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mk2 strut tops

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the_cheese
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2013/01/28 22:51:23 (permalink)
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mk2 strut tops

Hi guys,
 
as some of you know I rebuilt my front end suspension recently. I did not replace the strut tops and it looks like they are actually cactus. SO im looking for a new strut top solution. At the moment I'm trying to work out if I've got small or large strut top mounts. I've taken these measurements below
 
 
Built 10/1977
Distance from strut top bolt to strut top bolt - 96.3mm (centre of bolt)
Diameter of strut top hole itself 87mm
 
I'm guessing this means I've got the small top mounts - but my measurements don't match up with the ones on the burton products!
Can anyone shed light on the dilemma?
 
With thanks
 
Nick 
#1


11 Replies Related Threads

    ratta tat tat
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    Re:mk2 strut tops 2013/01/29 00:43:17 (permalink)
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    Hi Nick.
    The measurements are PCD so a measurement between bolts won't be correct. This diagram should explain it

    #2
    Paul Dunstan
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    Re:mk2 strut tops 2013/01/29 07:47:16 (permalink)
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    Yes - you have the small strut top - approx 110mm PCD from my measurements.

    Cheers

    Paul
    #3

    Matt75
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    Re:mk2 strut tops 2013/01/29 17:34:15 (permalink)
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    MK2's changed to small holes after 1976 if I remember correctly.
     
    K-Mac do a number of strut tops for diferrent requirements.
     
    Cheers,
     
    Matt

     
    My 4 door MK II Resto
    http://www.classic-ford.org/cfp/tm.aspx?m=37623

    RS Owners Club Victoria Committee Member - http://rsocvic.com/
     
     
    #4
    the_cheese
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    Re:mk2 strut tops 2013/01/30 01:25:44 (permalink)
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    Hi guys,
     
    thanks for the reply. I can now confidently say I've got the small tops.
     
    I called around a bit today and wilkonsons can offer me their tops for $420, k-mac apparently stopped doing stage 1 tops for the mk2 small hole and only offer the stage 2 - at $480 plus $25 postage!
     
    Cos I'm not keen on spending almost half a grand on tops, I called up burtons.
     
    Keep in mind this car is really a road car and may in the distant future come across a few days on track once I get a decent pinto in there.
     
    To make sure we are all on the same page, i am running 2 ltr struts atm (the old kent engine is still in there tho). I have adjustable TCAs, so camber adjustment is no problem, and I am looking at getting an adjustable kmac sway bar so some positive castor adjustment will also be possible.
     
    Anways, burtons says, when looking at non-adj strut tops, with my small hole setup I should look at this unit:
     
    http://www.burtonpower.co...cort-02-77-mp1115.html
     
    If I am willing to modify my inner wing and convert to large holes, I could go these:
     
    http://www.burtonpower.co...-mount-each-mp179.html
     
    What I like about the MP179s, is they are rubber mounted and should therefore be a bit more forgiving!
     
    Anyone had experience with the MP1115 rose jointed types suitable for the small hole?? Do they make a noticeably (negative) difference to shock absorption and road noise?
     
    Right now it is a toss up between the direct fit with presumably harsher ride or a bit of modification work and a softer ride.. opinions please!
     
     
    Cheers!
     
    Nick 
    #5
    Matt75
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    Re:mk2 strut tops 2013/01/30 09:44:36 (permalink)
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    Hi mate,
     
    I'd go for the ease of fitment one.  We are talking about an Escort here not a Rolls Royce so no matter which ones you get the ride will still be noisy anway and I'd be surprised if it makes any differnce at all. 
     
    If it's a daily driver then maybe get the softer ones but given you have some track day plans in the future then i'd go the rose jointed ones.
     
    I have the solid K-Mac race ones and on their own they haven't made much difference.
    other than tightening everything up.
     
    Cheers,
     
    Matt
     
     

     
    My 4 door MK II Resto
    http://www.classic-ford.org/cfp/tm.aspx?m=37623

    RS Owners Club Victoria Committee Member - http://rsocvic.com/
     
     
    #6

    79Escort
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    Re:mk2 strut tops 2013/01/30 11:39:23 (permalink)
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    I have the same issue Nick, have you considered the eccentric ones? Thats what i was planning on getting
     
    http://www.burtonpower.com/parts-by-fitment-type/parts-by-car-model-ford/ford-escort/eccentric-rose-jointed-top-mount-mk2-escort-02-77-mp161.html
     
    They appealed to me because of the extra castor adjustment i could gain. Ive got a Kmac bar already and more castor on top of that wont be a bad thing in my opinion.
     
    Ryan
    #7
    the_cheese
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    Re:mk2 strut tops 2013/02/05 01:11:39 (permalink)
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    Thanks for the tips guys.
     
    I wont be going for concentric types as I believe they are only suitable for coilover setups.
     
    I've decided to keep my sanity and stick to small hole type for simplicity's sake!
     
    I will be going for the MP1115 unit from Burtons. People, if you are not completely sure of a burtons item you are looking at, don't hesitate to give em a ring in the UK!! They have some very knowledgable guys working the phones!
     
    Thanks once again!
     
     
    #8
    the_cheese
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    Re:mk2 strut tops 2013/05/30 00:26:06 (permalink)
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    A belated update -
     
    I ended up modding the strut top mount to take the large hole strut tops with the spherical bearing..
     
    http://www.burtonpower.co...-mount-each-mp179.html
     
    A bit of work and painting and you couldnt tell they arent factory.
     
    THe tops themselves are great, but be warned they do increase the ride height on escorts by 1 inch. From what I understand, these units were originally designed for the cortinas.
    #9
    RS 2000
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    Re:mk2 strut tops 2013/05/30 00:44:00 (permalink)
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    Can anyone confirm if mp1115 tops increase ride height??

    Cheers
    #10
    frogscort
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    Re:mk2 strut tops 2013/05/30 00:57:30 (permalink)
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    i have the eccentrics and coilover , a bit harsher and noisier but a good thing, instead of the swaybar i would go a tension strut kit or compression strut kit. a lot more stable under breaking and no chance of castor change , just modify the standard swaybar to run a drop link kit
     
    #11
    bubbahardy
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    Re:mk2 strut tops 2015/11/30 09:58:23 (permalink)
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    hi i am planning on doing something similar can you tell me what you had to mod on your inner wing's to get these to fit ie will it fit through the center hole or do you have to make it larger and if so by how much also did you move the mounting holes or did you grind off the captive nuts and drill new holes in the mount any pics would really help cheers
    #12
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