On my Datsun the nut that holds the damper rod in the spherical bearing on the camber plate assembly turns with the steering. Only the right side strut does this. These are ubiquitous 280ZX coil overs that most Datsun people use.
I’ve lubed the bearing plate that the spherical bearing housing rides on. The gland nut that holds down the damper/strut insert in the housing is tight, the damper itself is also held tight (no up and down play). When off the car the bearing appears to be doing its job.
It is possible that the damper rod is simply spinning inside the tube.
My cause for concern; a little over a year ago we noticed the gland nut had worked itself loose, not wanting to disassemble the whole strut trackside I simple used a chisel to spin the nut tight (high tech I know) The nut held and I did a few more events with it.
Saturday it occurred to me to check it and sure enough it had worked loose again. When I originally assembled them I had to put a .25” steel washer underneath the tube (I use MR2 inserts which are .25 shorter than the housing).
My thoughts are as the insert was bouncing up and down inside the housing the flange on the bottom of the insert has been pounded just enough that I now have a few thousandths clearance. While the insert has no up and down play, there is just enough that the whole insert is spinning and there is also just enough friction between the top of the insert and the gland nut that the insert ever so slowly get worked loose.
SO do I simply keep an eye on it or do I need to take it back apart again and recheck everything? I’d be happier if it didn’t do this but honestly can’t say that the gland nut working loose and the damper rod spinning are related. Do note that I pound over the kerbs mercilessly with the car and I’m more inclined to believe that is the cause. The right side of the car takes most of the abuse.
