front strut top mounts

[nick]

hello all,

the car has a creaking sound that sounds like its coming from the front strut top mounts.

when i push down on the wing, the noise definitely seems to be coming from that area and there is a small amount of upwards movement of the top part of the strut where it passes through the top mount - is this normal ?. the nearside strut is not making a noise but still has some upwards movement (not as much as the o/side)

i assume both sides would need to be replaced - would i need the spring seat and the support plate ?. any ideas of part numbers ? - its a '96 855R

is it a difficult job to do bearing in mind i'm not the most experienced mechanic in the world ?

is it dangerous to run the car like this until i can get some new parts fitted ?


sorry about all the questions !!

thanks for any advice

nick


edit : i should read the forums first ....looks like a garage job as i don't have any spring compressors etc etc - apologies

[cameron]

Change the complete strut mate, Half an hour to do both sides

[Rufe]

it should be ok to drive a short while like it, but not recomended.

I would say to just order two top mount spring seats, part number [8646713] x2, works out at £52.00 plus postage for a pair, including vat from here, for brand new genuine ones. Really speaking its quite rare for the support plates to fail and we rarely sell them.

Simon

[cherry1809]

Could be the lower part, Mine have been banging and creaking around for ages.
Easy job really, I just couldn't get hold of any on the Sunday I had them in bits.

[Rufe]

yes its generally the lower parts that always fail as i was saying. i've changed mine about a year ago on the C70, nothing worng with the upper parts at all.

[nick]

thanks for the replies. turns out both top mount spring seats are shot to pieces and both front shocks are knackered (very little resistance) - a bit more expensive than i first thought but should sort it out (until the next creak/knock !!)

nick

[Jaseb77]

I have always change the upper and lower part.
rubber mount and support plate

if i'd have known it was mainly the rubber bit that fails could have saved some money ( and spent that on maintaining my wifes heap of cr4p Laguna)