Author Topic: Trackrod End ball joint, Lower Susp Arm, Shocker + Brakes. Mot Fail.  (Read 3796 times)

Offline MowatGTI

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Right - Gti 16v has just failed. 

Offside track rod end has excessive play.
Offside front lower Suspension arm has excessive play.
Offside Rear Shock absorber has a serious fluid leak.
Offside rear brake recording little or no effort.

Advisories include: 
Both front Macpherson strut have slight movement in the upper support bearing assemblies.
Exhaust(at middle silencer) has a minor leak of exhaust gases.
Oil Leak.

Now.  Basically, I want to fix it up myself, but I won't bother if it costs £££.

I'll be searching the forum for guides.  Got my Haynes manual too.

I'm going to:
Replace my leaking rear shocker.  (Is it best to replace both sides???)
Change both top mounts (Is this an ok job to attempt??)(I've heard the VR6 ones are stronger??)
Replace the track rod end.(Whats this like to do?)(Do I need to get alignment doen afterwards?)
Do something with the lower suspension arm. (I presume i'll need to replace this)
Mabye strip the dodgy caliper and rebuild it. (Might replace it).
Try and fix the oil leak.(Its coming from the oil cooler/filter housing. The mechanic said the nut underneath can sometimes come loose.)

I'll need to order parts today probably. I'll be using GSF but have a dealers in the city which I can go to if OEM parts are better than patent parts.

I'll be doing it in my driveway.  I have basic tools.  Do I need axle stands/a decent jack? Also, I presume i'll need spring compressors.  Any other special tools you guys think I need?

Cheers

(Possibily my longer ever post!)

Offline Len

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Yes you should replace both rear shocks.

TBH if you just follow the Haynes it will tell you all you need to know!

Most definitely jack and axle stands!
Mystic Blue Mk3 16v + Black Mk5 Gti 05 plate + Peugeot 405 Mi16

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Offline MowatGTI

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Excellent!  Cheers

Are VR6 top mounts the ones to use?  I might go to the dealer for the top mounts.

About to check out the GSF site and start to price.

Offline Len

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Dont believe they will make any difference.
Mystic Blue Mk3 16v + Black Mk5 Gti 05 plate + Peugeot 405 Mi16

www.sas.org.uk
www.the-ace.org.uk

Offline christomk3gti

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yeah replace both rear shocks as len said... A hint... (if you dont have any spring compressors, Have you not got/or can get hold of some long studding? If you can I reccomend 16mm, and you could make your own compressors, get some aluminium/other metal and drill a 17mm hole through it to allow the 16mm studding to go through, also at the end of the aluminium, shape it with a grinder to have a hook shape to it. and some 16mm nuts. Things you need to make some....

2 x 16mm threaded studding (quite long about 50-60cm will do)
4  x pieces of aluminium/or other metal and shape one end to a hook position to fit round your springs. and then Drill 17mm holes in all 4 of them for the 16mm studding to pass through.
4 x 16m Nuts

Thats exactly how i made mine at work. can be time consuming but if you work in a industrial place then the bits are free :-)

Anyway for the brakes, yeah clean up the caliper first, and check the condition of the piston and seal. if this looks really corroded, then go to a scrappy'z and get one from there. clean them up and use some copper slip/grease on the moving parts. job done.

Hope this helps.
 
Black 8v GTI............. Whats a Waffle Valve?

Offline MowatGTI

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Yeah - absolutley.

On the spring compressor front, I'll just buy or borrow some.  I could make them at work, but it's more hassle to be honest.

And luckily I have a good scrappies only a couple of miles away.

Cheers

Offline christomk3gti

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Yeah it is a hassle i do admit, i made mine when i was working overtime lol.

I also cleaned my calipers up lol.

Thinking of changing my front brake pads soon, so i'll have to whip of my discs and machine them at work lol

Working in industry does have some benefits lol
Black 8v GTI............. Whats a Waffle Valve?

Offline christomk3gti

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Hope my boss doesnt go on this site  :laugh:  :laugh:
Black 8v GTI............. Whats a Waffle Valve?

Offline MowatGTI

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Yeah it is a hassle i do admit, i made mine when i was working overtime lol.

I also cleaned my calipers up lol.

Thinking of changing my front brake pads soon, so i'll have to whip of my discs and machine them at work lol

Working in industry does have some benefits lol

Vey nice.

Got ten days to get it all done before a partial retest, so here's hoping......

Offline christomk3gti

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same with me.

New windscreen fitting today (if weather stays fine)
new wheels coming  after 3pm today

just need to put new brake pipe on the rear. shudnt be too hard  :smiley:

Just in total for (6mth tax, MOT, 17" rims with tyres, windscreen and new brake pipe) costing me nearly 500quid.

I'm skint.
Black 8v GTI............. Whats a Waffle Valve?