Hi All, hope everyone is enjoying the festive season....

I opened my bonnet today and noticed something that doesn't look right - please bear in mind that I have no mechanical knowledge - I've attached a couple of pics. If you can't tell from the pics, this is my driver's side suspension thing as I believe it's technically known. The first pic is taken from the front of the car and the second next to the offside front wheel.

It's wonky! The car is parked on level ground, and the opposite one looks more like I would expect i.e. the disc is level with/parallel to the shoulder (though not in contact). Is this OK, or not, cos it looks knackered to me?

Cars only a year old with 11k so warranty is no problem, it's just the inconvenience of taking it to a dealer to look at since my local one closed.

Hi All' date=' hope everyone is enjoying the festive season....

I opened my bonnet today and noticed something that doesn't look right - please bear in mind that I have no mechanical knowledge - I've attached a couple of pics. If you can't tell from the pics, this is my driver's side suspension thing as I believe it's technically known. The first pic is taken from the front of the car and the second next to the offside front wheel.

It's wonky! The car is parked on level ground, and the opposite one looks more like I would expect i.e. the disc is level with/parallel to the shoulder (though not in contact). Is this OK, or not, cos it looks knackered to me?

Cars only a year old with 11k so warranty is no problem, it's just the inconvenience of taking it to a dealer to look at since my local one closed.[/quote']

I'm no mechanic either but I like you would be a bit worried - we need Ross.

The strut tops are a little bit higher than what they normally are. But the only reason the top cap is there is to stop the strut falling out when there is no weight on it, they should stick up a bit.

I would think that your top mounts have compressed a bit thats all, its quite common. The top mount is a rubber doughnut which is filled with a oily/silicone compound which after a time gets compressed or leaks out, so in effect you have a shorter bush so the top raises up. Its nothing to worry about as such, your strut aint gonna fall off, at worst you may get a little knocking. If I saw that on service i may well advise replacing them, if you have warranty i would do them.

Hope this helps.

Ross

Great - thanks a lot - I'll take it to the dealer soon as, in fact I have been waiting for something to go wrong so they can sort out my rattley door at the same time (not enough in itself to motivate me to take her in!!!)

I presume maybe the bonnet has bashed the higher-than-normal cap to knock it wonky - good to know it's nothing too serious/dangerous, but as you say I'll get it sorted under warranty

Would have though that its a bit wonky due to the bush not being square anymore, it would have to come up some way to touch the bonnet.

On full lock by any chance.

ross, my cars got 100k on it and mine looks like that, when i am doing my kw's is it possible for me to do these thingies at the same time?? how much are they btw?

Bengie,

I would advise you replace them yes as you will have them off anyhow. Its also quite a good idea if you replace the bearing that sits under the mount.

I'll grab some prices for you tomorrow.

cheers ross, any ideas on costs?

Hi I got the same problem, after having a garage look at it they told me it was the strut top mount

Mmmm, think it could have been fixed by now.OP was in 2004!