Top mount excessive play when jacked up.. Aren't they designed like this?

[weazgti]

My mk2 golf failed mot on excessive play in the top mounts because of the movement when the wheels are off the floor. I don't think I ve ever seen one that didn't have a gap between the top cap and turret and I always thought all golfs across the range did this because of the way it works.
The bushes aren't that old and there is no knocking when driving. Even if I replace the bushes there's still going to be a gap which will allow the strut to move when the wheels are jacked up.
Searching suggests it is a known issue and some mot testers pass it.
What's the deal here, is there a specific tolerance for these or is the tester (who s into vw s) being a numpty?

[itavaltalainen]

I know how you feel, recently done MOT on my mk3, same basic suspension set up.

the idiot in the ford dealership i went to put play in top mounts down as advisory since he tested play with wheel off the ground, which is a POINTLESS test as the top mounts are NOT bolted down to chassis on this particular VW setup. But try arguing with an MOT tester!
Now I know they are good since I replaced them myself not long ago (and there is no symptom of loose top mount when driving nor are they visually damaged).

But over the years the bearings can seize up, but you'd notice that, the second thing that can happen is that the rubber buffer gets squashed over the years. my old ones were about 1cm shorter than the new ones!

I would check that the top mounts aren't actually knackered - if not go to the MOT tester and ask him how it could NOT have play with wheels off ground since it's not bolted to the chassis anywhere.

[weazgti]

I put mk3 mounts on not so long ago. Had it all off today to check top mount and visually it looks exactly the same as when I put it on. The only reason I went for mk3 ones was because I got fed up of changing the mk2 ones which didn't last at all and the bearings kept collapsing on them. These have been spot on.
I did ring up the garage where it was tested and was told I d have to take it in for a second opinion.
Like you say, how do you argue with an mot tester!