My 1999 coupe has 94K miles. Last week installed a set of Bilsteins, upper strut mount, and other rubber related shock front shock parts. Additionally, changed the control arms, stabilizer links, etc.
This morning I noticed a clunking noise up front at slow speed over bumps and am wondering if I did not tighten the top center strut nut enough. The previous OEM shock had about 3/4 inch of thread showing. Did I not tighten center nut enough, and consequently the spring etc are loose?

 

Did you hold an Allen in the center while tightening it? If not they are probably loose.

Also it is not uncommon for coilovers to produce some clunking at low speed bumps, especially if you have spherical bearings. But def check your too nut.

 

Thank you! I'm planning on tightening the nut however, can I tighten the center nut while it is in place in the car, or will this require me to compress the springs or possibly remove the entire strut from the car.

 

You can do it in the car. I got the pass-through ratchet from Lowes to do this amongst other things which makes it a lot easier.

 

Maybe the way the light is falling but the lower photo looks like that nut is cross threaded.

 

Pass-through ratchet. Brilliant! Will pick it up this week and report. Hopefully I can take a picture of the tool in action.

 

Picked up a 21mm strut nut socket at ECS Tuning for $26 shipped. Torqued the nut to 59lbs. Took less than two minutes. Test drove it and all noises disappeared. Will have the alignment checked tomorrow.