Technical Driving Grande Punto with faulty strut mount

[AnthonyH]

People use them for spring compression

I own 2 sets of 'long bolt' compressors..

But a strap probably gets on the last coils better

Personally I would use A bolt AND a strap

I was shopping in B&M for something else an hour ago and came across some straps for £10. I don't know how much they cost online but it feels like a good deal anyway!

 

[AnthonyH]

The new strut mount came, I bought it from Amazon, they were both the seller and the shipper. But it looks pretty scrappy on the rubber side, although clean on the plastic side. Is this a reconditioned part? How scrappy can the rubber look before its deemed a used part? It looks like I can clean dirt off it which can't be a good thing. I did order a new part. It seems to turn properly and I can feel grease in there, there's no sticking.

The advert shows this picture;

What I got is this this;

The one from eurocarparts is twice the cost but the rubber doesn't look so great either.

Starline | Euro Car Parts

Starline at the lowest UK prices from Euro Car Parts UK’s No.1 for Car Accessories, Car Styling & Car Care. Buy today Online, In store or by Phone + Branches Nationwide – Next Day UK Free Delivery.

www.eurocarparts.com

 

[jackwhoo]

Dirt? Or release agent that's sprayed on mould so rubber doesn't stick to mould after forming?
Release agent often looks and feels waxy

 

[AnthonyH]

Dirt? Or release agent that's sprayed on mould so rubber doesn't stick to mould after forming?
Release agent often looks and feels waxy

It does feel like a waxy layer, so I'm guessing that's the agent to prevent mould growth! Thanks.

 

[vexorg]

I'd forget the straps and just use proper spring compressors, messing around with springs can end up with you in a&e

 

[AnthonyH]

I bought some compressors and straps to double up. The compressors are 24cm wide, I presume that is enough?

 

[mcf1lmnfs]

Perfect spring compressors. Now lets get the thing out of the car, compress it and switch this cap .

 

[Scoober82]

Hi, Good luck- it’s relatively easy to do. Iv seen a spring fly out of the compressors but that was an old set!!!

Just about to do my mounts again! Seems possibly the springs have a set way of being put back- since changing last I developed a twanging sound(spring twisting). Not sure yet whether it’s the top mount that’s failed or the spring was incorrectly positioned…. Something to do with the coloured dots green and red of I remember-maybe someone will know on here???

 

[mcf1lmnfs]

This one that you have right now shouldnt give you any troubles since it is perfectly symeteical around its axis. Should be okay to turn it as you like.

 

[mcf1lmnfs]

Only need to check how the spring sits at the bottom. And check its condition, its possible the spring breaks near the bottom and only 3cm of it flys away.. hard to spot if you dont get your eyes very close.

 

[GrandePunto PL]

It does feel like a waxy layer, so I'm guessing that's the agent to prevent mould growth! Thanks.

No! Mold (Mould) is also a metal tool (like plastic parts are "injection molded"). Not biological "mold" (fungus, mushroom).
Release agent is like pouring oil/butter on the pan (cooking), to prevent things sticking to it.

 

[Greasytrucker]

No! Mold (Mould) is also a metal tool (like plastic parts are "injection molded"). Not biological "mold" (fungus, mushroom).
Release agent is like pouring oil/butter on the pan (cooking), to prevent things sticking to it.

@AnthonyH didn’t you listen at school??? Consider yourself chastised!

 

[vexorg]

Thanks to the americans, mould and mold are interchangeable now

 

[AnthonyH]

I took off one of the wiper blades and lifted the windscreen trim to get a look at the strut mount on the chassis, but I can't see how I'd get that off without buying a ratchet that has a hole in it, is that right? I don't think an allen key and a big spanner is going to work without more force than I have.

I've lifted this picture from youtube. The tool with a hole in it looks very specialist, does anyone know what it is called?

 

[The Panda Nut]

I bought some compressors and straps to double up. The compressors are 24cm wide, I presume that is enough?

View attachment 435772

NO NO THESE ARE DANGEROUS. do not use for road springs. As an ex safety man, Ive seen the results of these. Broken nose, teeth lost broken jaw facial laceration. Please dont use them other than as a secondary extra.

 

[The Panda Nut]

The new strut mount came, I bought it from Amazon, they were both the seller and the shipper. But it looks pretty scrappy on the rubber side, although clean on the plastic side. Is this a reconditioned part? How scrappy can the rubber look before its deemed a used part? It looks like I can clean dirt off it which can't be a good thing. I did order a new part. It seems to turn properly and I can feel grease in there, there's no sticking.

The advert shows this picture;

View attachment 435756


What I got is this this;

View attachment 435757View attachment 435758


The one from eurocarparts is twice the cost but the rubber doesn't look so great either.

Starline | Euro Car Parts

Starline at the lowest UK prices from Euro Car Parts UK’s No.1 for Car Accessories, Car Styling & Car Care. Buy today Online, In store or by Phone + Branches Nationwide – Next Day UK Free Delivery.

www.eurocarparts.com

They look fine to me

 

[The Panda Nut]

If buying spring compressors check the bolt length. There are different sizes some srtervthan others.. One of mine is a bit large for tge space in the Panda. They should all now come with safety hooks. Mine lack these and can slip off. Not good hooks can vary and you want some thing that hooks over well. Do some research.

 

[The Panda Nut]

I took off one of the wiper blades and lifted the windscreen trim to get a look at the strut mount on the chassis, but I can't see how I'd get that off without buying a ratchet that has a hole in it, is that right? I don't think an allen key and a big spanner is going to work without more force than I have.

I've lifted this picture from youtube. The tool with a hole in it looks very specialist, does anyone know what it is called?

View attachment 435873

Itook a socket and ground flats into it. Using this made doing it up easier with crows foot and torque wrench. My local garage man lent me a battery impact driver to get it off. I now own one and its my most used tool.

I took off one of the wiper blades and lifted the windscreen trim to get a look at the strut mount on the chassis, but I can't see how I'd get that off without buying a ratchet that has a hole in it, is that right? I don't think an allen key and a big spanner is going to work without more force than I have.

I've lifted this picture from youtube. The tool with a hole in it looks very specialist, does anyone know what it is called?

View attachment 435873

No but tge draper expert catalogue would list the socket. Its more than one tool I think
.

 

[vexorg]

A deep swan neck would work, Or mod your own spanner with a blowtorch for a deeper neck.

 

[AnthonyH]

If buying spring compressors check the bolt length. There are different sizes some srtervthan others.. One of mine is a bit large for tge space in the Panda. They should all now come with safety hooks. Mine lack these and can slip off. Not good hooks can vary and you want some thing that hooks over well. Do some research.

I could buy a longer pair, these ones do have a safety hook, I think its the shape of the metal hangar part. But the question is how long do I need? Its kind of hard to tell.