'Play' In Top Mounts?

[PeteCup]

let me know dude defo interested but still need to try the washers ive got
what the best way of removing the strut top?

Will do mate, will post back in this thread as and when i have some made (should be titanium too). You will have to remove the whole damper to get the top mount off, it only takes 5mins to whip the damper off (i used Fubars guide http://www.fubarnet.com/fitting_springs.html) really is juat a case of: loosen top mount cap (under bonnet), put car on stands, wheels off, remove both bolts securing damper to hub, then remove top mount cap to drop damper out, then just undo the nut on top of the damper (may need spring compressors). Will want the tracking done after refitting dampers too i would have thought. Its all in that guide anyway

If your just fitting the washers to start with then all you have to do is remove the top mount cap with a 21mm spanner and a 6mm allen key, drop the washer in then refit the cap. (no need for tracking to be done after)

 

[Ollie82.]

Pete, can you make me a set of these shims? I think i have the same issue!

 

[PeteCup]

I wont be on a late shift again untill the week starting on the 23rd june, but when i am i'll do my best to knock up a few sets so people can try them out. My only concern is that what fits my top mounts 'may' not fit somone elses due to the fact Renault may have been inconsistant with respect to dimensions when making these parts. But its certainly worth trying.

 

[matty J]

defo its always worth a try

 

[Ollie82.]

Well i've got a similar amount of play in my top mount assembly. I keep meaning to replace them....i've had enough bloody chances to...the struts have been off about 3 times in the past year or so!
This might be a less costly solution!

 

[PeteCup]

Well i've got a similar amount of play in my top mount assembly. I keep meaning to replace them....i've had enough bloody chances to...the struts have been off about 3 times in the past year or so!
This might be a less costly solution!

I'm sure someone told me that even new top mounts have quite a bit a play in them, so a waste of money buying new if thats the case.

 

[Ollie82.]

Wouldn't surprise me. So basically the shim sits inside the existing metal sleeve and prevents any excess movement correct?
What does shortening the sleeve do?

 

[PeteCup]

Wouldn't surprise me. So basically the shim sits inside the existing metal sleeve and prevents any excess movement correct?
What does shortening the sleeve do?

The shim slides over the existing sleeve to remove left right forward and backward play and shortening the sleeve removes up and down play, if that makes sense. Its hard to explain, but so simple. If i can get some made up they'll be a one piece design so there wont be any nedd for a shim and it'll just be a case of removing the old sleeve and fitting my new on in its place.

 

[andrebailliesearle]

Just to throw another idea around......there must be other rubber mounts and bearings that are similar fit i.e. golf mk4 rubber dougnut and bearing are similar from what i can remeber and the bearing is a proper bearing. Would this be worth looking into as when did the top mounts on my golf the bearing were nice fit and smooth unlike the cheapo renault item.

 

[PeteCup]

Just to throw another idea around......there must be other rubber mounts and bearings that are similar fit i.e. golf mk4 rubber dougnut and bearing are similar from what i can remeber and the bearing is a proper bearing. Would this be worth looking into as when did the top mounts on my golf the bearing were nice fit and smooth unlike the cheapo renault item.

Would be great yeah, but that means aquiring a Renault top mount as well as a few others and comparing them.

 

[Butler205]

I was just going to mod the existing sleeve. How much did you trim off the bottom?

 

[PeteCup]

My sleeve ended up with an overall length of 16.40mm, i dont know if that'll be the same for you so may be worth taking a small amount off at a time untill you get a nice fit but still allow the bearing to move.

 

[andrebailliesearle]

Just had my sleeves off again as the old man is going machine a couple up for me to try but in the mean time had a little idea for trial or error lol to use insulation tape arapped around the sleeve to make it a temporary better fit in the rubber, dont know if i will tell any difference will let you know tomorrow.

 

[PeteCup]

Just had my sleeves off again as the old man is going machine a couple up for me to try but in the mean time had a little idea for trial or error lol to use insulation tape arapped around the sleeve to make it a temporary better fit in the rubber, dont know if i will tell any difference will let you know tomorrow.

Worth a go but probably wouldnt last for very long as i'm guessing theres alot of force in that area which could easily destroy the tape.

 

[andrebailliesearle]

Will

 

[andrebailliesearle]

will drive for a day and take out if the differrence is noticable almost immediately i cant wait for the new sleeve to come, hurry up dad!!!!

 

[PeteCup]

will drive for a day and take out if the differrence is noticable almost immediately i cant wait for the new sleeve to come, hurry up dad!!!!

Hopefully a new good fitting sleeve will sort you out, if not you may have to add Freds washer fix too.

