MOT failure due to excessive play in MacPherson mount. New mounts fitted but still play! Help!

[mjmaster10]

Hi guys

My Mk2 scirocco failed its MOT due to excess play in one of the MacPherson strut mounts at the front. I have had them both changed, and whilst there is no vertical play, the garage have told me that there is still sideways play. The parts were new, and identical to the original parts, including the spacer.

I should clarify that the movement is when the mount is not under the car's weight. This may be entirely normal.

Can anyone help with telling me whether this is normal, or if not what the solution might be, as the garage have now drawn a blank.

Cheers

Mark

[GTXTRA]

Trusted garage?

Second opinion at more of a specialist?

[mjmaster10]

A video of the problem can be viewed here:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1R--s2O ... sp=sharing

[chopperoli]

Shorten the spacer slightly

[chopperoli]

Also check the washer is present on the rod, just under the spring cap (I don't mean the one under the main nut although you need that one too)

[mjmaster10]

Shorten the spacer slightly

Shorten by filing it down slightly?

[mark1gls]

Yes I always get problems fitting new spacers sleeves, I now just use the old one. They are meant to be crushed slightly when doing up the nut but I've never managed to squash one yet.
I do what is suggested and file down the metal sleeve so it's only just proud and pack the thing with grease so stop the knocking, sometimes there's a little resistance when turning the top mount by hand but when on the car it's fine.

You will need the spring compresses again

Is there the washer underneath your nut, it's hard to see in the video?

[mjmaster10]

Yes I always get problems fitting new spacers sleeves, I now just use the old one. They are meant to be crushed slightly when doing up the nut but I've never managed to squash one yet.
I do what is suggested and file down the metal sleeve so it's only just proud and pack the thing with grease so stop the knocking, sometimes there's a little resistance when turning the top mount by hand but when on the car it's fine.

You will need the spring compresses again

Is there the washer underneath your nut, it's hard to see in the video?

Many thanks for the advice. The car is still at the garage - I am told that the washer was there below the nut as per the diagram in Bentley

[chopperoli]

Btw if you take too much off you will damage the bearing

[james butler]

might sound daft but what if you put a fibre washer beteen the top washer and crush tube?
the fibre will crush easier and take up the play

[mjmaster10]

So it looks as if there was nothing wrong with the strutt mounts... the new ones have exactly the same play as the old ones, which when the weight is on the car completely disappears.

I would not recommend an MOT from Halfords!

Thanks for all the help.

[essextom]

i think if you had mentioned it was a halfords mot station we could have pinpointed the issue very quickly!

[mjmaster10]

i think if you had mentioned it was a halfords mot station we could have pinpointed the issue very quickly!

I know..... £500 later......

[essextom]

£500!

[chopperoli]

Err what? Because they forced you to change parts that weren't faulty? I'd be following that up mate...