E36 Top Mount Epic Fail!!
Discussion
As the E30 is having some brake issues at the moment, I'm back to using the E36.
On driving back to Colchester last weekend a banging/clunking started to manifest itself emanating from the right rear. My first thought (while on the A12) was that perhaps the boot wasn't shut properly. Pulled over at the next petrol station to check and it was fine. Nothing rattling/loose inside either. Continued the journey (albeit at a slower pace) and the banging seemed to get worse.
Had a couple of short journeys this week into town and every minor bump was a proper 'cringe' moment. Something wasn't right and I suspected the top mount on the right side might have started to have issues.
Owing to my rota this week, I've been unable to attend to the matter until this morning.
Back seats out, parcel shelf/headrests out, boot lining etc to get a look see at the issue.
This is what confronted me:
Left
Right
Not good! Not good at all! One further thing to consider, I need to drive to Stansted on Saturday morning (6am). I'm up for driving cars with most random bangs (having an E30 will build your tolerance) however this was a little too much even for me!
As such, needed a garage in Colchester that was close and could do the job quickly. This unfortunately meant the centre of town and big chains.
Chain 1
- Lots of umming and ahhing. Stated he'd need to get the car up on the ramps but certainly needed 'dealer only parts' which would need to be ordered in at extensive cost and couldn't be able to be done until next week.
Chain 2
- Guy in front was having his MOT fail/advisory list read out. 90% of the things stated were quite frankly utterly b
ks (genuine scandal). Walked straight out.
Chain 3
- Guy took a look and then called up ECP. 2x struts at £40 each. 2x rear top mounts at £15 each. Estimated cost £110-115 inc labour. Apparently could be done by this evening (unfortunately I'm working so can pick up tomorrow). Seems ideal. Perhaps too good to be true but given the Stansted drive the only option.
We will see! Watch this space.
On driving back to Colchester last weekend a banging/clunking started to manifest itself emanating from the right rear. My first thought (while on the A12) was that perhaps the boot wasn't shut properly. Pulled over at the next petrol station to check and it was fine. Nothing rattling/loose inside either. Continued the journey (albeit at a slower pace) and the banging seemed to get worse.
Had a couple of short journeys this week into town and every minor bump was a proper 'cringe' moment. Something wasn't right and I suspected the top mount on the right side might have started to have issues.
Owing to my rota this week, I've been unable to attend to the matter until this morning.
Back seats out, parcel shelf/headrests out, boot lining etc to get a look see at the issue.
This is what confronted me:
Left
Right
Not good! Not good at all! One further thing to consider, I need to drive to Stansted on Saturday morning (6am). I'm up for driving cars with most random bangs (having an E30 will build your tolerance) however this was a little too much even for me!
As such, needed a garage in Colchester that was close and could do the job quickly. This unfortunately meant the centre of town and big chains.
Chain 1
- Lots of umming and ahhing. Stated he'd need to get the car up on the ramps but certainly needed 'dealer only parts' which would need to be ordered in at extensive cost and couldn't be able to be done until next week.
Chain 2
- Guy in front was having his MOT fail/advisory list read out. 90% of the things stated were quite frankly utterly b
ks (genuine scandal). Walked straight out.Chain 3
- Guy took a look and then called up ECP. 2x struts at £40 each. 2x rear top mounts at £15 each. Estimated cost £110-115 inc labour. Apparently could be done by this evening (unfortunately I'm working so can pick up tomorrow). Seems ideal. Perhaps too good to be true but given the Stansted drive the only option.
We will see! Watch this space.
Quite common.
Z3 mounts are a bit stronger and fit.
And lemfor a usually better than Qdrive
DIY for £15
Un do the 3 bolts. The centre one holds the top mount to the damper. The other 2 the top mount to the car.
Jack the rear corner up
Take the wheel off then the wish bone should drop far enough for you to change the top mount.
Put the wheel back on
Lower the car slowly guiding the top mount into place
Bolt every thing back up
Job done!
Z3 mounts are a bit stronger and fit.
And lemfor a usually better than Qdrive
DIY for £15
Un do the 3 bolts. The centre one holds the top mount to the damper. The other 2 the top mount to the car.
Jack the rear corner up
Take the wheel off then the wish bone should drop far enough for you to change the top mount.
Put the wheel back on
Lower the car slowly guiding the top mount into place
Bolt every thing back up
Job done!
It's a stter when you are limited to garages nearby. Had to have a clutch line changed on my MX-5 when I needed it in a rush and my other car was off the road, so it went to a main dealer. Stupid price, unnecessary "vital" work which they forgot to do and plainly was fine anyway, spilt clutch fluid on paintwork , leant on headlamp covers bending them, broke phone windscreen mount, etc...
Should have done it myself! They said they'd try to get it done the same day - didn't even look at it until the following day, then ordered parts after that (after I told them what was wrong and what part no. needed ordering
tter when you are limited to garages nearby. Had to have a clutch line changed on my MX-5 when I needed it in a rush and my other car was off the road, so it went to a main dealer. Stupid price, unnecessary "vital" work which they forgot to do and plainly was fine anyway, spilt clutch fluid on paintwork , leant on headlamp covers bending them, broke phone windscreen mount, etc...Should have done it myself! They said they'd try to get it done the same day - didn't even look at it until the following day, then ordered parts after that (after I told them what was wrong and what part no. needed ordering
Salom said:
HustleRussell said:
why do you need struts?
He doesn't, just a top mount and half an hour to change it.custardkid said:
Quite common.
Z3 mounts are a bit stronger and fit.
And lemfor a usually better than Qdrive
DIY for £15
Un do the 3 bolts. The centre one holds the top mount to the damper. The other 2 the top mount to the car.
Jack the rear corner up
Take the wheel off then the wish bone should drop far enough for you to change the top mount.
Put the wheel back on
Lower the car slowly guiding the top mount into place
Bolt every thing back up
Job done!
That would have been the ideal! Having had the E36 for a while I was aware of the top mount issue and what to replace with if needed. However here in Colchester I had:Z3 mounts are a bit stronger and fit.
And lemfor a usually better than Qdrive
DIY for £15
Un do the 3 bolts. The centre one holds the top mount to the damper. The other 2 the top mount to the car.
Jack the rear corner up
Take the wheel off then the wish bone should drop far enough for you to change the top mount.
Put the wheel back on
Lower the car slowly guiding the top mount into place
Bolt every thing back up
Job done!
- No tools
- No time
- Only the BMW jack
- To take it somewhere I could reasonably get to/from on foot.
So in all honesty, I'm happy the car is roadworthy so quickly with minimal fuss/cost. They called me about 3:30pm and told me all done. Stansted/Scotland here we come.
g3org3y said:
Fixed!
Make sure there's a big washer underneath as well, I went through this a little while ago -http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=113...
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