Top mounts How too?

[Azman]

Guys anyone tell me how to change the top mounts please and what tools will I need??

Cheers

Aaron

[mcandmar]

You have to remove and dismantle the strut, two 17mm (maybe 19mm ) nuts and bolts hold the strut to the hub, 17mm on the tie rod end, 17mm on the arb links, and 10mm's for the bracket that holds the brake lines. You also need to undo the top caliper bolt (12mm i think) and push it out of the way to remove the strut bolts.

Cant remember what size the top nut is, i use an O2 socket to remove it whatever size that is, there is a allen key slot in the top of the shock to hold it with.

Once you get the strut out you need a coil spring compressor to unload the top mount, then there is a keyed locking nut, can be removed with hammer and screwdriver. The proper tool makes it easier to tighten, you get one free with konis.

Have a look at your bump stops before you do as mine were toast, best to do them while your in there.

Mark.

[S2 Ant]

Nuts on the struet / Hub assembly from memory are 20mm/21mm i'll find out tomorrow when i take them off again lol

[Jamo]

http://www.s2-audi.co.uk/tech_articles/top_mount_replace.htm

[S2 Ant]

Good link Jamo, was wondering what the TRE Nut was meant to be torqued up to

[Mikes2]

I would not advise dismantling the strut / hub assembly when changing top mounts as this will destroy your camber settings. The workshop manual specifically advises you not to seperate these nuts / bolts.

[iain1067]

Are the stuts not unboltable half way down so you end up with like half a strut and not having to touch/split the lower half with the wishbone and all that??? it was like this on my old90q 20v, was a piece of cake compared to typ85 suspension that i had done before.


Iain

[Azman]

Well started and finished without getting any where. I will have another go in a few weeks when I get a couple of days off.

Cheers Dudes.

Back to this banging I have. It's got worse as I was expecting with the bigger wheels. But I still canna find where from. Gonna get a mate of mine in with me on it now as it is doing my head in.

[Greg_S]

Azman,

are you coming to the garage meet? it is something that could certainly be done there. It only take an hour to get the struts off normally.

[Jeffer]

@ Mcandmar
It's not mandatory to take the upright of the hub-carrier. I always loosen the cv joint that connects to the hub-carrier. that way the alignment doesn't get screwed up.

[Greg_S]

yeah thats what i normally do also. two large bolts isnt it

[Azman]

The top nuts, I used a 22mm swan neck and an allen key to get rid of them. No probs just the rest of it that did me in and you should now see the state of my nuckles. Nice big black skuff marks from hitting the tarmac a bit too hard. DOH.

[4WheelDrifter]

Dismantle the strut? Next you'll be telling me you have to take the wheels off!
Or am I doing it wrong.
I've found it helps if your car is lowered, and gas dampers can help too.

[pixsaudisex2]

strut tops

well when i changed my first strut tops i didnt even take the shocks of the car (just the top nut and retaing funnie screw) i used a spring compressor to compress the shock and i was able to put the new stut top on and then re do the nuts up though the shock tower there was a few seconds were i was really hoping the springs wouldnt pop up as well i dont think id have any fingers left.. this was a very fast way of doing it and i never lost a single bit of camber or had any tracking issues as no nuts were undone..

[4WheelDrifter]

That's the way.
Jack the car up, reach into the arch over the wheel, pull the springs down, undo the top mounts, then replace.
The only tricky bit I found, is when the dampers want to sink as you're relocating the top mounts.