Front Shock/Strut assembly,

[amazak 3]

Hello Guy's

Can anyone point out why the these two diagrams are different, basically on the early models the strut bearing goes in before the nut and the later model the opposite way. I have included two diagrams found on a post of the forum made by Jimjon. I would like to know the reason for this as I have been told that the strut bearing should be installed as per diagram one??? and that is possibly why I am getting a strange noise from my suspension after lowering. Thanks Guys!!

EDIT: I have a 1997 Vr Highline. Thanks

Early Models.....

Late Models....

[ip 0]

These diagrams seem to be using odd terms for the items they depict. The strut bearing they refer to would normally be called the top mount (in my experience). The ball bearing listed in the second picture would then be referred to as the strut bearing (again in my experience).

In the first diagram, the topmount and strut bearing (ball bearing) are pictured as a single item (maybe they are sold as a single bonded item? I don't know) called the strut bearing. Critically, the nut goes on after this as it clamps the ball bearing assembly to the top of the spring plate.

In the second diagram, the top mount and strut earing (ball bearing) are pictured separately. Critically again though, the ball bearing goes on before the nut so that it is clamped against the spring plate. The rubber top mount goes on after that. In practice though, I have found that the rubber top mount can go on before or after the nut (it actually doesn't matter). Either way works perfectly well since the load of the car tends to push the nut through the top mount once it is installed. I have replaced the struts on a few golfs now (well, three) and have always found that the top mount sits below the nut on the original struts. If you have a look at one once removed, it is fairly obvious why. The nut includes a lip at the bottom which sits above an equivalent lip on the top mount to hold it in place on the top of the strut. This makes for easier assembly.

Most importantly though! The first diagram refers to the suspension setup used on on the non vr6 golfs (basically anything up to the 8v GTI I believe). The VR6 always used a set up that looks like the one in picture 2. The rubber top mount shown in picture one was not capable of supporting the VR6s weight and so was never used on our cars.

I'm 99% sure of what I have said here because I had a long chat with a VW mechanic about it all before installing my own shocks (and those on a couple of other cars).

Hope that helps,

ip

[amazak 3]

Thanks ip, vey helpfull, will give it a go this weekend. Already bought new top mounts and I can see your point about how the nut holds the top mount into place, finger crossed this solves my woes!

[amazak 3]

..... double post. sorry.

[amazak 3]

Thanks ip, vey helpfull, will give it a go this weekend. Already bought new top mounts and I can see your point about how the nut holds the top mount into place, finger crossed this solves my woes!