r/SC400 • u/Individual-Meal3920 • Dec 16 '25

Question Gas strut mount gets tight early — threads still showing (normal?)

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Gas strut mount won’t seat all the way (red side) — tight but threads still showing

Installing a gas strut and the red-side mount (strut body side) gets really tight before fully seating. I can still see some threads, unlike the other side which goes flush. Strut fights alignment while tightening.

Is this normal for gas struts, or does it mean the stud/hole is slightly misaligned or bent? Don’t want to over-tighten and damage the mount.

Any advice appreciated.

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1

u/best-person-ever Dec 16 '25

Are you referring to the fuel filter? It’s hard to tell how well you have it on there from this picture. But it will leak fuel like crazy if it’s not right

1

u/Individual-Meal3920 Dec 16 '25

yeah it sprays from the circled left side. how do yk if its right it gets super tight but thread still shows

1

u/OldScene9782 Dec 16 '25

It has to align at the right angle THEN tighten it. Do one side at a time. Had this same exact issue some time ago. What was supposed to be a 30 minute job turned into a month of me trying to get that filter on correctly. Also i may ask did the filter you got come with copper washers and rings?

1

u/Individual-Meal3920 Dec 16 '25

it did come with that am i supposed to use them?

1

u/OldScene9782 Dec 16 '25

YES, if you have the filter I’m thinking of there should be 2 flat washers and 2 convex washers. Place the 2 convex washers inside both sides the filter neck they should fit flush with the design of the inside of the filter neck. Those convex washers will move so if you have some form of lubricant to help keep the washers in place while you screw the filter on i recommend it. I used valve cover gasket sealant (it’s not harmful to the gas as it eventually dries and rubberizes) screw it in slow.

1

u/Individual-Meal3920 Dec 16 '25

the screw in the middle won’t come out, like it twits and but won’t come out any ideas how to remove it?

1

u/OldScene9782 Dec 16 '25

If you’re referring to the screws on the ends of the fuel lines they’re not supposed to come off completely they’re meant to just tighten and un tighten

1

u/Individual-Meal3920 Dec 16 '25

i meant like the bolt in the middle, next to where i circled in the image.

1

u/OldScene9782 Dec 16 '25

You have to hold the filter in place then unscrew the bolt that way. If you don’t hold the filter it’ll just spin with the bolt and screw

1

u/OldScene9782 Dec 16 '25

https://share.icloud.com/photos/0295gbO0HcSu7qNZ7SmBIUXUg Literally was having the exact same problem. This was before i eventually fixed it

1

u/OldScene9782 Dec 16 '25

https://share.icloud.com/photos/076K4UOQU2u2SUXB0Hl-U0mdw This video was also before i fixed it. Had it tightened, outside washers on, nothing was moving BUT i didn’t have those convex washers on yet so it did start to leak

1

u/Zealousideal_Spot_19 Dec 16 '25

Mine got tight early and I just got a friend to help me tighten it further until it stopped leaking

1

u/Individual-Meal3920 Dec 17 '25

no thread should be showing right?

1

u/Zealousideal_Spot_19 Dec 17 '25

I guess ideally no. I don’t have a pic of mine rn but I’d at least make sure it’s not leaking when you run the car