front strut mount creaking, STILL!!!

[FordMan77]

Ok, I've had it with this noise from the front end. I just got done installing all new struts/springs/mounts last night and what do I hear today when I drove it... a nice creeeeeaak coming from the mount area on the drivers side, just like the last set that went on which was also new. It sounds like a rubber bushing being drug across something.

I reassembled them the way the old ones came out, which was put the rubber isolator on the spring top, then a plastic insert into that, then I checked to be sure that the bottom of the mount had the 3 arrows marked "stud" actually pointing at the 3 studs. Slapped the mount on, used the proper top cup and tightened the strut rod nut down.

I also had what sounded like spring bind, like the spring couldn't rotate until I turned far enough and then it gave with a little clunk. When I removed the old struts that the car came with the last time I did the fronts, I put everything in the same order that I found it and got the same creaking noise and finally just said F-it. Now I have all new again and same thing. Is it possible that something is not in the right order/position in the assembly causing this? I've had no issues with struts on other cars, just this one for some reason.

Any helpful input would be great as I didn't blow my entire Sat. and $600 in new parts just to have the same fvcking noise I had before.

[spazzz]

what brand mount?

[spazzz]

Like this right?
First time I used Monroes and they groaned. I used the Autozone Duralast(Gabriels) a couple weeks ago and that solved it.
I was going to put more grease on the bearing but it moved freely and had enough grease.
After changing the swaybar bushings, now I get a pop after it sits after driving. Guess I will have to wrap the bar with teflon tape.

[FordMan77]

Well, after some additional Googling I ran across a page where a guy detailed what order things should be in with pics on a 99 Regal. It appears the old struts I took off long ago were already in the wrong order, so I duplicated it to the set of struts I just yanked out and also on the new ones I installed on Sat. So, 2 sets of struts/mounts later I finally have sh*t in the right order and after a test drive there is no noises and the steering seems a lot easier/smoother.

And spazz, that pic is of the correct order so thank you. And yes, they are Monroe mounts but seemed fine this time around.

For reference, my prev. order was yellow bearing up against the mount but upside down, then the plastic angled piece, then the black insert and finally the spring isolater. , lol... I guess the plus is it only took me an hour to get them back out, assembled correctly and back in with a road test. Now I just have to watch how I come into the driveway so I don't drag