TDI_G
Veteran Member
Front Strut Bushings and Strut Bearing Replacement VW MK4 (A4). Fast and easy!
First of all, as a disclaimer, this repair is part of the AArodriguez/FixMyVw Sponsored Repair program. Information regarding this program can be found here: http://www.fixmyvw.com/sponsored-repairs/
All of the parts used were purchased from FixMyVW.com. Here is a link to the bushings I purchased http://www.fixmyvw.com/cupra-r-front-strut-mount-bushings-1ml412331/
Part number is 1ML412331 for the Cupra R Mounts (worth the extra price in my opinion). The part number for the original mounts is 1J0498249G. Part number for strut mount bearings is 1J0412249.
This how-to is to teach you how to swap out your worn out and squashed front strut mounts and bearings without removing the entire strut itself which can get quite involved. With this method, you don’t even have to remove the wheels.
Tools required:
1) A floor jack and a jack stand
2) Either the Metalnerd strut nut removal tool and a 7MM allen socket with extension or a 13/16” spark plug socket and a 7MM allen wrench with something to hold it with (a small box end wrench or anything else that will allow you to get torque on the allen wrench). If using the spark plug socket, use an adjustable wrench or an appropriate size wrench to turn the socket with. I used the Metalnerd tool and recommend using it.
3) A torque wrench
4) Coil spring compressors which can be loaned from any major auto parts store. More on the spring compressor later.
Total time for me to do the job was less than an hour.
Here you can see how much gap there is with the old mounts. Some may say this is normal. It bothered me and that is the reason why I am upgrading these mounts.
Here is a pic of the new mounts along with the new bearings.
First step is to remove the little plastic cap and set it aside (sorry no photo but very simple).
You will notice that there are two types of nuts used on this. The nut that holds the strut cap on does not have a shoulder and the nut that holds the mount in place has a shoulder. You will need to remove the first nut, remove the cup, then remove the second nut. You will need to use the 7MM allen wrench to counter-hold the strut while loosening the nuts. Loosen both nuts with the weight of the car on its wheels (not jacked up) and then install only the nut without the shoulder. What this does is hold the strut/spring assembly together and will allow you to remove the mount.
Only the nut without the shoulder is installed at this point
First of all, as a disclaimer, this repair is part of the AArodriguez/FixMyVw Sponsored Repair program. Information regarding this program can be found here: http://www.fixmyvw.com/sponsored-repairs/
All of the parts used were purchased from FixMyVW.com. Here is a link to the bushings I purchased http://www.fixmyvw.com/cupra-r-front-strut-mount-bushings-1ml412331/
Part number is 1ML412331 for the Cupra R Mounts (worth the extra price in my opinion). The part number for the original mounts is 1J0498249G. Part number for strut mount bearings is 1J0412249.
This how-to is to teach you how to swap out your worn out and squashed front strut mounts and bearings without removing the entire strut itself which can get quite involved. With this method, you don’t even have to remove the wheels.
Tools required:
1) A floor jack and a jack stand
2) Either the Metalnerd strut nut removal tool and a 7MM allen socket with extension or a 13/16” spark plug socket and a 7MM allen wrench with something to hold it with (a small box end wrench or anything else that will allow you to get torque on the allen wrench). If using the spark plug socket, use an adjustable wrench or an appropriate size wrench to turn the socket with. I used the Metalnerd tool and recommend using it.
3) A torque wrench
4) Coil spring compressors which can be loaned from any major auto parts store. More on the spring compressor later.
Total time for me to do the job was less than an hour.
Here you can see how much gap there is with the old mounts. Some may say this is normal. It bothered me and that is the reason why I am upgrading these mounts.
Here is a pic of the new mounts along with the new bearings.
First step is to remove the little plastic cap and set it aside (sorry no photo but very simple).
You will notice that there are two types of nuts used on this. The nut that holds the strut cap on does not have a shoulder and the nut that holds the mount in place has a shoulder. You will need to remove the first nut, remove the cup, then remove the second nut. You will need to use the 7MM allen wrench to counter-hold the strut while loosening the nuts. Loosen both nuts with the weight of the car on its wheels (not jacked up) and then install only the nut without the shoulder. What this does is hold the strut/spring assembly together and will allow you to remove the mount.
Only the nut without the shoulder is installed at this point