top mount change

[vwwvgolf]

afternoon people. is it posssible to change the front top mounts with out completely removing the strut?
not long ago had all the tracking done, cost about 70 quid, and dont want to have to go back and get tracking done again

[tweed]

Yes it is. But if the old ones are worn then you may need to get it done again.

[vwwvgolf]

i duno if its worn yet, only been on a few months so i should hope not.

i think ive done the nut up too tight or not enough and its made the bearing go??

still not 100% if its even the mount thats causing the issue tbh, but got to start somewhere. its either the mount or the strut causing the noise. (i think  )

[tweed]

So whats the problem?

What mounts and bearings did you buy?

Is the car low? Coilovers?

[itavaltalainen]

also don't understand the issue.... what's wrong with it?

as for changing with strut in situ... yes possible... if anything it's quite tight and fiddly... but worth to safe realignment!

undo top nut that holds on metal top plate that sits on top of dome (using 21mm spark plug socket to undo and 7mm allen key to stop piston from spinning)
jack car up safely (put axle stands underneath), push the wishbone down.
put spring compressors on, compress the spring with them as much as it goes (watch it does not damage dome!), then undo the top mount nut and lift it off.... now fiddle the old strut mount/bearing out....
re-assy is reversal of above....

[Wayne]

Your going to need the tracking rechecked what ever happens.

[JC]

Your going to need the checking rechecked what ever happens.

 

 

[vwwvgolf]

sorry guys, never actually explained the reason lol. its making a weird knocking noise coming from drivers front. only really does it up until 30mph. sounds like the mounts maybe moving about or somthing. ive asid before in another thread that it sounds like it needs lubing up or somthing.
 ive jacked the car up and checked the wheel bearing.
 ive had a mate rock it about while i listened and its coming from the top mount area. the nut at the top is tight too.
also brought some of the yellow wd40 for bushes and other rubber stuff which helped for about half a day but then it came back.

 
the mounts are febi, and its lowered 30mm on weitec coilovers

thanks for all the input guys  not a nice thought of having to get it all realigned tho 

[itavaltalainen]

if you had it aligned with intact bearing and now put another intact one back in you won't change alignment - there is no adjustment on the top mount anyway - so all you're left with are the manufacturing tolerances and with known brands they should be reasonably small.

if the bearing was knackered already when you did alignment then it can be out a bit - but not much tbh (I replace my totally f**ked ones and it still only had a marginal impact on camber when I got it checked after changing shocks 6 months later and I bet most of it came from shocks not being 100% where they were before)

[tweed]

Turn steering lock to lock and if it makes the same noise then its just top mount noise lol

My new ones did it so I took them off and copper slipped them up. Problem solved.

No spray lasts long