Technical Suspect Cinq Strut Top Mount

[Cinqster355]

I have read all the sticky's and think I have narrowed it down.

Symptom - When accelerating medium to hard in 1st & 2nd I get a slight wandering feeling and grinding/funny noise from the front left suspension/gearbox area. Now I have changed the rear gearbox mount, the lower suspension arm with ball joint as well & the shock looks good. The tracking was also just done at christmas.

I'm thinking strut top mount. I thought it was the gearbox diff bearing but after a major judder under snowing/slippery conditions I thought there is no way the suspension should clunk/judder like this.

Any thoughts?

If it is the top mount should I replace both sides or will it be ok with just the left one only? Where do people recommend and prices I can expect.

Thank you.

 

[randomizered]

£20 at a dealer...shop4parts may be an option as well or your local factors. There is some suspension company JK KJ RJ some combination like that, that sell uprated ones for £40.

So £20-£40, plus you'll need new nylock nuts but htey are not expensive.


The job will be an hour or two plus you will need spring compressors along with the normal tools and optionally a torque wrench if you want to do a proper job.

Check the arm bushes and ARM before you start. If they are shot, may as well do it all at the same time

There is a good guide for this very job though! Check it out

Kristian

 

[fingers99]

I'd also look hard at the n/s gearbox mount and the track rod ends.

If you can find a sensible way of levering on the fronr wheel, up and down so to speak, you should be able to tell if the top mount is knackered.

 

[Cinqster355]

Ok I have the spring compressors and torque wrench no problems. The suspension arm is already new. I will lever the wheel first and check the components you mentioned before I buy any parts.

Cheers guys. Will update once done.

 

[Cinqster355]

I'd also look hard at the n/s gearbox mount and the track rod ends.

If you can find a sensible way of levering on the fronr wheel, up and down so to speak, you should be able to tell if the top mount is knackered.

Fingers, I have had a good look at the n/s engine mount and I am not sure if it is faulty or not. The Fiat dealer I called today say these never fail!

I looked over it in the cold snow! and there seems to be a little play looking from the top. If you look from underneath you can see a small gap between the rubber and the top metal bit. Ideally I need to post you a picture so will try this Saturday morning.

Driving to and from work today I was playing wheel spinning and on many occasions the hammering from the front left was bad. I think it is either the top strut mount or n/s mounting. Not 100% sure.

Comments?

 

[fingers99]

It is a really tricky one.

The only time I've ever experienced the wander you talk of was when the guy who'd changed the bottom wishbones on my Fulvia didn't fully tighten up the TRAs so as to make lfe easier for the bloke who would do the tracking in a couple of days time. The tiny amount of play resulted in what felt like a frightening amount of wander.

When Orange went out of pizza delivery vehicle/run it on any old part worns mode and I fitted decent tyres the judder I experienced from the front end just went, only to be found again when the local builders deposited a fair bit of sand and gravel on the road. I think it was momentary torque steel induced by a very temporary lack of grip.

But try the lever test (better weather forecast for Sunday!) and see how you get on.

 

[Cinqster355]

Right then. First I think my explanation of the wandering is a red herring. What I am trying to say is when I go over speed humps etc the car thuds on the N/S and when accelerating hard in 1st and 2nd there is a strange feeling & sound the car near side is grinding.

The new bits are: lower balljoints and suspension arm, tracking done, new tyres, new rear gearbox mount.

I have attached 2 pictures to show the above and below n/s engine mount. I think this is dodgy but the Fiat dealer says they never fail.

Please note in the picture from below the large gap between the rubber and metal plate. I do not know if this is ok or not hence the post. I also note the rubber looks cracked.

I also suspect the top mounts but the snow is stopping me from safely checking this out.

Suggestions?

 

[Cinqster355]

Re: Update

Guys

I have now had a good luck around the car to identify the problem. The top mounts all look good, the levering of all joints has shown that apart from the near side engine mount all is perfect.

Coming back to the n/s engine mount. I have posted a picture for info and looking at the Haynes manual to try and compare my mount to a good one. Its is difficult to see the Haynes one. Has anyone got a picture of the mount they could post here so I can compare a good one to mine?

This would help as I dont want to buy one until I am sure this is going to cure it.

Fiat has quoted £40 for the mount. I could do the scrap yard thing but I usually find this to be a bad idea on these type of items.

Your help is appreciated.

 

[randomizered]

What engine is that mount for, the 899cc?

Kristian

 

[Cinqster355]

What engine is that mount for, the 899cc?

Kristian

1108 Sporting.

 

[randomizered]

Fair enough, I did go out and look at mine in my sei but it looks different and not easy too see, hence why i thought it was an 899'er.

I may pop out again in a bit and take another look.

Kristian

 

[custard]

i love the fiat dealer saying those never fail.how did i need ot change one then?
its not a hard job

 

[Cinqster355]

If you would. The bit I am interested in is easily viewable from the top. I have added the bit I am interested in.

Also when I pull the manifold up and down to check the play there is visible movement sideways of the mount. Not excessive but I think this is now good?

 

[Cinqster355]

i love the fiat dealer saying those never fail.how did i need ot change one then?
its not a hard job

I know! It looks a very easy job to do but its the cost side. Dont want to change if mine is servicable.

I think if I need to replace the part I will have to buy genuine as the motor factors, shop 4 parts etc do not list them...

 

[fingers99]

I'd guess that the price Fiat have given you is for the whole mount rather than just the rubber bit.

Kristian -- the Sei ones are completely different (at least, the 1100 ones).

 

[randomizered]

Yeah I had another look and guessed as much, sorry i can't be of more help

Kristian

 

[Cinqster355]

Ok then thanks guys for your input. I guess due to the lack of forum response this is not something many have had to deal with.

I am going to go to the dealer Monday and look at his parts info to make sure he orders the correct item and does not give me half the car!

Will update then unless anyone else can help.

Thanks.

 

[woj]

The Fiat dealer I called today say these never fail!

Bullc**p! Mine separated into two parts, the rubber was simply old, dried out, and it split into two. When you look carefully at the pics you posted you can see there are small cracks in the rubber, so if I were you I would simply change it, and for a brand new one too, not a scrapy one.

Another comment - when you replace one mount it's usually the other ones that give up right away, so it may as well be that this one gave up after you replaced the rear one...

Cheers,

Woj

 

[Cinqster355]

Ordered the new mount. Will update once fitted. Fiat tell me Wednesday. Will fit Wednesday night.

 

[rallycinq]

The tracking was also just done at christmas.

.

Was the tracking done properly, or is the akerman angle out?

Cheers

D