Top mount knocking driving me insane!

[Ethan1996]

Basically my cars had a deep rattle from the front left for a while, have taken off the cover under the scuttle panel and the washer that would normally be there has just eroded into nothing, so on the drivers side you can see the washer bit is fine, and the passenger side its disappeared and its this extra gap that's making it rattle. What do I need to do to fix this? Tried taking the bolt off the top and it doesn't seem to want to go anywhere but it still turns? Can I literally just buy a new washer in somewhere like Halfords and get it fitted by a mechanic fairly cheaply or is it a bigger issue than this?

The car is a 2006 1.2 MK3 clio, I've also been advised the steering track rod ends both need replacing on it because they have play and are very worn so taking it into a garage ASAP for that.

Thanks

 

[Knuckles]

Take it to a garage and say 'can you put a new washer on this please?' I would've thought you could just unscrew it though. Have you looked under the arch (with the wheel off) to see what's holding it on?

 

[Ethan1996]

Take it to a garage and say 'can you put a new washer on this please?' I would've thought you could just unscrew it though. Have you looked under the arch (with wheel off) to see what's holding it on?

The bolt just spins on the spot it doesent tighten or loosen, otherwise I'd try and get one and do it myself what would I be looking for under the arch? The steering track rod ends? Just going by what the AA guy said needed doing really for the steering but I can see myself the washers missing and even have the remains of it in my hand

 

[Knuckles]

Sounds like there could be a nut under it stopping it from undoing, you'll need to get a socket on it if so. But I can't confirm as I've not had my suspension off

 

[Ethan1996]

Sounds like there could be a nut under it stopping it from undoing, you'll need to get a socket on it if so. But I can't confirm as I've not had my suspension off

Not got the washer yet to replace it, been to a few garages they all said it'd need the top mount replacing at once as they can't just get hold of the washer alone, anyone got any ideas how much this would cost for a new top mount fitted? Just the standard one and on the passenger side if this matters.

Also, the AA said the steering track rod ends need replacing apparently on both sides as theres slight play, so anyone got any ideas how much this would be roughly? Got quotes for both bits of working coming on Monday but just want to be sure they're about right!

Thanks

 

[Strettman]

hi, does the tip of the damper (where you can see the threads sticking out above the nut) have a allen key slot to put an allen key into or a hex end? the reason why your top mount won't undo is probably because it is also turning the damper, you need to stop the damper from turning whilst undoing the nut.

 

[Ethan1996]

hi, does the tip of the damper (where you can see the threads sticking out above the nut) have a allen key slot to put an allen key into or a hex end? the reason why your top mount won't undo is probably because it is also turning the damper, you need to stop the damper from turning whilst undoing the nut.

Yeah it does, tried turning this with an allen key at the same time as undoing the nut with the spanner. Is it more a case of holding one still while undoing the other one?

 

[Strettman]

Yeah it does, tried turning this with an allen key at the same time as undoing the nut with the spanner. Is it more a case of holding one still while undoing the other one?

you want to be turning the spanner to undo the nut whilst trying to hold the allen key still

 

[Ethan1996]

you want to be turning the spanner to undo the nut whilst trying to hold the allen key still

Didn't even occur to me :$ Would it be a case of just changing the washer do you think and it'll be fine? That's the only bit that looks even slightly damaged...

Not sure where id go to get one though!

 

[Strettman]

Didn't even occur to me :$ Would it be a case of just changing the washer do you think and it'll be fine? That's the only bit that looks even slightly damaged...

Not sure where id go to get one though!

in all honesty i don't know, if it now has free play because the washer has been wrecked then it will probably stop it.

make sure the threads on the end of the damper are pretty clean of rust and muck before you start to remove the nut, if it isn't the use a wire brush and some penetrating spray (WD40 etc.)

 

[Ethan1996]

in all honesty i don't know, if it now has free play because the washer has been wrecked then it will probably stop it.

make sure the threads on the end of the damper are pretty clean of rust and muck before you start to remove the nut, if it isn't the use a wire brush and some penetrating spray (WD40 etc.)

Brilliant i'll try and source a washer and fix it this way Will have a go at unbolting it tomorrow morning, thanks alot!

 

[Ethan1996]

Ordered what I think is a suitable washer! The same ones used to fix the MK2 knocking? Seems to be the same size as they say it should be about 3 - mm under 20mm and the broken one i took off was 17mm so let's hope it works!

 

[Strettman]

Ordered what I think is a suitable washer! The same ones used to fix the MK2 knocking? Seems to be the same size as they say it should be about 3 - mm under 20mm and the broken one i took off was 17mm so let's hope it works!

did you ever get it sorted?

 

[Ethan1996]

did you ever get it sorted?

Hey, Yes I did thanks for your help! Got the nut undone finally, had to call in a favour from my mate who's a para and my girlfriends dad (quite a large chap) to undo the nut as a air gun just span it and I had no hope! Eventually the nut undid and I put on the washer, the MK2 knocking fix washer is slightly too big so I solved this by putting on a second washer above that is 12mm internal hole diameter (12mm bolt) and 30mm outside diameter. This coupled with the MK2 knocking fix solved the issue and looks very oem like it should do in my opinion, going to do the other side to match because I'm OCD like that

 

[Strettman]

haha, good to hear, i just was wondering if you got around to getting it sorted and it it was the washer causing the problems!

thanks

 

[Ethan1996]

haha, good to hear, i just was wondering if you got around to getting it sorted and it it was the washer causing the problems!

thanks

Yeah it was the washer Ill post up a picture tomorrow hopefully if the second washer arrives to do the other side (thought id do it to prevent any future knocking and to make it look even more OEM)