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[Sir Tigger KC]

I had go with a pry bar around the front suspension today and there's loads of vertical play in the off side strut when I lever the roll bar against the wishbone if that makes sense. 

The knuts on the top of the strut are tight but it moves as if they're loose.    This is consistent with the noises I get when the offside wheel hits a pothole or bump. 

So is this what I need? and should I do both sides?  As the near side is nice and tight! 

http://www.allgermanparts.co.uk/steering-and-suspension/shocks-struts/lemforder-rep.-kit-suspension-strut-bearing-3137101-45745?group=84

The front wishbone bushes have a bit of play as well, but I'm not sure how much is normal.   

[BazaJT]

For what it's worth I've always been a big believer in replacing suspension bushes etc. in pairs then you're starting on a level playing field.

[05omegav6]

There's about 3/8" vertically give normally.

On the ground, the top mount cup sits about 3/8" OFF the inner wing. But take the weight off the whee I s and you won't get a fag paper in between them

[chrisgixer]

Poly the wishbones if in doubt.

Not had a top mount fail personally. But as Al says, remember its unloaded.

And always replace in pairs. You'll need set up, which will likely need doing again when the other side fails in short order. Plus it sounds like you may need the wishbones doing anyway.

[chrisgixer]

How old, many miles?

[Nick W]

Poly the wishbones if in doubt.

Not had a top mount fail personally. But as Al says, remember its unloaded.

They don't fail so much as compress. This isn't always obvious until you have a new one of the correct height. There was a 10mm difference between my new and old ones.

[Sir Tigger KC]

Hmmm I thought it was strange that there was such a difference between both sides and the vertical movement in the offside strut feels abnormal. 

I do plan on poly bushing the front wishbone bushes, but at the moment it handles fine and noise I get is a creaking noise from the offside rather than a knocking. The amount of vertical play in the offside strut just dosn't 'feel' right to me..... 

It would help if I knew what I was doing! 

[Mr Gav]

Poly the wishbones if in doubt.

Not had a top mount fail personally. But as Al says, remember its unloaded.

They don't fail so much as compress. This isn't always obvious until you have a new one of the correct height. There was a 10mm difference between my new and old ones.

I found that when I replaced the strut top bushes on my Senator, they do compress quite a bit.

[chrisgixer]

Will poly monaro fit?

[Sir Tigger KC]

They don't fail so much as compress. This isn't always obvious until you have a new one of the correct height. There was a 10mm difference between my new and old ones.

I'd imagine though that they'd compress evenly on both sides though.   

As said the offside has lots of vertical movement whereas the nearside dosn't.  The tyres are wearing evenly and there are no nasty handling characteristics, so I'm still trying to get my head around this to be honest and I don't want to start buying parts unless I'm sure it will solve the problem. 

[05omegav6]

Will poly monaro fit?

Never got around to obtaining a set... was going to leave it until the front shocks give up

I would have thought so, but p/ns are different... might be worth obtaining either a second hand or cheap pattern Monaro one to compare dimensions with the Omega one

[05omegav6]

Tigg, for checking purposes, car on the ground, undo the top nut, and lift off the cup.

There's another nut underneath it, so you won't release anything vital, but it will give you a clear view of the top of the bush to check for cracks as you turn it lock to lock

Don't jack the car without the cup fitted securely as gravity always wins and the strut will drop...

[Sir Tigger KC]

Thanks Al I'll have a look at that later. 

[Sir Tigger KC]

I had a quick look earlier and removed the knut and cup.  The knut underneath was a bit loose and I managed to tighten it a fair bit, but there's still a screechy creek noise when I go over my favourite pothole..... 

I couldn't really see if anything was wrong with the bush, but as said it was only a quick look, so will have to investigate further. 

[Weds]

Tigg, for checking purposes, car on the ground, undo the top nut, and lift off the cup.

There's another nut underneath it, so you won't release anything vital, but it will give you a clear view of the top of the bush to check for cracks as you turn it lock to lock

Don't jack the car without the cup fitted securely as gravity always wins and the strut will drop...

My nearside front has been crashing and banging over potholes for sometime, decided to check underneath the cup, found the nut loose by a few turns, now tightened up.. Hopefully that might go some way to curing the noise..