Bought new rear struts for my 96 neon but realized that the lower spring seat or lower spring isolator is cracked, torn, smashed and worn out. I asked all at the different auto parts stores in town and none of them were able to find anything.

Is there another product or item that can replace this piece? Or will I have to have Dodge special order it for me?

 

if your lucky enough to live in a state with a "u pull u pay" chances are they'll have quite a few neons in their yard. what state are you in and i can get you the address of any in the state.

 

I put mine on without the rubber stuff. I never had any issues or noise with it.

 

I currently live in Kennewick, WA.

So would slippage be the only issue with placing the spring directly on the strut?

 

I also replaced my struts and found the insulator worn out also but seeing that no parts house carried them I went without replaceing them but now have a load thunk when I hit enev the smallest bump. Did you find them anyplace and if so where and what was the cost. And did it take care of your noise? I also have a pair of Eibach lowering springs for sail if anybody is interested. Have only a year on them. Thought that was my thunk noise that it was bottoming out but the new springs did not take care of the noise. Lowering the car is not good!!! Rough ride and not very GOOD on the exhaust in the winter snow!!!

 

try jacking up the rear of the car and twist the srpings in place if possable, I know you can do this with the eibach springs on there. I am not sure if this mehod will work with the stock springs though, it is worth a shot though.

 

Stock springs are under tension. I am pretty sure the springs would sit after driving the car. I did not use the rubber crab either and had no issues. A few times.

 

ive replaced the struts on just about every neon i have had within the past couple years and the rubber is always junk....ive always just put the spring back on the strut without it and it hasnt given me any slippage problems and no noises

 

The clunking in the back could by bad spring or bad strut mount also.