Top mounts?

[CazzaVR 0]

Noticed a really annoying rattle coming from the front nearside wheel area. Had a good check and nothing seems loose or out of place. Popped the bonnet and noticed that the nearside top mount was sticking up more than the other one and it was at a strange angle. I can also twist it around by hand, whereas the nearside one won't budge. Tried tightening the top nut, but the whole thing just moves around. I'm guessing it's goosed.

 

I'd be really grateful if someone could give me a few pointers on changing them. Is it pretty straigh forward? Any special tools needed?

 

Cheers!

[dr_mat 0]

Note that they will sit at different angles/heights if the steering is not at straight-ahead.

[CazzaVR 0]

Ah right- cheers Matt, my sister had parked it with the wheels at an angle. What about being able to twist it round by hand though?

 

ps- I've got Koni coilies if that makes any difference...

[Dec 1]

I reckon it's not actually the top mount you are spinning around by hand, but the plate that is on-top of it!

 

The mounts are held in by the weight of the car, so whether they are fupped or not, you wouldn't be able to rotate them. If you pull off the black plastic cap that covers the top-mounts / "plate" you should see a recessed bolt. I reckon this must be loose!

 

It's not a big problem, the top-"plates" are there to stop the suspension assembly + top-mounts from falling when you jack the front of the car up off the ground. So, unless you happen to get airborne, shouldn't really affect things!

 

You'll need an Allen key and a deep necked spanner to tighten the nut up again!

[A1 VR6 0]

Cazza, if you're gong to E38 Sunday let me know and I'll bring the correct tools along,

 

Bill

[dr_mat 0]

Sounds to me like they don't need changing.

 

Move on with your life ....

[ProdigalSon 1]

I had a permanent 1/2 inch gap between the top plate and the suspension turrets on my Audi (fitted with Bilsteins), which got me an MOT warning from the local bog-standard garage :? but the re-test was at a 'performance tuning' garage and they said it was totally normal and nothing to be concerned about. :wink: And yes, occasionally (ie. too fast over speed bumps) there was a slight rattle.

 

If you do find that the nut is loose, you'll need a deep-offset ring spanner (probs 22mm) and an allen key with a long padded handle (7mm I think) - I have both and can lend you them if you like :wink: You may find that the nut has been distorted into a more-oval-than-round shape due to the forces exerted on it - for that reason it may be wise to replace it with another single-use nut (eg. the Bilsteins had self-lock nylon nuts).

 

A small piece of tubular scaffold is also recommended to extend the length of the allen key (to get extra leverage/torque), to stop the piston rotating as you tighten the nut, and may require two people to pull/push in opposition! :D

 

If you don't get it sorted with A1 VR6 at E38, perhaps we could do it when I pop over for that carpet etc?

[CazzaVR 0]

Thanks for the advice guys! Afraid I'm not going to E38, but thanks for you kind offer, Bill.

 

Clark, may have to take you up on the offer if I can't sort it.

 

When I tried to tighten it, the whole top mount just spun around- couldn't get it tighter. Where does the allen key go? Can't see a recess anywhere for it.

 

Cheers

[Toad 0]

That rattle might well be your arb bushes being shot. or at least thats what I blame mine on.

 

Pretty cheap and easy fix I believe.

[CazzaVR 0]

Cheers, Toad. Will check out the ARB bushes- only a couple of quid each, and a job I can actually do myself :)

 

Couldn't get the nut undone on the top mount so took it to my local specialist. They could tighten it a little, but the mount is shot. The other one is on it's way out too. They're gonna do them both on Tuesday, using oem parts.

[CazzaVR 0]

Got these done- good job too, as the n/s front coilover had been put on the car incorrectly- nuts/washers in the wrong order. That must have been what was making a really irritating squeeking over every bump, because now it's gone.

 

Unfortunately, the 'clatter' noise coming from the n/s front is still there :( Checked the drop links and ARB bushes. Definately look like they need replacing, although still feel solid with no movement. Looked at everything else, and there's no play in anything. Bit puzzled really! Any ideas? first noticed it after have the car up on a trolley jack (under front axle).

[CazzaVR 0]

Now sorted (mainly due to ProdigalSon & Boost Monkey!). Took wheel of for a proper inspection and discovered a caliper bolt was missing so the caliper was flapping around :shock: All sorted now :) Cheers guys!

[ProdigalSon 1]

^^^ And it only took five minutes... We had the wheel off as it sounded like a squeaky brake pad/caliper/carrier noise when I drove it on Saturday, but it became pretty obvious that it was a missing caliper bolt as soon as the wheel was off...

 

Thankfully I had a few spare caliper bolts in my boot (left over from an almost total brake refit recently), so after a good smathering of copper grease on the runners and pad backs and one bolt later, it was sorted ;)

 

Just glad to have been of assistance :D

 

And the black boot carpet was a good trade too - cheers mate 8)