How to replace top mounts?

[ballin]

Hi,

I have diagnosed a problem with the top mounts, when you turn the steering very slowly you can see the spring catching and then pinging around, which sends a small noise and vibration back through the steering.
How is best to replace the top mount/bearing? Can I just undo the top and replace, or do I need to remove the strut?

If the strut needs removing, what is the best way?

Thanks!

 

[DukeOfHunslet]

Are you sure it's the top mount? I only mention as I had this on my last car (not a seat) and the top of the spring had snapped. The noise is the two parts of the spring making noise as they bump into each other as the detached spring top decides to stay put with the mount, the mount now not moving seeing as the spring is free to stay with it.

I have a snapped spring at the moment - only it's at the bottom. My plan is to remove the unit and then take it to my local lock up garage owner to change the spring over on the free strut.

 

[lumor]

If you need to ask you can't do it, you need a spring compressor and if you've never used one before you risk serious injury to yourself or someone close to you.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BBxYwqXXEus

 

[CrispDust]

more lilely a snapped spring - this is an increasing common problem due to poor roads and higher road speeds.

 

[lumor]

Found the top of a spring outside my house, is it yours? lol

 

[JamesL]

Everyone has to learn, no one just 'knew' how to do anything.

That's (partly) the point of this forum, to teach other people.

If its too dangerous to learn how to use a spring compressor then people with experience of using them will be an endangered species

 

[CrispDust]

yes you can learn and that is one of the points of the forum. I'm all for ahving a go. But removing a front strut itself is not for the beginner. By the time you've paid for spring compressors, deep ring spanner for top nut, possible impact wrench for siezed strut lower bolts etc etc it can be easier to let a ood independent do it...

I forgot to put spring compressors on recently, put impact wrench on top nut and undid nut - fortunately strut was in a bench grip pointing sideways and springs were part knackered so no harm done when top mount and washers etc flew off at high speed!

 

[ballin]

I appreciate the concern but I'm no stranger to spannering, I've changed gearboxes, suspension, stripped cars and so on, part of the fun of owning a Ford RS I guess Not that I'm an expert, but I'm fairly competent.
I'm more interested in doing it on THIS actual car, ie. can it be done with the strut in situ or do I need to remove it (and hence get a massive torx bit for the strut carrier).

I have spring compressors and an impact wrench so that's fine, I'm just looking for experience doing this as I haven't worked on VAG much before. From a brief look I expect I can undo the suspension top nut with an allen key holding it still, and then hope I can get enough drop to get the top free and the mount assembly out?

It's definitely not a snapped spring, I've watched the top mount/bearing and as you turn the wheel the spring turns a little then pings as the mount releases it (or vice versa, I can't remember).

Thanks all

 

[Toxic]

if your just doing the strut mount, then another way is remove the strut with the Hub/brake disc still attached. that way you wont need to get alignment done again as the strut is still connected to the hub/carrier. it can be done this way as the the guy that done my springs the first time around done it this way, and he is an Ex-Seat Foreman for 11 years you will need a spring compressor as the mount/Bearing is part of the assembly.