mk4 golf top mount shot

I can't think of a way to do it without removing the strut. Spring compressors are fine if used with care- just make sure they're well seated. Remove the strut complete, fit the compressor, change the top mount, remove compressor, refit. Check the wishbone bushes while you're there.

The wishbone won't fly down, but a jack will be handy to take the strain a bit and/or help position things.

I can't think of a way to do it without removing the strut. Spring compressors are fine if used with care- just make sure they're well seated. Remove the strut complete, fit the compressor, change the top mount, remove compressor, refit. Check the wishbone bushes while you're there.

The wishbone won't fly down, but a jack will be handy to take the strain a bit and/or help position things.

Fair enough, I have the wishbones to change also both sides, my plan was to just swap them for new ones as opposed to pressing bushes in. I guess I should remove the wishbones first and make a bit of room then do the struts followed by the wishbones.

Do you reckon its worth changing anything else on that path like the tie rod, tie rod end, drop link and ball joint all original parts from 1999 :) ... Thought it would be not bother considering it will be all stripped off well some of it and then retracked.

or just do the rod end, balljoint and drop link and leave the rod end alone which just looks old and has some surface rust. If that fails not likely? its not the end of the world to change. I mainly though the rod ends they are old and shagged no doubt, and ball joint as the boot is worn-ish but not MOT failable just looks a little worse for wear. Knowing my lucky it splits after if I don't.

Just wondering if I should crack on with all that or ...? not really...

I can't think of a way to do it without removing the strut. Spring compressors are fine if used with care- just make sure they're well seated. Remove the strut complete, fit the compressor, change the top mount, remove compressor, refit. Check the wishbone bushes while you're there.

The wishbone won't fly down, but a jack will be handy to take the strain a bit and/or help position things.

Having a bit of a mare getting the strut nut off. I have realised that it is counter sunk 21mm nut, so my spanner won't get in there, ontop of that the middle is a 7mm allen key socket so I have to hold that whilst turning it.

How the heck do you get it off :) ... should have done a little more research before starting this one ... hasty chap I am.

A garage would usually just whizz it undone with an air wrench. An alternate that you might be able to jury rig is a deep socket and use stilsons on the outside of that with the allen key down the middle. You might be cheapest, quickest and safest to take the leg off and go into a local garage and ask them to change the mount for you.

A garage would usually just whizz it undone with an air wrench. An alternate that you might be able to jury rig is a deep socket and use stilsons on the outside of that with the allen key down the middle. You might be cheapest, quickest and safest to take the leg off and go into a local garage and ask them to change the mount for you.

Great idea, managed to find a 21mm spark plug socket, and a long allen key socket from a local motor factors and got it done. Top mount was split and worn and the bearing was shot. All changed and replaced.

Only managed to get one side done as the heavens opened up on me. Freezing out there today a little sun would have made my half victory that bit more sweeter.

Took about and 1hour 30 to do one side hehe including time to go and buyh the tools I did not have in my vast collection of many things not one thing I could have used.

The haynes did not mention if thes top mount nuts are one time use or did they need to be replaced, not big deal to replace them if they are ?

In reality it would be rare to replace them, unless they are really floppy or damaged of course. A new leg would come with a new nut, but that is often because they may use a different thread on the new part.

Replacing the whole wishbone is easiest if you don't have a press. As far as anything else, just if it looks/feels worn, I'd say.