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Model specific boards => Golf mk3 => Topic started by: gtigolfthree on 20 August 2009, 11:24

Title: Front strut
Post by: gtigolfthree on 20 August 2009, 11:24
Noticed this morning that the n/s struut is sitting up at the top compared to the other one. Any ideas?
(http://i809.photobucket.com/albums/zz15/ianw333/SP_A0253.jpg)
Title: Re: Front strut
Post by: Wayne on 20 August 2009, 11:24
Your top mount has failed, replace the pair asap.
Title: Re: Front strut
Post by: gtigolfthree on 20 August 2009, 12:06
Whats involved in changing these?
Title: Re: Front strut
Post by: Wayne on 20 August 2009, 12:34
You will need to remove the front shocks, compress the spring and replace as required.
Title: Re: Front strut
Post by: Horney on 20 August 2009, 13:03
Bit of a faff but the parts are only about £20.

nick
Title: Re: Front strut
Post by: gtigolfthree on 20 August 2009, 13:29
Bummer I was hoping I could just take that nut off the top and just replace the rubber. Does that mean I will need to get the camber reset?
Title: Re: Front strut
Post by: Horney on 20 August 2009, 13:34
You probably should do but I just mark up where the stut was bolted to the hub and make sure when I put it all back together that it lines up in the same place.

Nick
Title: Re: Front strut
Post by: Wayne on 20 August 2009, 14:01
Bummer I was hoping I could just take that nut off the top and just replace the rubber. Does that mean I will need to get the camber reset?

You will need to compress the spring before removing the top nut.
Title: Re: Front strut
Post by: gtigolfthree on 20 August 2009, 14:11
Could I fit the new top mounts to these and just swap them over?
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=160356446721&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT
Title: Re: Front strut
Post by: Wayne on 20 August 2009, 15:21
Could I fit the new top mounts to these and just swap them over?
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=160356446721&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT

Yes but you still need the top spring plate which is missing plus they look in very poor state.
Title: Re: Front strut
Post by: gtigolfthree on 28 August 2009, 10:29
Ordered up a pair of top mounts off ebay for this and booked it into the garage with an £80 quote for fitting them both only to find that one of the springs is broken which added another £43 to the bill.  :sick:
Title: Re: Front strut
Post by: VW BUSH on 28 August 2009, 16:49
did you not hear/feel this happening :shocked:?
Must have been banging about for months and turned like CF's sig
Title: Re: Front strut
Post by: gtigolfthree on 28 August 2009, 17:04
Well there was a clunking noise when turning the steering but after noticing the top mount was sitting high I assumed it was that causing it, ordered new ones asap and booked it in and it was the mechanic that noticed the spring. Still thats it all done now.  :smiley:
Title: Re: Front strut
Post by: VW BUSH on 28 August 2009, 17:21
Well there was a clunking noise when turning the steering but after noticing the top mount was sitting high I assumed it was that causing it, ordered new ones asap and booked it in and it was the mechanic that noticed the spring. Still thats it all done now.  :smiley:

Must be like a new car :grin:
Title: Re: Front strut
Post by: Mikester on 28 August 2009, 17:31
Noticed this morning that the n/s struut is sitting up at the top compared to the other one. Any ideas?
(http://i809.photobucket.com/albums/zz15/ianw333/SP_A0253.jpg)

Mine look like this.

WIN! :D
Title: Re: Front strut
Post by: Khare on 28 August 2009, 17:35
is the steering wheel straight? is the car on a level surface?

Mine is exactly like yours If my steering is pointing left or right.
Title: Re: Front strut
Post by: gtigolfthree on 28 August 2009, 17:40
No that was it straight, they do sit up a bit when on full lock but not as much as that, I think it was wayne that said if you can get your finger in there fc*cked
Title: Re: Front strut
Post by: Khare on 28 August 2009, 17:41
No that was it straight, they do sit up a bit when on full lock but not as much as that, I think it was wayne that said if you can get your finger in there fc*cked
I can get my finger in mine, yet I replaced them with brand new VR6 items. In the MK3 the top of the struts do sit high compared to the mk2.
Title: Re: Front strut
Post by: gtigolfthree on 28 August 2009, 17:50
I do think the vr6 ones sit a bit higher than the standard gti ones as I got the vr6 ones and they are a little bit higher.
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/VW-GOLF-MK3-GTI-VR6-CORRADO-SHOCK-TOP-MOUNT-KITS-C358_W0QQitemZ190303140410QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM?hash=item2c4ef37a3a&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14
Title: Re: Front strut
Post by: Mikester on 28 August 2009, 17:51
O well! I dont plan to use the car till i drive it to edition 38.

Then i wont drive it again till i fit my new suspension and mounts.

240mile round trip to edition 38. Best make it!
Title: Re: Front strut
Post by: gtigolfthree on 28 August 2009, 18:06
Dont want to be alarmist but
http://www.golfgtiforum.co.uk/index.php?topic=127113.msg1128676#msg1128676
Title: Re: Front strut
Post by: AudiA8Quattro on 28 August 2009, 23:03
Go with Wayne's advice, it is spot as usual.
The gap should be very small for new mounts, it makes no difference whether it be a mk2 or mk3.
I've used poor quality mounts before, and they go the same way as the old mount very quickly, so make sure they are of known quality.
Title: Re: Front strut
Post by: Wayne on 29 August 2009, 00:21
Just for info reference gap if your running coilovers, I assemblied mine as below with new vr6 top mounts.

(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p51/jmfangio5/Vw%20Golf/2.jpg)

As on mine the nut was nearly the same size as the hole.

(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p51/jmfangio5/Vw%20Golf/01.jpg)

When it was all back together this left me with gaps as below, passed the mot no issues.

(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p51/jmfangio5/Vw%20Golf/2008_0603mounts0001.jpg)
(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p51/jmfangio5/Vw%20Golf/2008_0603mounts0002.jpg)


I am not saying this is right but could be handy info.
Title: Re: Front strut
Post by: VW BUSH on 29 August 2009, 00:32
Top mount could dislocate if it recoils hard off a speed bump or you get the car to air?
Title: Re: Front strut
Post by: Wayne on 29 August 2009, 07:56
Top mount could dislocate if it recoils hard off a speed bump or you get the car to air?


Well I never had any issues.
Title: Re: Front strut
Post by: VW BUSH on 29 August 2009, 20:41
Yeah spose it would be nigh on impossible to air a MK3 :wink: