I was doing my front pads, and decided I needed to replace the struts. 04 Cav, 115,000 miles, wasn't making any weird noises at all, just felt tired.
I bought struts all the way around, didn't really have any issues with them, went pretty smooth.
But, now I've got a loud rattle coming from somewhere, sounds like the front passenger side, but I can't pinpoint it.
I can only hear it at lower speeds while hitting bumps, but it doesn't take much (could tell driving through a grass front yard) and it doesn't seem to make noise at over 35-40.
The ride feels fine, turning feels fine. I can't get it to do it while stopped. I double checked everything as much as possible without pulling it all off again, all the nuts were tight, strut was tight to car. They felt solid before I stuck them back in.
I also checked the big nut the holds the shaft (had to) on the front end, both sides were tight. I'll have to pull the back to double check it but both felt tight when I put them on.

I do know the covers are loose at the bottoms as there was no place to attach them to the new struts. They don't seem to be able to rattle enough to make this loud of a sound though.

I didn't replace any other parts, the rubbers at the end of the springs are old but still one piece and not too bad looking. I used all the other parts off the old struts.

One other thing, the new struts came with their own nuts that attach to the shaft, and the new one is a bigger size, but still not as wide as the bottom half of the original. The original won't thread onto the new strut..

Sorry for the extra post, couldn't figure out how to edit.

Figured out the problem.....

The shaft nut (what is it actually called? I feel like a perv) is not tight enough and with enough down pressure on the car it will come up almost a quarter inch.
Problem is, I can't get it to tighten anymore. I think it may be to the end of the threads already. I can't actually see if this is the case unless I take em back off.
I'm guessing a spacer of some kind needs to go in there.

Can I take off that nut without removing the strut or is the cars weight not enough to keep the spring from pushing the shaft back out of the hole? Or should I try something else first?
The struts are Gabriels of some kind I think (from Autozone), anyone used them have a similar problem?

glad to help!


04 Cav. 2dr. 5spd. My DD. 'Nuff said.

lol was just the help I needed too. Thanks!