Technical One top mount replaced, now handling feels off

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Technical One top mount replaced, now handling feels off

kpm

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Hi, my 100hp failed MOT on one top mount. I let the garage do the work and the car now feels much more solid when going over bumps, but sometimes the car tracks true and sometimes it tracks straight, also it can be quite wallowy in a straight line requiring constant minor corrections and the feeling of weight shift.

Would the top mount have affected the tracking to the point that I need to get it done again, should the garage have recommended both top mounts be done at the same time?

Thanks, Kristian
 
Hi Kristian.I would guess your car has done a few miles,so it always makes sense to replace both top mounts, I would not countenance doing just one side.
 
1 but sometimes the car tracks true and sometimes it tracks straight


2 also it can be quite wallowy in a straight line requiring constant minor corrections and the feeling of weight shift.


Thanks, Kristian

Don't understand what you are saying in 1

2 no it shouldn't fell wallowy after only one side changed. Needs to go back to the garage

Don't know about the 100hp but the 1.1 and 1.2 shouldn't need the tracking doing after work on the strut.

Bump steer sounds like something is wrong or loose.
 
Aye, it makes sense to change the likes of this in pairs, not set in stone mind, but most get into the habit. The thinking being that the other component on the other side will be on the way out sooner than later. Regarding tracking, after any suspension work, it's always wise to get the tracking checked. This is usual practise.
 
Definitely get the tracking done - properly.

Pandas are very sensitive to correct front alignment and it is easily thrown out of true by, say, a bumped kerb.

It's simple to do it right, and will reward you with 'hands off' straight line steering, plus better economy and longer tyre life.
 
Hi Kristian.I would guess your car has done a few miles,so it always makes sense to replace both top mounts, I would not countenance doing just one side.

it's on 62000 miles, so a few but much below average
 
Don't understand what you are saying in 1

2 no it shouldn't fell wallowy after only one side changed. Needs to go back to the garage

Don't know about the 100hp but the 1.1 and 1.2 shouldn't need the tracking doing after work on the strut.

Bump steer sounds like something is wrong or loose.

Hi, # 1 - sometimes it drives in a straight line with hands off, sometimes it pulls to the right

thinking a trip back to the garage
 
Definitely get the tracking done - properly.

Pandas are very sensitive to correct front alignment and it is easily thrown out of true by, say, a bumped kerb.

It's simple to do it right, and will reward you with 'hands off' straight line steering, plus better economy and longer tyre life.

i did have the tracking done a couple of weeks ago (three times in the past two months actually to a point that i was happy with it) and it would drive "hands off" straight all the time. obviously have since had the top mount done but i do wonder how this would affect the tracking - if the tracking was at fault i would expect it to pull equally to the left as well as the right, and not just straight or right or the time.
 
Aye, it makes sense to change the likes of this in pairs, not set in stone mind, but most get into the habit. The thinking being that the other component on the other side will be on the way out sooner than later. Regarding tracking, after any suspension work, it's always wise to get the tracking checked. This is usual practise.

i was hoping that changing in pairs would have been obvious to the garage so i could use a certain tact if they were to now recommend getting the other side done. £140 (for the one side) is stomachable to get through an mot with minimum fuss but if i was looking at £280 i would have said no and tackled it myself :/
 
Never cheap running any car. The thing is even on relatively easy jobs, especially so on suspension, doing the job yourself even with the right tools, the dreaded rust is your main enemy.
 
Yes it's always a good idea to change suspension and brakes in pairs.

However changing one side should not make the suspension woolly or worse.

I just done a strut on mine. Got the part from the beakers.

Woolly steering could be deflated tyre or loose wheel. Worth checking

It's only 4 bolts. Two to clamp the hub. One for the cup on top and one on the drop link.


It really is a 10 minute job and only a few minutes more to swap the mount over.
 
Hi,KPM. Having read your further posts, I notice that you had the tracking done 3 times in 2 months before you had the top mounts done. Was the problem you now have after changing the mount there before.
Why did you have the tracking done?
 
IIRC it's possible to fit the top mounts the wrong way round. If this has happened, it would explain everything.

And yes, ideally they should be changed as a pair.
 
IIRC it's possible to fit the top mounts the wrong way round. If this has happened, it would explain everything.

And yes, ideally they should be changed as a pair.

This, also check if the bottom of the spring is seated properly.
 
Absolutely yes. You should for a start always do things in pairs, as I am sure you know really. When I bought my 100 HP I found it had a really appalling pull to the left that rapidly got worse. I took it to STS Tyre Pros who seem to have the best equipment for suspension and tracking checks that can be found. The thing was out of adjustment and they sorted it for about £45 after which it ran straight and true and had totally even tyre wear. I cannot recommend them enough. I think the cars are sensitive to any misalignment and you are likely to have introduced some by doing only one side. Good luck.
 
I'd be checking the track rod ends and also the track control arms for play then get it tracked. I've changed one strut top bearing when I owned bumble with no side affects.
 
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