I found the Big Green Book (factory service manual) for my car online. I took a gander at the front shock absorber section. Notice anything Mo?

I sure as hell don't remember that spring bumper being on that assembly. When I get home I'm gonna pull both front wheels off and take a look. I'll be stoked if the only problem is the little piece.

Does anyone (ToyotaTechGeek, Mr.2) if having that piece missing could cause a pretty bad knocking problem on the suspension? Or what "strut notch not lined up with strut cap" means?

Here's the rest of that section.

edit: Just looked at it some more. It appears that there is a "right way" (4th from the top) for the spring seat to go. Did we pay attention to that Mo? Also, if you look at this (first pic) picture, there's some kind of directional marking there too. I'll try to check both of these things.

 

The bumper is actually to keep your strut from bottoming out. Are you running stock springs? It could cause a knock if you hit a rather large bump. I wouldn't think it would on smaller bumps though.

On my old Impreza I had an odd knock in the suspension and it ended up being the strut top was bolted down at an angle. Loosened it up reposition the top and bolted it down, good as new.

Buster
www.awdcars.com

 

yea, i kno that the spring is seated properly. that's no problem. and that bumper; i don't recall seeing that on your assm.

i swear i think your problem is that gap in the housing and the cartridge (why i could tighten the fuq outta the cap and it wouldn't meet the cartridge).

check around, and look on your website there sum more and see if you can find a detailed picture about replacing the cartridge it's self, so that we can see if ther's anything that sits on the cartridge while in the housing.