996 4s Top Mounts

[Ashy2]

Just had my 2004 c4s serviced at 9m and they have advised to replace the front strut top mounts. As I am quite handy and know my way around cars I intend to replace them myself. Any suggestions on parts suppliers or just use opc parts?

[Shewie]

DELETED: Comment made by a member who's account has been deleted.

Did you tell it that it had a nice arse?

[Ashy2]

Agreed she does have a nice Arse

[bullettneil]

What were the symptoms on this to suggest changing? I have a creak from the passenger side of mine.not sure if it's the top mount or not.and if it is if it's the rubber part or both that and the bearing

[R26Andy]

Ashy, did you have any symptoms before they advised the change? E.g. Knocking or creaking?

[Ashy2]

9m said that if you take the wheel off and look up you can see the wear, other than that they detected a small clunking noise on front end. Nothing major just advisory.

[poppopbangbang]

I did mine a few weeks ago as at 105K they were well done for. However I didn't replace with OE rubber mounts but made some spherical bearing top mounts which has tightened it all up no end and it doesn't even seem to have increased NVH to any level I can detect.

If you're doing it yourself and the car has a few miles on it be aware the front damper retaining bolt can be an total arse to remove. I took the strut and upright off the car and did it on the bench.

[R26Andy]

Thanks, I`m doing a bit of fault finding so was just wondering how to spot worn top mounts.

I have a really fast rattle coming from my front suspension which get worse the further the car is driven - even driving over the painted white lines can trigger it when fully warmed up. Its driving me mad.

I disconnected the anti roll bar and that didn't make any difference so I know its not them.

The inspection did reveal that I have a worn inner tie rod joint which needs replacing (clunks rather than rattles) and I also have a split coffin arm rubber boot which will need fixing but I'm not sure these are the source of the fast clacking (like two pieces of wood banging together).

I couldn't see anything wrong with the struts but then again, I don't know what I`m looking for exactly.

[graemel]

sounds like a broken shock absorber

[R26Andy]

Sounds a lot like this but MUCH louder.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bSXNR9brmlk

I`d love to know how the guy got that video. Sounds like he got his kid to cling to the bonnet while driving along.