Top Mounts replaced with pics

[pj123]

Top mounts changed yesterday - found some of the guides a bit misleading as you dont need to undo and remove the lower part of the suspension on a standard S3 setup

Undo ARBs both sides
Undo xenon height sensor on passenger side
Undo top nut (with allen key through the centre of a spark plug socket)
Undo nut securing top mount onto damper (also using allen key and spark plug socket)
Spring compressors to shorten suspension an inch or two and replace top mount and bearing.
Just need to keep the damper extended whilst swopping over the bearings and top mount.

So you dont need a knuckle spreader etc.

I was starting to get denting on the underside of the bonnet. Glad I changed them as the ride is much better now, less of a thud over potholes.

Some before and after pics, hope they may be of help.

New and old

Drivers side top mount on the left which as the worst

 

[superkarl]

good work :icon_thumright:

 

[tubby-ben]

Top job , I'm doing my top mounts along with fitting my coilovers which should turn up early next week. Was it straight forward to take apart? Any stiff bolts etc?

 

[Tooks]

Excellent job there!

I think you've shown me that mine need doing, they sit like your 'before' pic...

Which mounts did you buy? How much and where from if you don't mind me asking?

 

[tubby-ben]

Excellent job there!

I think you've shown me that mine need doing, they sit like your 'before' pic...

Which mounts did you buy? How much and where from if you don't mind me asking?

I picked mine up from Audi directly, surprised how cheap they were, half the price of euro car parts and gsf. Give audi a call 1st....

 

[Wingnut Express]

I picked mine up from Audi directly, surprised how cheap they were, half the price of euro car parts and gsf. Give audi a call 1st....

Hey Ben

Do you have the part number of the Top Mounts?

Cheers
Ian

 

[pj123]

No particularly difficult bolts so long as you have correct tools for the top nuts and a spare jack to raise and lower arm.

I bought direct from dealer
Bearing part number - 1J0412249 - £6.40 +VAT each
Top Mount - 1J0412331C - £10.05 +VAT each

 

[beanoir]

Good work sir, I've been looking at doing mine soon and I'm glad to see it looks a bit easier than I thought!

 

[Sam_]

They don't seem to last long. Mine look like that first pic after < 10,000km/8 months ish

 

[pj123]

They don't seem to last long. Mine look like that first pic after < 10,000km/8 months ish

Do you have a completely standard setup?

 

[Schlaag]

How do you know these need doing? This is how mine look on a 108k mile car.. I assume std originals!

The car doesnt like bumps in the road at speed!

Worth replacing? I've heard people use Leon Cupra R ones?

thanks

Dave

 

[The Doctor]

Yes, have heard that the LCR top mounts are a harder rubber and so last longer. Need to do mine this summer too. Like the thread - thanks. So if I understand correctly:

Get car up on axle stands
Undo ARB & Xenon leveller
Undo top mount
Let suspension drop
Compress spring
Replace top mount & reverse steps above.

 

[Sam_]

well I run the standard top mounts etc yeah but run Bilstein Coilovers. Mine look like the above after that mileage.

Thinking about the h2 sport mounts

 

[Danman1]

Yes, have heard that the LCR top mounts are a harder rubber and so last longer. Need to do mine this summer too. Like the thread - thanks. So if I understand correctly:

Get car up on axle stands
Undo ARB & Xenon leveller
Undo top mount
Let suspension drop
Compress spring
Replace top mount & reverse steps above.

Thats how I think yeah, can someone confirm this...?

 

[vrbob]

After replacing my suspension earlier this year with an AP kit my top mounts look very high so after sseeing this thread i decided to purchase a set as mine must be OEM and 100k now.

So i looked on Ebay as didnt need to get anything OTT just OEm replacments should make a big difference to the old worn ones and found these eBay - The UK's Online Marketplace
for the price and a branded part (lemforder) i couldnt resist so have bought a set and will either have a go myself at fitting them or get them done with all my poly bushes once i finally get round to getting them done.

 

[Schlaag]

After replacing my suspension earlier this year with an AP kit my top mounts look very high so after sseeing this thread i decided to purchase a set as mine must be OEM and 100k now.

