Technical Few DIY questions

[e1team]

Well it seems changing control arms did not solve all the thumping on bumps problems I am pretty confident that it's not the strut mounts since my car is 2013 and it seems they improved the design somewhat, besides I don't have all the associated problems like wobbly steering or vibrations. So it seems I have sway bar, or ARB bushes worn out.
So, has anyone tried replacing these him/herself? From what I've seen there's little to no access to the brackets holding the bushings in place and it looks like you need to drop the whole crossrail, suspension and all. I sure hope there is another way! So anyone did this before?
Also my AC compressor started whining lately on 2.5-3 krpm. It cools fine but is noisy! I thinks it may be the pulley bearing. So the question is: in order to replace/inspect the bearing i need to remove the timing belt, how is it done? I know there's a tensioner pulley somewhere but theres (as always with this car) very little access space. So any tips? Or should i leave this to a workshop?

Thanks! And have a nice weekend!

 

[2668GRIFFIN]

Hi
Have you looked at the anti roll bar links?
These are really acceptable and easy and cheap to replace
LUIGI

 

[2668GRIFFIN]

With the strut top mount bearings you Don't get the problems you mentiond
The top mounts bearing symptoms are creaking and banging due to the the spring getting wound up and flicking back
When stationary move steering lock to lock any noise heard these bearings will be suspect
LUIGI

 

[e1team]

I checked sway bar links as you suggested: only right one has tiny play (may be 1 mm back and forth) I don't think this is the cause. Also I tested steering as you suggested: stationary, engine on (obviously) - no suspicious noises detected: only rustling of gravel/road debris, and, obviously, steering pump whine as I reach lock position. Any other tests I can perform? Also: bushings seem like an easy enough job (assuming I'll be able to reach them ) and cheap for me to do, while struts may cost a small fortune.

 

[Qube O]

I'd check the top bearings, even though you say the motor is only 2013, my neighbor has a 2016, and his bearings failed........and certainly mine thumped and made a horrible noise on speed humps/pot holes. It all depends on just how far they have gone as to what symptoms you may get. Cheers Qube O.

 

[e1team]

Update: I have finally received the two end links and two bushes I ordered few months ago an yesterday had replaced the old ones. Yay! No clunking, knocking or squeaking! I suspect the old end links were the actual culprit since, while mounted they felt firm, but when I removed them, the joints were pretty loose as compared to the new ones. The bushes I guess could have lasted some time more but I decided to replace them anyway since I already were there. Besides they were all deformed and pretty dry. Now here where I encountered trouble: the access there, as I imagined, was awful, especially the inner bolts that held the bush brackets. Piece of advice: when changing the bushings unscrew the front bolt completely but leave the inner bolt. Unscrew it all the way to the top but leave it hanging there. You WILL NOT BE ABLE to put it back!