Strut spacer?

[alpinems]

I'm doing some cleaning up of the subframe and struts, getting ready to put my motor back in the car. This is the only '02 I know so I have nothing to compare it with. But from looking at some diagrams of stock struts, it looks like mine has some sort of spacer attached to the top of the strut.

Am I right? So anybody know why? Or can identify it? Thanks!

[Koblenz]

Not the resident expert and I'm sure others wil chime in. I believe the US versions had them as stock. To my knowledge they are not needed and most owners remove them.

[alpinems]

Not the resident expert and I'm sure others wil chime in. I believe the US versions had them as stock. To my knowledge they are not needed and most owners remove them.

Interesting as my car is an Euro, imported in the last 15-20 years. So somebody added them along the way.

[c.d.iesel]

remove that aluminum spacer and either use as

paper weight, or install on top of the inner fender

to take up the long exposed mount studs and act as a reinforcement

for the inner fender

important order of the washers!

[c.d.iesel]

(nt)

[alpinems]

Thanks C.D.

[Napes]

Don't know why the spacers would have been on a Euro-spec car, as they were added on the US cars to raise the front end enough to get the headlights to meet the Federally-mandated headlight height. In order to bring the front end down a little and decrease the space between the fender lip and top of the front tire, most people have moved the alum. spacer up to the top of the fender (as c.d. mentioned) or removed them completely.

Bob Napier

[alpinems]

Don't know why the spacers would have been on a Euro-spec car, as they were added on the US cars to raise the front end enough to get the headlights to meet the Federally-mandated headlight height. In order to bring the front end down a little and decrease the space between the fender lip and top of the front tire, most people have moved the alum. spacer up to the top of the fender (as c.d. mentioned) or removed them completely.

Bob Napier

My guess is they were added when it was imported and they added all the useless stuff like the federated side and rear markers and reflectors, etc. They even removed the euro turn signals for US ones (shame!) When I bought the car somebody in the past has removed the front grilles and replaced with the black plastic ones from a later car - they were going for the turbo look.

[tim385]

They were also on the 74-on Australian delivered cars as well.

[02Les]

Not the resident expert and I'm sure others wil chime in. I believe the US versions had them as stock. To my knowledge they are not needed and most owners remove them.

These spacers (two different sizes) were fitted to all '02s, Euro & USA. Also fitted to E3 & E9 cars I believe.

The actual reason for them is still with the jury.

[Preyupy]

Look carefully guys, the stud out of the top is not aligned with the head of the bolt from under the strut bearing flange. THOSE ARE THE NON ADJUSTABLE STYLE NEGITIVE CAMBER PLATES! Plus they are not thick enough to be the spacers they used on the US car for headlight height compliance.

[02Les]

Look carefully guys, the stud out of the top is not aligned with the head of the bolt from under the strut bearing flange. THOSE ARE THE NON ADJUSTABLE STYLE NEGITIVE CAMBER PLATES! Plus they are not thick enough to be the spacers they used on the US car for headlight height compliance.

Well spotted!

[alpinems]

Look carefully guys, the stud out of the top is not aligned with the head of the bolt from under the strut bearing flange. THOSE ARE THE NON ADJUSTABLE STYLE NEGITIVE CAMBER PLATES! Plus they are not thick enough to be the spacers they used on the US car for headlight height compliance.

Well I'm glad I asked after all! Thanks for the closer look.

[c.d.iesel]

eye EYE! indeed!!

now install so top of strut is canted inward

for Neg. Camber. Leave those where they are!