So i looked on Ebay as didnt need to get anything OTT just OEm replacments should make a big difference to the old worn ones and found these eBay - The UK's Online Marketplace
for the price and a branded part (lemforder) i couldnt resist so have bought a set and will either have a go myself at fitting them or get them done with all my poly bushes once i finally get round to getting them done.

and I have just bought the last set!!

let me know how you get on Rob! id like to fit these without removing the strut. I have spring clamp compressors to hand

thanks for the link!

 

[vrbob]

No probs mate, good work on getting the last set as i think for that price you cant really go wrong.

i dont have spring compressors (maybe something to buy next lol) so will see if i think its possible to do myself as it looks quite straight forward and am wondering as cos my suspension is lower than OEM it maybe easier to do.

If not i will get my local indy garage to do it with the Poly bush kit i have sat in my living room.

 

[Gops]

I've put LCR ones on and they feel stiffer. The front is defo more stiff than before. My old top mounts wernt too bad aswel. They are slightly taller too. Tuffty shows this in depth in his build thread.

 

[vrbob]

Cheers for the info Gops

 

[Gops]

Uprated top mounts

 

[vrbob]

Well just bought some cheap spring compressors off Ebay so may well give this a shot myself now when the bits show up.

 

[Schlaag]

Good lad! I'll be joining you then! any other bushes I can replace whilst doing this?

 

[vrbob]

As I have all the poly bushes you can get for an 8L if I spot any easy looking ones in my quest then they will get done at the same time

 

[s33nyboy12]

I have squeaking cornering at speed and think this is to do with my top mounts seizing as mine look like top thread first picture.

Can you guys let me know how you get on fitting these?

Only other thing Im thinking is if you guys do it easily surely It would only be like an hours labour at Indy garage plus part so £70 ish.... Got to be worth doing for that!

Cheers

 

[s33nyboy12]

No particularly difficult bolts so long as you have correct tools for the top nuts and a spare jack to raise and lower arm.

I bought direct from dealer
Bearing part number - 1J0412249 - £6.40 +VAT each
Top Mount - 1J0412331C - £10.05 +VAT each

Strut Top Mounts & Bearings PAIR Front Left or Right Mounting Bushes Bushing NEW | eBay

Just found these on the bay seem to be same part numbers ect.....

Cheers

 

[vrbob]

Strut Top Mounts & Bearings PAIR Front Left or Right Mounting Bushes Bushing NEW | eBay

Just found these on the bay seem to be same part numbers ect.....

Cheers

A saw those and was tempted for the price as they look ok but the ones i went for are a recognised brand hence the extra £10 so you should be good.

If you get some spring compressors like i did (under a £10 on Ebay) and your reasonably tool friendly you can save yourself the garage charges and do it yourself.

 

[vrbob]

Top mounts bearings and my cheapo spring compressors haver arrived so thats my weekend job to do.....

 

[kwistof]

Just thought I'd throw it out there to anyone looking to change the top mounts to Leon Cupra R OEM (harder rubber than the S3)

Awesome (free delivery) were cheaper than TPS by about £7 for the 2 bushes and bearings! lol

Btw- thanks for the pics of before and after OP, without them I woulnd't have known my top mounts were so ******!

 

[Darren4]

Just thought I'd throw it out there to anyone looking to change the top mounts to Leon Cupra R OEM (harder rubber than the S3)

Awesome (free delivery) were cheaper than TPS by about £7 for the 2 bushes and bearings! lol

Btw- thanks for the pics of before and after OP, without them I woulnd't have known my top mounts were so ******!

Cheers mate , you brought some and fitted to yours yet?

 

[vrbob]

Just thought I'd throw it out there to anyone looking to change the top mounts to Leon Cupra R OEM (harder rubber than the S3)

Awesome (free delivery) were cheaper than TPS by about £7 for the 2 bushes and bearings! lol

Btw- thanks for the pics of before and after OP, without them I woulnd't have known my top mounts were so ******!

Guess you mean these on awesomes website Awesome - OEM Leon Cupra R Top Mount Bushes (Pair)

they also do standard ones for half the price Awesome - Suspension Top Mount - All A3 8L, TT Mk1, Golf Mk4, Bora etc (Pair)

 

[vrbob]

i knew mine were a bit knackered when i put on my AP suspension.

