diy strut top hat

[Juzzpc]

just wanting to know, as i installed my coilovers and i'm not happy with the gap on the top of the strut tower, with the hat sitting a few cm above being flush. even though i've read countless threads saying it's normal and it's fine. my dad is sorta eh about it, and i'd rather it being flush and looking right!

would it be non advisable to cut my top hat down abit a weld a huge washer onto it so it's not as deep, i have ALOT of tools at my house, so equiptment is not an issue,, hopefully... my dad was also a welder for many years so he has some knowledge.. question is.

can i cut it to half the depth and make that sit flush, because atm the top hat is bottoming out on the nut holding the top bush down.
this is from another thread for a polo or something but that's sort of what i'm talking about, a more shallow top hat.



help help

[Special Air Service]

I don't see why you cant do it, as long as the welding is decent.

You'll have to be careful of the rubber lip though as the metal hat has 3 or 4 small hole in it that the rubber is molded through if I remember correctly.

I know how you feel about the big gap, mine has similar issues even after replacing the top mounts. But one of my hats is shaped slightly different to the other so I get an uneven gap as well.

these are my hats








Although if yours is a later golf or a vr6 then I think your caps will have 4 ribs pressed into them which would make it a bit harder again.

[UKDavo]

When I first replaced my top mounts I had a huge gap, big enough that I could fit my finger in with extra room.

I pressed up and down on the front of the car, replicating sump bumps and the gap literally reduced to less than a finger.

I think the drivers side is approx. 2/3 of a finger and the passenger is 1/3.

[stefcio007]

When I first replaced my top mounts I had a huge gap, big enough that I could fit my finger in with extra room.

I pressed up and down on the front of the car, replicating sump bumps and the gap literally reduced to less than a finger.

I think the drivers side is approx. 2/3 of a finger and the passenger is 1/3.

Maybe they just need time to wear in properly or something?

[Juzzpc]

When I first replaced my top mounts I had a huge gap, big enough that I could fit my finger in with extra room.

I pressed up and down on the front of the car, replicating sump bumps and the gap literally reduced to less than a finger.

I think the drivers side is approx. 2/3 of a finger and the passenger is 1/3.

sump bumps?


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[UKDavo]

sump bumps?


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Speed Bumps! Damn iPhone!

[anthony--t]

If you install them right then you shouldn't have any problems? I would double check all the parts are in the correct orders. Nothing should need to be modified / welded etc