[kromix]

How important/functional is this piece?

What does it do? It's paper thin and searching online all I found was this:

AFM 34 is Victor Reinz®' most successful gasket material of all time. This aramide fiber-based classic is completely harmless from a physiological point of view and has all the important approvals (TA Luft and FDA-compliant, to name a few). Universally useable, this gasket material is the perfect sealing solution for a huge number of media and a wide range of temperatures and operating pressures.

I replaced the front spring today and forgot to put this back, do I really need to take it all apart to put it back? What does it actually do?

It came from where the top hat connects to the chassis....



Thoughts?

[M-terkait]

I think it only protects the chassis paint from top hat.

[cncmastr]

Originally Posted by M-terkait

I think it only protects the chassis paint from top hat.

Bingo, prevents metal on metal contact.

[kromix]

Originally Posted by cncmastr

Bingo, prevents metal on metal contact.

So how bad is it to drive without? Other than paint stripping does it prevent any serious damage?

[cncmastr]

Originally Posted by kromix

So how bad is it to drive without? Other than paint stripping does it prevent any serious damage?

Who knows, it's there for a reason. Imagine for a moment the two metals rub together and degrade the rust inhibitor in the primer. Some moister or salt gets in there. Or not.

[//M]

You live in Miami, yeah you better put that back if its directly between the top hat and strut tower you will eventually rub through the corrosion protection. Don't forget these struts rotate as you turn the wheel.

[kromix]

Originally Posted by tifosielia

You live in Miami, yeah you better put that back if its directly between the top hat and strut tower you will eventually rub through the corrosion protection. Don't forget these struts rotate as you turn the wheel.

Great now i'm worried....

Think I already did too much damage? Or is this like a long term thing?

[//M]

Originally Posted by kromix

Great now i'm worried....

Think I already did too much damage? Or is this like a long term thing?

I can't say for sure, hard to know. Its directly against the strut tower right? (From ETK looks like it)

It won't be a huge deal, you can always reapply the corrosion protection, the paint isn't a necessity just the corrosion protection. If you haven't gone too far you should be OK.

The corrosion protection makes the metal matte like iron almost. If the metal is shiny aluminum I would address it.


I have to ask but I'd think 3m probably makes a brush on corrosion protection, factory and body shops spray it, obv that would make it a bigger deal as you can't really spray yourself. I have to find out its not something that's easy to find via Google.)

Let me know if your going to need it. I'll keep an eye on this thread.

[//M]

Spray on corrosion protection does exist, I asked a body shop buddy today!

Let me know if you need it, and I'll get the name. I would use the proper stuff instead of undercoating or whatever.