Creaking strut

[ttomtom]

Found this pic online:

It seems it's all rubber around the metal part which may confirm my theory about stretching rubber that allows 1/4 turn.

[ttomtom]

Sprayed silicone lubricant under the metal washer that's under the nut and also onto the lower part of the shock and now I'm able to turn it infinitely even the rubber noise is gone.

I guess I should remove the nut and look under the big washer to see if the rubber is parted from the metal. Won't be easy as the nut is inside the tower so I can't access it with a spanner. If I use a socket from above I won't access the allen socket. Any ideas?

[ttomtom]

I'll buy a 21mm deep offset ring spanner tomorrow and let's see. I'll probably have to get the strut mounts replaced. Do you have any idea what cost I am looking at with labour?