Top strut mounts
Posted: Fri Sep 29, 2017 3:00 am
A few weeks ago I had my exhaust & front suspension checked (where I'd bought a downpipe & tyres) because I've been getting an 'on-off-on' grinding noise when turning right, the higher the speed the more severe.
They checked everything, exhaust mounts solid etc. The only thing they found was "slight wear" in nearside strut rubber, all checked from underneath.
Although the mechanic who drove it round 'felt' the problem they couldn't find it. Slightly reassured It couldn't be too major , I drove around 560 miles round trip for a booked holiday, right-hand cornering like an old guy on Sunday driving his pride and joy .
Fast forward>>
Thursday 4.05
On left turns or over cobbles today was something I did recognise - the feel & sound of a broken offside drop-link.
Sure enough , a quick look showed the link snapped at the arm and was scoring the driveshaft.
As I was 15 miles from home and there was no way I was risking the drive like that ( maybe I am that old guy now ) , I called the AA, fully expecting I'd be towed.
I'm so disappointed in my maintenance, 3 years clean on this car ( 1st was silly, just after I bought it,leaking hose and the bonnet would just not open ) and now a drop link !
Anyway, 40 minutes later the yellow van arrives, confirms the drop link's broken and phones a local parts supplier Dingbro, (trade only sadly). - I'm told they have a lot of old oem parts in stock.
30 minutes after that he's returned with the part, fitted it and added a second locking nut, and got me to drive. He re-adjusted it after the drive for his satisfaction - I love a mechanic with a bit of ocd - there aren't enough
Cost for the part was nine pounds something, has to be paid by debit/credit, they don't take cash.
Now that I've waffled on, back to the title.
Although I've only owned 6 cars I've never had a problem with strut mounts ( probably why the symptoms were unknown to me ) - and it wasn't that long ago I was working under the bonnet.
I'm pretty sure I would have noticed what I have now, 800 miles later.
I think my mounts & bearings might need replaced. What you think ?
nearside;
offside;
It just seems to have suddenly happened, that's what I don't understand
Looks like I'll need to up the budget from originally arb bushes to shocks and maybe springs too ( I've got a pair of front eibach springs bought and never fitted to my sri but I'll need to check if they're suitable).
They checked everything, exhaust mounts solid etc. The only thing they found was "slight wear" in nearside strut rubber, all checked from underneath.
Although the mechanic who drove it round 'felt' the problem they couldn't find it. Slightly reassured It couldn't be too major , I drove around 560 miles round trip for a booked holiday, right-hand cornering like an old guy on Sunday driving his pride and joy .
Fast forward>>
Thursday 4.05
On left turns or over cobbles today was something I did recognise - the feel & sound of a broken offside drop-link.
Sure enough , a quick look showed the link snapped at the arm and was scoring the driveshaft.
As I was 15 miles from home and there was no way I was risking the drive like that ( maybe I am that old guy now ) , I called the AA, fully expecting I'd be towed.
I'm so disappointed in my maintenance, 3 years clean on this car ( 1st was silly, just after I bought it,leaking hose and the bonnet would just not open ) and now a drop link !
Anyway, 40 minutes later the yellow van arrives, confirms the drop link's broken and phones a local parts supplier Dingbro, (trade only sadly). - I'm told they have a lot of old oem parts in stock.
30 minutes after that he's returned with the part, fitted it and added a second locking nut, and got me to drive. He re-adjusted it after the drive for his satisfaction - I love a mechanic with a bit of ocd - there aren't enough
Cost for the part was nine pounds something, has to be paid by debit/credit, they don't take cash.
Now that I've waffled on, back to the title.
Although I've only owned 6 cars I've never had a problem with strut mounts ( probably why the symptoms were unknown to me ) - and it wasn't that long ago I was working under the bonnet.
I'm pretty sure I would have noticed what I have now, 800 miles later.
I think my mounts & bearings might need replaced. What you think ?
nearside;
offside;
It just seems to have suddenly happened, that's what I don't understand
Looks like I'll need to up the budget from originally arb bushes to shocks and maybe springs too ( I've got a pair of front eibach springs bought and never fitted to my sri but I'll need to check if they're suitable).