Front Upper Strut Top Mount

A few years ago I installed Bilstein HD Shocks on my 2003 Jetta Wagon, and I double checked everything when putting them back together. I did notice that the front upper strut top "metal cap" did not sit down flush bit it did not appear to impact the driving so I really did not think much about it.


This week, I had my local Firestone dealership rotate and balance my tires and they said this was causing my upper strut to move around.


Here is what it looks like (on both sides).






Here is what it looks like with the "metal cap" removed.



Here is my setup for getting the nut tightened down to secure the "metal cap" down as far as it can go.



Is there any problem with the "metal cap" not going flush with the frame of the car?

Funny, I had Firestone do my alignment recently, my strut towers look the same as yours, and they didn't say squat. Does your upper strut actually move around a bunch?

Nero Morg said:

Funny, I had Firestone do my alignment recently, my strut towers look the same as yours, and they didn't say squat. Does your upper strut actually move around a bunch?

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Not that I can tell.

Everything about this setup (Bilstien HD Shocks, MetalMan Installation Kit with OEM Springs) is such an improvement.

I did notice this weekend that my OEM Lower Control Arm Rear Bushings were pretty shot (190k), so I purchased both sides of these lower control arms from idparts. For less than $83 for the arms, TT rear bushing, front bushing, outer ball joint and hardware it was a not brainer. I'll keep my old arms and if these fail I can just buy the parts and install them, but these will just be a remove and replace. I am also replacing the front sway bar bushings as they also have 190k miles.

The gap is completely 100% normal.

Not uncommon to wonder... lots of threads here like yours here over the years..but that's the normal look of that specific design. With the car on the road all is well.

Those strut bushings look shot. In the one picture it's cracked almost all the way around where the bearing is underneath. I'd replace the strut bushing and bearing underneath.

Eric

Key words in the post is "a few years ago." Strut mounts on these cars don't last very long. After 3-4 years, depending on how and where you drive, you should replace them. You can get new ones in place without removing the strut.

Completely normal, it’s the way these cars were designed.

Anyone's take on their favorite brand of bushing?

I havn't read anywhere that someone says one lasts longer than another.

I'm not sure that one last longer than another, but these might be a little more durable: https://www.idparts.com/track-density-strut-mount-a4-p-1785.html

IndigoBlueWagon said:

You can get new ones in place without removing the strut.

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I might be able to figure this out on my own, but do you know where I might find instructions on replacing the upper strut mounts without removing the whole strut?

I believe they did it here.

http://forums.tdiclub.com/showthread.php?t=74863

Not sure why we can't see the pictures now.

Fahrvegnugen said:

https://forums.vwvortex.com/showthr...t-Strut-Mounts-Cupra-R-Mounts#/topics/7166903

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That's the hard way.

You don't need spring compressors on the passenger side, just take the sway bar end link loose and turn the steering to left lock.

Simon