Didnt realise they were as bad as the OP`s though and it looks quite straightforward to replace them will post before and after pics once they are fitted.

 

[Schlaag]

^^ and I will be watching!

 

[s33nyboy12]

I've bought bits from tps, need spring compressors, might beg or borrow some. Guys doing it this weekend let me know how u get on and tell me a novice whether I can do it easily enough???!

Though today I did change clutch pedal sensor, Dipstick and guide, n249 bypass and had front bumper off to fix rear washer pipe leak next to the washer bottle in wing had come apart!

Update how you got on .... My friend said need a jack for disc and leg.....? :-s I'm confused

 

[kwistof]

Cheers mate , you brought some and fitted to yours yet?

Well I've bought them on Wednesday so expect them to be with me on Saturday or Monday at the latest I hope....as I'll be getting them fitted on Tuesday! Lol

Vrbob- yeah I did see the standard ones there as well but as I've upgraded the suspension with AP coilovers I wanted to upgrade the bushes with a harder rubber and stay with vag branded parts to go with it. What did you opt for in the end?

 

[vrbob]

Well I've bought them on Wednesday so expect them to be with me on Saturday or Monday at the latest I hope....as I'll be getting them fitted on Tuesday! Lol

Vrbob- yeah I did see the standard ones there as well but as I've upgraded the suspension with AP coilovers I wanted to upgrade the bushes with a harder rubber and stay with vag branded parts to go with it. What did you opt for in the end?

I went for the OEM eqivilant but the Lemforder branded ones as i have heard they make quality components so for the £25 i paid inc P+P for the bushes and bearings i am happy to stick with standard and i am running AP shocks and springs as i just want to freshen up the old 100k old worn ones.

May well give this ago 2moro if i feel up to it lol

 

[sportstractor]

Iv done mine a couple times in the last 6 months, they don't seem to last very long, I originally used vw/Audi mounts and bearing and they gave way in a matter of months, i opted for lemforder ones this time from GSF which cost about £24 for 2 bushes and 2 bearings... Seem to be holding up so far

 

[Darren4]

Iv done mine a couple times in the last 6 months, they don't seem to last very long, I originally used vw/Audi mounts and bearing and they gave way in a matter of months, i opted for lemforder ones this time from GSF which cost about £24 for 2 bushes and 2 bearings... Seem to be holding up so far

you are/were using the Leon cupra r ones right? As £24 seems a good price

 

[sportstractor]

Nah just went for s3 ones, I did know about the LCR ones but couldn't be bothered... Getting pretty good at changing them now

 

[Dibdub1]

Thanks too for the top "before" pic OP, as I was curious as to why my offside strut top seems to sit like that!

So I think it'll either be worn bushes or not aligned/seated/mounted up properly (I think it'll be worn bushes more than anything though)

Let us all know how you get on changing them!

Also s33nyboy12, if you managed to do all of those bits with ease then the top mounts and bearings will be more than easy for you to replace! With regards to someone saying you need an extra jack for the disc/leg, they'll have been referring to using a jack to put under the disc/strut bottom to lower it down just enough to get the old top mount out and bearing and to put the new one in.

Once you've done that, you'll easily be able to jack the wishbone/strut back up to desired height in place in the strut tower so you can then easily bolt it all back up

Hope this helps fella!

Cheers,

Dibdub1

 

[s33nyboy12]

.

Also s33nyboy12, if you managed to do all of those bits with ease then the top mounts and bearings will be more than easy for you to replace! With regards to someone saying you need an extra jack for the disc/leg, they'll have been referring to using a jack to put under the disc/strut bottom to lower it down just enough to get the old top mount out and bearing and to put the new one in.

Once you've done that, you'll easily be able to jack the wishbone/strut back up to desired height in place in the strut tower so you can then easily bolt it all back up


Ahhhh haaaa, thanks for clearing that up! So in theory I could put axle stands under the jacking points then use my trolley jack to do the process you describe above??? I'm going to have to get spring clamps now. I got mine from tps hope they last longer than 6 months!! If they don't tps shall be having them back, receiving them by baseball throw across the trade counter!

Cheers, Sean

Hope this helps fella!

Cheers,

Dibdub1[/QUOTE]