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Model specific boards => Golf mk2 => Topic started by: scooter perv on 04 April 2009, 15:57

Title: Strut top mount
Post by: scooter perv on 04 April 2009, 15:57
Got play at the top of my strut so picked up a new mount today but unsure whether I need to compress the spring to change it. Didnt wanna drop it out without making sure cos ive no spring compressers and the old haynes seems to show me having to use em..cheers for any pointers  :cool:
Title: Re: Strut top mount
Post by: sharpie on 04 April 2009, 16:22
get spring compressors. or your top mounts will go ping
Title: Re: Strut top mount
Post by: scooter perv on 04 April 2009, 17:10
Oh yeah mate if I have to take spring off I will get some compressers but is the top mount (with the bearing) under the nut that releases the spring or on top ?If you know what I mean.In other words do I have to release the tension on the spring to fit the top mount?
Title: Re: Strut top mount
Post by: sidecarphil on 04 April 2009, 17:45
yes
Title: Re: Strut top mount
Post by: scooter perv on 05 April 2009, 09:49
cheer bud thats all I neded to know....more expense then  :undecided:
Title: Re: Strut top mount
Post by: sharpie on 05 April 2009, 09:51
spring compressors are only like £20 anyway
Title: Re: Strut top mount
Post by: scooter perv on 05 April 2009, 11:50
Yeah but it turns a £10 job into a £30 job  :huh:
My plan for the weekend was do strut top mount and replace perished driveshaft gator (s). Bought an outer gator when I needed and inner and need spring compressors for the strut...lifes a biatch..may do some work on the wifes bug instead then that`ll please her  :undecided:
Title: Re: Strut top mount
Post by: sidecarphil on 05 April 2009, 17:51
take the shocks off

go to your local "friendly" garage and ask if you can borrow there profesional spring compressors

the £20 ones will end up imbeded in your chin ( i know)

the pro ones are much better to use and i doubt you'll use them enough to warrent the asking price !!!
Title: Re: Strut top mount
Post by: Diamond Hell on 05 April 2009, 18:31
the £20 ones will end up imbeded in your chin ( i know)

What's that phrase?  Something about a bad something blaming something else?

Can't quite remember it, but I know I've put my £20 spring compressors through a lot of work and my chin's still fine.

If you were anywhere near Bristol, you'd be welcome to borrow a pair of my chin-seeking missiles - I've wound up with two different style £20 pairs after a clerical error a year or so ago.
Title: Re: Strut top mount
Post by: Ben Lessani on 05 April 2009, 18:34
*agrees with scp*

The cheap ones are dangerous, I've seen them fail before. Operator's error or not, the vice screw type ones are waaaay safer.
Title: Re: Strut top mount
Post by: Diamond Hell on 05 April 2009, 18:38
These are the ones I use:

(http://www.diytools.co.uk/diy/Images/DB_Detail/_26071_139405.jpg)

and these:

(http://www.justoffbase.co.uk/core/media/media.nl?id=9762&c=317638&h=280b83b11eca43f75d63)

Are there other cheaper ones?  It's not like you're compressing Land Rover springs here - they're dinky little Golf ones.
Title: Re: Strut top mount
Post by: sidecarphil on 05 April 2009, 19:20
These are the ones I use:

(http://www.diytools.co.uk/diy/Images/DB_Detail/_26071_139405.jpg)
CRAP ones

and these:

(http://www.justoffbase.co.uk/core/media/media.nl?id=9762&c=317638&h=280b83b11eca43f75d63)

Are there other cheaper ones?  It's not like you're compressing Land Rover springs here - they're dinky little Golf ones.

better :)

the top ones slip around the spring

but any thing is better than these idiot's LOL
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CYFOI_UsVxI (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CYFOI_UsVxI)
Title: Re: Strut top mount
Post by: JC on 05 April 2009, 19:31
 :lipsrsealed: lowered shock n spring combos can be done with brute force to compress the spring - but REALLY ISNT RECOMMENDED  :lipsrsealed:
Title: Re: Strut top mount
Post by: sidecarphil on 05 April 2009, 19:37
only if you have enough weight to push down on the springs  :wink: :wink:
Title: Re: Strut top mount
Post by: JC on 05 April 2009, 19:47
pull down, let nature take effect  :grin:
Title: Re: Strut top mount
Post by: scooter perv on 05 April 2009, 19:48
If the 20 quid ones are bad I wonder what the 12 quid ones are like I bought off evilbay this afternoon  :lipsrsealed: :grin:
 Ive used some cheapo ones before on the bug and although they wernt great I was carefull not to put my head near em :huh:
Title: Re: Strut top mount
Post by: Neo Badness on 05 April 2009, 20:06
 :laugh: that's a quality video on how not to do it...

I would also recommend decent compressors and not, as my friend found out to his cost, a crowbar.... :laugh:
Title: Re: Strut top mount
Post by: Diamond Hell on 05 April 2009, 22:26
alternatively, if you man-up a bit, assemble everything, bar the securing nut and then let the jack down, so the weight of the car compresses the spring and the top of the strut pokes up through.
Title: Re: Strut top mount
Post by: johnson6672 on 06 April 2009, 20:53
alternatively, if you man-up a bit, assemble everything, bar the securing nut and then let the jack down, so the weight of the car compresses the spring and the top of the strut pokes up through.

Yeee hah
Title: Re: Strut top mount
Post by: Diamond Hell on 06 April 2009, 21:45
Yes, hat AND spurs  :tongue:
Title: Re: Strut top mount
Post by: scooter perv on 26 April 2009, 18:25
Ballbags :undecided:
 Right amongst mant things today I cracked on with driveshaft gators, no problem, then went on to taking the strut out. Nearly fooked up cos I turned the thread instead of the nut and nearly popped me spring off in sito..oops
 Anway got strut out but knowing the stuff I usually buy from gsf is wrong I thought id check the size and low and behold my new strut top was about half inch taller than the one on the car. Have I been sold a non gti mount or do I have a 16v one fitted? Any help appreiciated chaps/chappeses.
Title: Re: Strut top mount
Post by: scooter perv on 26 April 2009, 18:28
Just checked the GSF part number

45735          STRUT TOP MOUNTING-BQ          VE 1.6 9/92 >9/94            11.50 ???
Title: Re: Strut top mount
Post by: AudiA8Quattro on 26 April 2009, 19:19
These are the ones I use:

(http://www.diytools.co.uk/diy/Images/DB_Detail/_26071_139405.jpg)

and these:

(http://www.justoffbase.co.uk/core/media/media.nl?id=9762&c=317638&h=280b83b11eca43f75d63)

Are there other cheaper ones?  It's not like you're compressing Land Rover springs here - they're dinky little Golf ones.

I have ones like the first pic, used them loads of times, i think i bought them from halfords.
They are definately not dangerous, if used properly. I can't see them failing either.