front strut rod nut torque

[Jack Deth]

i just changed my front struts. i put in sensa-tracs and reused the old mounts (they were still good, the old struts died from old age).
when i torqued the rod nuts to 36 ft/lb, it felt a little rubbery. i suspect this is normal as the mount has a rubber core, but can someone please confirm the rubbery feel?

[Jack Deth]

i figured it out myself (this is my first car with struts).
i had thought the rubber was cast into the strut mount. now i see that it is just pushed in. when the torque is high enough, it gives a little and creaks. i couldn't see how the bearing allowed the strut to rotate, as the rod is bolted into the rubber mount. now i see that the strut cylinder rotates around the fixed rod and the bearing allows the top of the spring to turn.