Front suspension question :)

Rich.T

Active Member
Feb 15, 2020
1,609
932
Afternoon all.

Noticed my car making some squeeky bush noises from the passenger front corner over the last few days.
Had a look on the ramp today and the upper strut mount has collapsed.

Question is, can i remove the front leg and leave the hub in place or is it a complete corner off jobby?

Theres the big bolt at the bottom of the leg that i can remove and seperate there.
But its weather the hub will lower down far enought to get the leg out?

Its all totally standard suspension on it.

Cheers Rich
 

Connor H

Active Member
Dec 19, 2019
1,014
498
Essex
I usually disconnect my track rods and the wishbone > hub mounts (3 bolts) and that usually allows me to get the strut out of the hub after freeing the big pinch bolt on the bottom of the damper. I used spring clamps the second time round to make it even easier to get the strut out.


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Thai-wronghorse

Self proclaimed Cupra R addict & butcher!
Dec 3, 2015
2,195
1,037
Kent
No need to remove the hub mate, undo the pinch bolt and use a hub spreader socket to release the strut.
I just disconnect the track rod end and drop link to allow the hub and wishbone to be pulled down far enough out the way.

You can spread the hub with a chisel but it's harder, do yourself a favour and buy a proper spreader as it makes the job MUCH quicker and easier.


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Rich.T

Active Member
Feb 15, 2020
1,609
932
Cheers both :)

Is aftermarket ok? I shoud have time to do it tomorrow but will be aftermarket (febi bilstein).

If i go TPS im looking at monday or tuesday. Also, maybe next Saturday before i get a chance to do it.
 

Thai-wronghorse

Self proclaimed Cupra R addict & butcher!
Dec 3, 2015
2,195
1,037
Kent
Your car is a Cupra R isn't it, if so you won't find aftermarket rubber top mounts in the same compound as the OEM ones which are stiffer and considerably more expensive than the standard ones.
With that said I run Febi Bilstein top mounts on mine for a few reasons...
1. I got them from a friend who works at Febi for pennies.
2. OEM mounts are about £80 or so and I couldn't justify the cost at the time.
3. I was happy to add a touch of compliance after fitting Bilstein shocks, Eibach springs and Superpro bushes everywhere else.

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Thai-wronghorse

Self proclaimed Cupra R addict & butcher!
Dec 3, 2015
2,195
1,037
Kent
Other than that if you want to retain the stiffness then buy the proper ones or buy polys.

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Rich.T

Active Member
Feb 15, 2020
1,609
932
Looks like id better go OG then.
Dont want to go down the polly bush route.

The car handles perfectly as is and dont want to change that.
If they're not silly money, i may get both sides.

Im a mechanic at the moment and have been for years. But im changing careers very soon (good timing right? lol) and wont have access to a workshop.
So may aswell do them whilst i can.

Thanks again (y)
 

Rich.T

Active Member
Feb 15, 2020
1,609
932
Just ordered 2 complete strut top bush n bearing kits for the car.
Just over £100 inc vat.
Happy with that.

Thought id get a pair of front springs whilst i was there but a 7 to 10 day wait for em. So strut top bearings only.

Rich
 

Rich.T

Active Member
Feb 15, 2020
1,609
932
2x OE strut top kits just turned up:)
Now, the problem is finding the time to fit them.
Heading 120 miles to the coast on Saturday for a bit of fishing so need to get em done sharpish!
To be honest, the car drives fine but ive just fitted a set of tyres to the car and dont want to scrub them out.

Need to get clearance from the good lady later so i can do them after work tomorrow.

Better stop off at sainsbury's on the way home tonight for some flowers.....
 
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Rich.T

Active Member
Feb 15, 2020
1,609
932
Little update.
Managed to fit one new top kit. The side that was making the noise.
The new bush sits about 5mm taller than the old one.
But trusting TPS i fitted it anyway.
Car still sits level and the noise has gone.
So away fishing this weekend :)
Will do the other side next week.

I did notice the lower arm bushes are a little past their best, so they are next on the to do list.

Bloody money pits.....
 

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