go inboard, see page 7, step 2.5.1 of this document from Ford.

https://performanceparts.ford.com/download/instructionsheets/FORDINSTSHTM-FR3A-M8.PDF

The strut towers are asymmetrical so that the same upper strut mount can be used on both sides. One part number is cheaper than two. Getting it wrong will primarily affect caster, which won't necessarily fuck your handling, but it may not align within spec.

I have no doubt that some units were installed wrong by the factory, but mine came out notch in.

You’re a legend. Thank you. I too think not every cars are assembled correctly. *ford feature*

 

[Albertcado]

The notch is supposed to go inboard, see page 7, step 2.5.1 of this document from Ford.

https://performanceparts.ford.com/download/instructionsheets/FORDINSTSHTM-FR3A-M8.PDF

The strut towers are asymmetrical so that the same upper strut mount can be used on both sides. One part number is cheaper than two. Getting it wrong will primarily affect caster, which won't necessarily fuck your handling, but it may not align within spec.

I have no doubt that some units were installed wrong by the factory, but mine came out notch in.

how does it affect caster if the notch isn't facing inward?

 

[Albertcado]

The notch is supposed to go inboard, see page 7, step 2.5.1 of this document from Ford.

https://performanceparts.ford.com/download/instructionsheets/FORDINSTSHTM-FR3A-M8.PDF

The strut towers are asymmetrical so that the same upper strut mount can be used on both sides. One part number is cheaper than two. Getting it wrong will primarily affect caster, which won't necessarily fuck your handling, but it may not align within spec.

I have no doubt that some units were installed wrong by the factory, but mine came out notch in.

Please explain, I don't see how the way the notch faces changes the way the strut sits or is angled, isn't it all the same whichever way the "notch" faces? I don't think mine have both facing notch inward, it looks more like the pic @Min Ahn posted which he saw on other s550s and my front alignment caster has never been off...

 

[Albertcado]

You’re a legend. Thank you. I too think not every cars are assembled correctly. *ford feature*

Did you move them to face inward and did it make a difference or same thing?

 

[Albertcado]

You’re a legend. Thank you. I too think not every cars are assembled correctly. *ford feature*

Did you ever take apart and move the mounts so the notches face inward? Did it make a difference..? I'm hearing from some that it doesn't matter since there's no offset or anything like that in the middle hole and it's even centered between the studs. I also noticed my car did not come all notches inward from factory.

 

[Albertcado]

I just went down stairs to the parking lot to see how other S550 looks like and it appears this is the correct orientation.

Please tell me if I'm wrong.​

I don't think it mattes tbh. Mine came with notches in random spots like this. 2 other reps from Steeda also confirmed it doesn't matter. The top hat has no offset so it's flat whichever way it's installed. the studs are all equal distances from the center hole.

 

[WD Pro]

The notch is supposed to go inboard, see page 7, step 2.5.1 of this document from Ford.

https://performanceparts.ford.com/download/instructionsheets/FORDINSTSHTM-FR3A-M8.PDF

The strut towers are asymmetrical so that the same upper strut mount can be used on both sides. One part number is cheaper than two. Getting it wrong will primarily affect caster, which won't necessarily fuck your handling, but it may not align within spec.

I have no doubt that some units were installed wrong by the factory, but mine came out notch in.

Hhhhmmm, unless I am missing something, it's interesting when the text they quote :

Doesn't line up with the picture at the side of the text :

Which appears to be exactly as the factory assembled mine :

?

WD

 

[Albertcado]

Hhhhmmm, unless I am missing something, it's interesting when the text they quote :

Doesn't line up with the picture at the side of the text :

Which appears to be exactly as the factory assembled mine :

?

WD

That picture doesn't really show the notch and where it is actually facing lol.
You can only tell which way the notch is by looking at the strut from the bottom. Are you sure your notches are facing the engine bay on both driver/passenger sides? Whichever way it goes on it will always look the same from the top which is why I'm like... how would it matter or cause an issue. The mount is triangular and flat with equal stud distances from center hole lol.

 

[WD Pro]

Ah OK, I thought the notches were what you can see through the strut hole in the body shell

WD

 

[Albertcado]

Hhhhmmm, unless I am missing something, it's interesting when the text they quote :

Doesn't line up with the picture at the side of the text :

Which appears to be exactly as the factory assembled mine :

?

WD

Is this an actual picture of your passenger side strut? can you show me a picture of your driver side too? you can actually tell which way the notches are facing by looking at those 2 slits in the center hole. My passenger side is similar, the notch is facing the engine bay. Driver side the notch is not facing engine bay.

This picture matches your picture, can you send me a picture of your driver side strut?

 

[Albertcado]

Ah OK, I thought the notches were what you can see through the strut hole in the body shell

WD

if your driver side has the notch facing the engine bay, it should look like this, you can tell by the little slits in the middle hole, they should look like 1:30 on a clock, if it isn't like this that means the notch is facing some other side.

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