Topmounts - buying and replacing

[wasted]

Ok, in looking over the car today I've found that the topmounts on the front are showing signs of being knackered. The driver's side one has no spacer in around the bolt, meaning that it can't be done up tight (because otherwise the plate turns with the nut) but has no play; the passenger side one has play, but has the spacer.

Looking on GSF, it seems that part 45725K (top mounting kit) is what I need - any confirmation on this?

Also, if I put the car through the MOT today as it stands, is it likely to fail on topmounts? For the moment, I've shimmed the passenger side one so the play is taken up, so rocking the wheels results in no play being detected on either side.

Final question is - when replacing, will I have to drop the whole strut out on both sides? Having looked at the manual it certainly looks that way, but I'm limited on time!

Cheers :)

[stu.gtx]

That looks like the part and yeah you'll need to drop the strut to replace them (you'll need spring compressors to get the spring off). It's not a bad job to do as long as everything comes apart ok but you'll probably mess the camber up when you put the strut back in so try and remember roughly how it was set before you take it off.

As for whether or not it'll pass the MOT depends on the tester/how much play there is.

I got Febi top mounts off ebay. If I was to do it again I might even go to a dealer (for the parts) cos they take a hammering with lowered/uprated suspension.

[wasted]

Ok, thanks for the advice! I think I'll go for the MOT as it stands and keep my fingers crossed - has to be done today anyway, so might as well find out what's wrong :)

[Tim_R]

Think the top mounts from VW were about £50 -£60 when i got mine a few months ago. I got fed up of replacing the rubbish ones I got from GSF. If you ask for their best quality ones you may be ok.

Good luck with the MOT dude.

[D-reame]

Are genuine original equipment mounts not made by Febi? I ask this because during my ownership of a BMW, I found there genuine parts are Febi/Bilstein. I could get the same parts from Andrew Pages for about 60% less. Same part number as well.

Just because it is a dealer part does not always mean its a better part. Its worth checking. I will post back on this as I am about to change all for shocks and top mounts.

[wasted]

After the car passed the test, I did a bit of research on this... Bilstein do indeed make topmounts for the Rocco, and I've since purchased a couple for the princely sum of £24.00 each including VAT. Not bad, and they look better than the GSF equivalents (better bonding, seems like higher quality rubber). Unfortunately I didn't note the name of the shop down, but I'll look this up and come back to you...