small front installation problem

[06JeepXKHEMI]

" Strut-Mate mounting kits can include*: Strut Mount, Bearing, Upper Spring Isolator, Lower Spring Isolator, or Upper Spring Seat. (*as applicable by OE design)"

Id be pissed to but it clearly states can include, but in item description is lists only 1 isolator.. I wouldnt recommend running without isolators on any vehicle, they are available for a reason, plus if you plan on wheeling Matt is right the metal on metal would mess up the strut..

[Matt]

I don't recall ever taking apart a strut that didn't have some sort of isolator. They're not all as thick as ours.... sometimes they're just a thin layer of rubber and other times they're actually part of the upper mount mold.

Curious what vehicles you just saw metal/metal on?

[07JeepXK]

Any clunking noises up front??

[xk2006]

No noises YET! BTW Matt, after getting home and calming down, I went to a couple neighbors and looked at their struts and you are right, however thin, they did have some cushioning between the strut and spring. I probably did not want to see one earlier. So no doubt, I already ordered the lower spring isolator. Well another question is, how about the dust cover or boot? The original assembled strut has one, but the OME does not. Should I take it off and put it on, since I have to redo the entire thing anyway? Also the original upper spring isolator seems to be in great condition and is much thicker (gives me the impression that its better quality) than the one in the Monroe kit, should I use the old one too? Ugh!!! What a mess! What should have been a great day of pride turned out so far to be a CF!

[06JeepXKHEMI]

I know exactly what you are going thru man, its pretty stressful, but its worth it in the end trust me.. I had ordered everything UPS then lost 2 boxes of the parts only to get here late. Then I forgot to order front bump stops which stressed me out even more, but once I got it installed all stress went away.. Use the new isolators, mines as well replace while you are there

[07JeepXK]

You don't need a dust cover boot. Just the original strut fork, OME strut, OME coil, upper and lower isolators, yellow bump stop and top mounting plate. That is all

[xk2006]

Thanks for all the replies guys. And for the advise, encouragement, and support. I gotta wait til next Friday to re-do it all and hopefully then I will be bragging about how good things are. It feels so close, but yet so far. Its gotta be done right, or its not done at all!

[Matt]

Yeah man, dont worry about that dust boot. The OME strut has a higher quality wiper seal that takes care of any debris.

I would use all new isolators, dont bother with the old ones even if they "look" thicker. That could easily just be the illusion of dispaced material and/or swelling of the polymer (water ingestion).

It may seem so far away, but before you know it this ordeal will be a thing of the past. So dont sweat it dude!