 

[Turner]

id purchase a set of these too

 

[andrebailliesearle]

Just been talkn with the old man, the top of the sleeve that the 17mm nut tightens onto, if you make that thicker than the renault item wouldnt that do the same trick as the traditional washer fix i.e. lift the top cap further above the strut top? if so then 2 birds could be killed with some time on a lathe???

 

[PeteCup]

Just been talkn with the old man, the top of the sleeve that the 17mm nut tightens onto, if you make that thicker than the renault item wouldnt that do the same trick as the traditional washer fix i.e. lift the top cap further above the strut top? if so then 2 birds could be killed with some time on a lathe???

Hmmm, i cant remember exactly where the washer goes tbh, i only did it once quickly and didnt like it. I know that some people have had to remove the washer fix in order to pass an MOT as it can cause more play as the top rubber cap isnt being allowed to scew down tightly to the turrets. So its a gamble really if you build it in.

 

[PeteCup]

While you have your sleeves out could you measure one for me please as i lost the dimensions and mine are back in the car? Will need full dimensions of the whole thing.

 

[andrebailliesearle]

The cap doesnt screw down tightly on turret but it basically stops the strut falling off car i.e if the wheel was off ground and shockabsorber fully extended (why cant it be like every other car and bolt on to the turret), i believe the washer fix just raises the cap a little bit.

 

[PeteCup]

Yeah your right, only problem i found was that with the washers fitted i had more knocking when the the front suspension was unsprung. I think the normal 'kocking on full lock' was improved but i couldnt put up with the unsprung knocking i was getting over bumps.

 

[matty J]

mine still creaks with the cap on im gonna try and re grease it today and take it from there

 

[Butler205]

Put me down for set of sleeves.

Great work.

 

[-Make-]

solid top mounts are way to go!
soo brilliant, more sharp without noise.

 

[PeteCup]

solid top mounts are way to go!
soo brilliant, more sharp without noise.

Yes but at £150+ its not everyones ideal solution. I'm after some myself actually but the group buy isnt looking great.

 

[-J-]

solid top mounts are way to go!
soo brilliant, more sharp without noise.

Yes but at £150+ its not everyones ideal solution. I'm after some myself actually but the group buy isnt looking great.

Im wanting some as well, like you though the Group buy dont look to good

 

[andrebailliesearle]

Im hopefully getting my new sleeves on tuesday as dad machining a set today for me and when i eventually get the overall length of sleeve that needed to replace the renault item he is going to machine a set up and depends how long it going to take him he will consider making some sets up to sell in limited numbers.

 

[andrebailliesearle]

Fitted the top mount sleeve that dad made up, perfect fit as built to same dimension as petecups, removed any play and steering feels more direct to.

 

[Butler205]

Maybe this is already covered, but if you fit the sleeves, you don't need to modify anything else?

 

[PeteCup]

Fitted the top mount sleeve that dad made up, perfect fit as built to same dimension as petecups, removed any play and steering feels more direct to.

Sweet! Nice one mate!

 

[matty J]

so can you make more??mines doing my head in

 

[PeteCup]

Maybe this is already covered, but if you fit the sleeves, you don't need to modify anything else?

Yeah it seems we have to options:

1. Shorten original sleeve & add custom shim.

2. Make custom 1-piece sleeve that is shorter and incorporates the shim.

As for making more, i personally won't be able to for a while as i only have access to machines every other week and currently already have a lot of work to do.

 

[matty J]

Maybe this is already covered, but if you fit the sleeves, you don't need to modify anything else?

Yeah it seems we have to options:

1. Shorten original sleeve & add custom shim.

2. Make custom 1-piece sleeve that is shorter and incorporates the shim.

As for making more, i personally won't be able to for a while as i only have access to machines every other week and currently already have a lot of work to do.

i can wait

 

[PeteCup]

i can wait

Well as and when then i'll post in here again If yours are creaking try taking the top bit off and pouring some oil onto the rubber.

 

[Butler205]

I can wait too, I have survived for 12months.

It will be a couple of weeks til i get the car apart.

 

[mark989]

what is the price on a sleeve

 

[andrebailliesearle]

I spoke to my dad before, the sleeves are harder to machine than a whole complete sleeve to the new dimension, only thing i will need some help with pete wink wink is the overall length of the complete sleeve then i will get some machined up and try them, i have got a spring creaking on 1 side which i think is the spring not seating properly but il sort that out later but im happy with results, as to how many dad can make i dont know andif he did what are they worth?

 

[Butler205]

If those top mount washers are worth £10, a machined sleeve, with the shim built in, as got to be worth double that.

I'd like the fill dimensions for a 1 piece shim/sleeve as I have a mate with a lathe. I just need to check that it will do metal, and not just wood and plastic.