Technical Driving Grande Punto with faulty strut mount

[AnthonyH]

Most here that do DIY on cars would change the struts in hald a day at the side of the road.
A garage will have all the tools and car lifts that make it even easier, and probably some spare parts like nuts and so on. Experience tells them what they'll need along the way too. A proper garage should get both struts swapped in a few hours.

I've decided to learn how to fix cars only in the last few months, so gaining experience is slow and I'm breaking things as I go. Oh well, the struts are definitely easier than the drum brakes.

 

[Greasytrucker]

I've decided to learn how to fix cars only in the last few months, so gaining experience is slow and I'm breaking things as I go. Oh well, the struts are definitely easier than the drum brakes.

We’ve all got to start somewhere, and we all break things whilst we’re learning. The main thing is you do learn and don’t repeat the mistake! I always find it’s worse working on a car that you rely on, not so bad if you have a backup sitting there. You’ll get there, and before too long you’ll be able to help a novice out on here who’s trying to save themselves a few quid! You can’t leave the forum anyway, you’re far too entertaining!

 

[AnthonyH]

We’ve all got to start somewhere, and we all break things whilst we’re learning. The main thing is you do learn and don’t repeat the mistake! I always find it’s worse working on a car that you rely on, not so bad if you have a backup sitting there. You’ll get there, and before too long you’ll be able to help a novice out on here who’s trying to save themselves a few quid! You can’t leave the forum anyway, you’re far too entertaining!

You're right about not working on a relied upon car, I started down the fix car path a few years ago, but as we only had one car, I had to get it running again the same day, and was worried about breaking things - which of course I did. I remember breaking out in those cold sweats only too well lol

I've now specialised in Puntos, we have 3 old ones, so this one has been sat doing not much for months now, and that pressure to get it fixed has gone.

The shock absorber I bought was the very cheapest you can find on ebay, I suppose I know when I'm doing that it requires more labour. I've had to spend ages finding the exact right nut, an m12 with a 1mm thread pitch, they're very non standard in true ebay fashion and I'm going to be waiting days for the nut to arrive! Oh well tomorrow I'll try to preserve my fingers from the angle grinder lol

 

[AnthonyH]

I think i've switched the spring over successfully. I've taken some pics and a video so you can see if it is alright. I'm not sure how stiff the mount should be, but it feels quite firm.

The old shock had completly failed, I don't know if that happened while I was getting it off, but more likely it is the original one from when the car was new. This means the other shock has probably also failed. Is there a good way of testing a shock without driving the car?

 

[AnthonyH]

The missing nut came late last night and it took me about an hour this morning to put it all back together again. There were no problems for a change!

I took it for a test drive and the pinging had gone and it all felt fine.

The drain plug next to the strut mount was blocked, so the mount and the shock were taking a bath every time it rained. I've cleared the plug and checked the one on the other side.

I'm still undecided about doing the other front shock. As the plug next to it was clear the shock may be OK. So I'll drive it some more and decide later.

This thread is a wrap. Thanks to everyone who helped!

 

[Greasytrucker]

And to think it started as a top strut mount……105 posts later!!! Glad it’s back on the road

 

[AnthonyH]

Thanks for your help!

I've gone for a short staycation. Obviously didn't take this car lol

 

[Scoober82]

Have you done yours, if so how did it go?

Reading the Haynes manual just now, it says springs have coloured dots on them, these dots give an indication of the length of the spring under compression. New springs might have have two green dots, one on each spring (or red dots if they are different length). If the dots are on the mounts then I'm not sure of the purpose, they've probably been added by a mechanic for an unknown purpose, because my new mount turns 360 degrees. The spring itself has a slot on the strut into which it should fit, mine wasn't in that slot.

Sorry for late reply! Iv done the left hand side yesterday- the spring looked so strange as of it was offset but after sitting the cars weight on it it straightens out…. The spring is seated correctly and a new top mount- feels much stiffer now and no spring twanging noises. Passed the mot yesterday so pleased I did it.

 

[AnthonyH]

Sorry for late reply! Iv done the left hand side yesterday- the spring looked so strange as of it was offset but after sitting the cars weight on it it straightens out….

I noticed that too, I was a little unverved until it was back on 4 wheels and could see it looked OK.

The spring is seated correctly and a new top mount- feels much stiffer now and no spring twanging noises. Passed the mot yesterday so pleased I did it.

Result. Its nice to save a few quid.