Changing rear strut top mounts

[IBD]

Has anyone on here attempted this themselve yet?

I started last week, but due to a tool shortage I couldnt finish.

The strut tops are secured by 2 16mm Bolts, that was the easy part, using the socket set these came off no problem, and I was left with the strut and the top mount joined together, and this was the problem. As I didnt have an open ended 16mm spanner I could stop the centre of the strut from turned when trying to get the two parts apart.

Is this all I need to do, stio the centre from turning whilst unbolting the strut mount?

Would it be easier to eremove the strut completely to remove the top mount?

Why dont spanner sets come with a 16mm spanner

Awkward bloody VAG!

Any help gratefully received

 

[IBD]

Well got them changed last night, had no problems at all in the end. its only about 10 - 15 minutes per side, and I can say that they have made sod all difference to the creaky rear suspension.

Looks like I will have to look deeper into the problem to fing out the cause

 

[BHP Addict]

I have just started to hear a few creaks from my front passenger on mine mate.

I have looked around for solutions but I have settled on changing set up to fk collies.Hopefully that solves my problem before it gets too bad.

Have you spoke to dealer/dealer michanics see if it is a problem they have come across before?

 

[aphix]

silly question but have you tried taking the rear seats outs? or folding them down and seeing if the problem is any better?

I know where my rear seats but up to the plastic trim they creak a bit.

My rear suspension was replaced under warranty as soon as i got the car, and the front suspension top mounts where changed under warranty at its 40k service... without me saying anything

Rob

 

[IBD]

Yeah I tried the seats and it isnt them, mine has full leather so its a bit creaky anyway.
Some of the creaks have gone with changing the rear top mounts, but there are now more from the off side rear, It must be the dust cover on the rear struts creaking in the mount.

I also have noisy nearside front suspension, so it might be a case of changing it all and adding some powerflex bushes to see if this helps at all.

Its a 2000 with 75k on it so it could be that all the suspension is a bit tired, but it will have to wait for now, as I am moving house in a month.

Whats the best suspension set to go for, funds allowing it will be coilovers, what else is worth changing at the same time, the ARB's?

 

[aphix]

The FK kit seems to get a good report on here, im just waiting to here back from a company about a Jamex kit, but they've run into the same problems rimstyle did with the original FK kit.

Could also look at H&R but they are a lot of wonga.

Maybe something worth looking at would be a rear strut brace, i know people who've had golf MKIV's which creak at the back, and the strut brace has cured the vast majoirty of them.

 

[IBD]

Could do, but I tend to use the boot a lot and drop the seats down, so it wont really be practical for me to fix a strut brace.

Will look into the FK's, there are 3 levels of FK coilover if I remember correctly.

 

[BHP Addict]

if money allows it then yes do collies and ARB's.

The highsports I am looking at retail at around £450 + fitting

ARB's aren't a necessity but are a good piece of kit.

 

[IBD]

The rears would be easy to fit, just need a coil compressor and you done after 3 bolts, the fronts would need a wheel alignment after though. Fitting should be more than 2 hours labour I wouldnt have thought, anymore than that and I think the would be taking the mick.
Think I might just get saving for a couple of months.