Hi, I noticed when wd-40-ing all the front strut nuts/bolts on my diesel pick up, that on one side the lower spring platform (cup??) has only about 10-12mm clearance over the tyre (all 195/50 15), the other side has 25-30mm clearance. I have some lowering springs (the ones off ebay) I plan to fit soon. Are my struts knackered?? I'm guessing so!

My next question is: has anyone bought the bilsteins from euro car parts? are these complete kits which will allow me to make up new sub assemblys to fit on the car with my new springs? or will i need to order new bits (top cups bushes etc) the picture (which I realise is just for illustrative purposes!) on the ecp website doesnt have a top cup pictured. I have read the other suspension thread (all 4 pages!) Which bits are likely to need replacing (bolts etc)??

You help would be much appreciated.

Sounds like the spring cup is about to collapse, so best fix it ASAP

Usually struts only contain the strut itself, everything else would need to be from your existing one (spring, top spring cup, top bearing, top mount, etc), so it may be worth checking what condition the rest of your stuff is in - Jorily stocks everything, and it's not unheard of for the top bearings to go - certainly I killed a few when I was running struts using the standard top mounts.