GolfGTIforum.co.uk
Model specific boards => Golf mk3 => Topic started by: Shady Pioneer on 01 February 2009, 15:37
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So just for my clarification because I'm going to be doing this myself no doubt. I have the new top mounts for the car as the old ones are shot, I'm under the assumption it's the following:
1. Loosen top strut mounts in engine bay
2. Loosen wheel nuts
3. Jack car up
4. Remove wheel
5. Undo the 2 bolts holding the strut in place
6. Fully remove top strut nut and mount
7. Remove strut/suspension from car
8. Pull off old top mount
9. Place new top mount on
10. Reverse order of what I've just done?
Any help would be appreciated.
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Yes but not sure how your going to manage to remove top nut without spring compressor.
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Also if you do one side at a time and your carefull you may be able to leave the strut on but drop it down.
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Spring compressor? I need one?
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wont need compressors for coilies....? :undecided:
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wont need compressors for coilies....? :undecided:
You changed your top mounts didn't you shep?
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yea.. ditched the old ones which are attached to original suspension..(would need commpressors to re-use these)
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You mean compressors to reuse the old ones? The only thing I'm gonna have a problem with then is that the old ones are now on the new coilovers so...?
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Your going to need a strong mate to hold the spring down whilst you switch the mount or wind the spring right down to release the tension.
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i would just wind the spring plates all the way down and then take them off....
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Winding them all the way down would be my best bet if I'm doing it alone wouldn't it? I can always mark on the body of the strut where the plates were to bring them back up. Just to make sure, the mounts in the engine bay need to be removed don't they?
What tools exactly do I need as I'm gonna have to do this in a car park or something, as I can't jack the car up where I live as there's no level ground :(
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the main tools you will need are;
17mm socket/spanner for lower strut bolts
I used a spark plug socket with an adjustable spanner and a 7mm allen key down the middle to undo the top mounting nut. (sounds complex in writing but will make sense if you look at the top mount...)
Also did you transfer the brake line clip from the old suspension too?
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the main tools you will need are;
17mm socket/spanner for lower strut bolts
I used a spark plug socket with an adjustable spanner and a 7mm allen key down the middle to undo the top mounting nut. (sounds complex in writing but will make sense if you look at the top mount...)
Also did you transfer the brake line clip from the old suspension too?
You mean the bit that holds a thick wire away from the wheel behind the suspension? Yeah we took those off the old suspension and put it on the new :)
Well I should be able to get this all done, hopefully, it's not gonna take long really is it?
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i would say 2 hours tops!
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I would also mark the lower strut bolts with a pen or something if you can, just so you know where to put the bolts back otherwise you'll be driving round with some extreme camber :wink:
Which top mounts did you go for in the end? Did you make sure they came with the bearings too?
I'm going to be doing this soon as I'm pretty sure mine's got the same bad noise as yours..
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I would also mark the lower strut bolts with a pen or something if you can, just so you know where to put the bolts back otherwise you'll be driving round with some extreme camber :wink:
Which top mounts did you go for in the end? Did you make sure they came with the bearings too?
I'm going to be doing this soon as I'm pretty sure mine's got the same bad noise as yours..
I got the ones recommended by wayned, which I believe most people have bought, you mean the bolts on where to secure the struts in near the wheel? Surely there is only two? LOL!
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I would also mark the lower strut bolts with a pen or something if you can, just so you know where to put the bolts back otherwise you'll be driving round with some extreme camber :wink:
Which top mounts did you go for in the end? Did you make sure they came with the bearings too?
I'm going to be doing this soon as I'm pretty sure mine's got the same bad noise as yours..
I got the ones recommended by wayned, which I believe most people have bought, you mean the bolts on where to secure the struts in near the wheel? Surely there is only two? LOL!
it wont matter to you shady as im guessing you havnt had yours lined up at a garage from the firt time you took them off anyway?
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I would also mark the lower strut bolts with a pen or something if you can, just so you know where to put the bolts back otherwise you'll be driving round with some extreme camber :wink:
Which top mounts did you go for in the end? Did you make sure they came with the bearings too?
I'm going to be doing this soon as I'm pretty sure mine's got the same bad noise as yours..
I got the ones recommended by wayned, which I believe most people have bought, you mean the bolts on where to secure the struts in near the wheel? Surely there is only two? LOL!
it wont matter to you shady as im guessing you havnt had yours lined up at a garage from the firt time you took them off anyway?
The camber bolts - there's only 2, yeah, but it's best to put them back where they were before ready for when you get tracked/cambered up.
Technically you could use the weight of the car to suppress the spring while you undo the main bolt on the strut, then bring the car up and remove the top mount while still in the arch, but everyone disses this method as 'dangerous'.
As long as you've got a friend you'll be fine
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I would also mark the lower strut bolts with a pen or something if you can, just so you know where to put the bolts back otherwise you'll be driving round with some extreme camber :wink:
Which top mounts did you go for in the end? Did you make sure they came with the bearings too?
I'm going to be doing this soon as I'm pretty sure mine's got the same bad noise as yours..
I got the ones recommended by wayned, which I believe most people have bought, you mean the bolts on where to secure the struts in near the wheel? Surely there is only two? LOL!
it wont matter to you shady as im guessing you havnt had yours lined up at a garage from the firt time you took them off anyway?
The camber bolts - there's only 2, yeah, but it's best to put them back where they were before ready for when you get tracked/cambered up.
Technically you could use the weight of the car to suppress the spring while you undo the main bolt on the strut, then bring the car up and remove the top mount while still in the arch, but everyone disses this method as 'dangerous'.
As long as you've got a friend you'll be fine
I can see my eye coming out trying that method lol! I don't mind taking the strut off and winding them down, it'll be easier for me and safer. I haven't had camber or tracking done since the new ones have been put on no.