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Suspension Top Mounts...advice...?????
Posted: Tue Mar 04, 2008 7:11 pm
by Lig
Hi Chaps,
I have been reading various threads about replacing DRC with KW etc... and members also mention replacing top mounts??
My car is currently waiting to have the DRC (shocks and valves) replaced under warranty, would it be worth me shelling out to replace the top mounts at the same time?? How much would this cost and does anyone have part codes for the said items???
Car has done 70K miles BTW.
Cheers in advance,
Lig.
Re: Suspension Top Mounts...advice...?????
Posted: Tue Mar 04, 2008 8:43 pm
by shunt1tech
Lig wrote:Hi Chaps,
I have been reading various threads about replacing DRC with KW etc... and members also mention replacing top mounts??
My car is currently waiting to have the DRC (shocks and valves) replaced under warranty, would it be worth me shelling out to replace the top mounts at the same time?? How much would this cost and does anyone have part codes for the said items???
Car has done 70K miles BTW.
Cheers in advance,
Lig.

Hi Lig , unless the cars had impact damage or excessive corrosion there is no need to replace. Upper links arms yes if splitting bushes, play in ball joints or corrsion to ball joint where top pinch bolt is fixed . this top must be replaced if removed when front strut being taken out for damper change.
Stu.
Re: Suspension Top Mounts...advice...?????
Posted: Wed Mar 05, 2008 9:46 am
by Lig
shunt1tech wrote:
this top must be replaced if removed when front strut being taken out for damper change.
Stu.
Hi Stu,
Thanks for your response, Just to clarify your comment above, all the shocks are being replaced so what should be replaced 'the top pinch bolts'?? and can I assume these will be changed as standard, I did notice on the quote there was about £20 or so for bolts etc??
Cheers,
Lig.
Suspension Top Mounts...advice...?????
Posted: Wed Mar 05, 2008 11:09 am
by SimonY
Lig,
Just to say that I had my DRC replaced back in November when the car had only covered 20K miles. As per the Bilstein upgrade sticky, asked Fontain to replace the top mounts and they did say that there was "some" wear and agreed it made sense to change them out at the same time. Cost for the 2 mounts was £56.80 plus the VAT.
Regards
Simon
RE: Suspension Top Mounts...advice...?????
Posted: Wed Mar 05, 2008 2:11 pm
by Lig
Cheers Simon,
I will ask the Audi Tech to have a look and advise....hmmmmm...I wonder what he will say....

RE: Suspension Top Mounts...advice...?????
Posted: Wed Mar 05, 2008 8:10 pm
by grizz
Lig , get all 4 top rubber mounts replaced as all the cars i've done have needed them . You don't need to undo the top pinch bolt .

RE: Suspension Top Mounts...advice...?????
Posted: Thu Mar 06, 2008 9:55 am
by Lig
Thanks Grizz,
Are these the top mounts that SimonY mentioned above? Dont suppose you know part numbers or prices???
Cheers,
Lig.
Suspension Top Mounts...advice...?????
Posted: Thu Mar 06, 2008 10:50 am
by SimonY
Lig,
The part numbers and pictures of, are all in the Bilstein upgrade sticky but they're quoted as
*** Other Suspension Bits***
Qty Item Part Number
1-pair Front suspension top mounts 4D0 412 377 F
1-pair Rear suspension top mounts 8E0 512 121 D
Regards
Simon
RE: Suspension Top Mounts...advice...?????
Posted: Tue Mar 11, 2008 12:22 am
by marmite
I agree replace them
I had my DRC replaced and I just ordered 4 top mounts nuts and bolts from DSwagen
Posted: Tue Mar 11, 2008 2:41 pm
by Lig
Interesting.....
The car is going in next week for valves and shocks replacing, and the service manager doesn't think the top mounts will need replacing, which is really honest as it would be easy for him to say get them done. He did say if the car was used for serious track work then maybe, but if its been used for general driving they would be fine??!!
He is going to check them when the car is in and I will report back what the outcome is??!!
Lig.
Posted: Wed Mar 12, 2008 12:59 pm
by grizz
There seems to be some confusion about top mounts , The fronts are a small rubber bush that sits under the top of the bearing bracket .
These fail all the time , i think they we mean the top bearing plate that is alloy .
Posted: Wed Mar 12, 2008 1:55 pm
by Rupert
Grizz, what are the symptoms of failing rubber bushes?
Posted: Wed Mar 12, 2008 3:42 pm
by grizz
It makes a light "knock" or rattle . Even when they are split they can still be quiet .
Posted: Wed Mar 12, 2008 5:55 pm
by SteveCuz
I wonder is that my problem. Since joining this forum I was sure my DRC was gone as I hear a rattle from time to time but my car was serviced last week and the mechanic said there was no sign of leaking and that if the system was drained I would really know about it when I was driving.
Also my car passed it's MOT today (was sweating all the way) and this included a test on the suspension.
Steve
Posted: Wed Mar 12, 2008 6:26 pm
by Lig
I am sure they are referring to the alloy piece (as pictured at the beginning of the bilstein sticky).
So these small rubber bushes, would they be replaced by default when changing the shocks? Would you be able to see if they are shot when the shocks are removed?
Any idea of part number / price??
Cheers,
Lig.