Top mount replacement:Sharan

[Albie]

Just came across an old thread concerning top mount replacement. I have the same issue. I believe it's rain water accumulating in the cups. Anyone know if the whole strut needs replacing? My local garage has told me it's a job they wouldn't do! Any recommendations in the North West where this job could be done? An idea of price would also be helpful! Many thanks!

[Solentview]

I have just had both top mounts replaced on our 09 Alhambra by a local garage in Lee on Solent. It is not a job that I could have done on our driveway. Providing the top spigot of the strut has not corroded to extent that it will not accept an Allen key whilst the nut is removed, the strut might be reusable (mine were). The real problems are access to the fixing nut inside the cup under the scuttle and removal of the windscreen wiper mechanism. 

The garage that did the work removed the entire strut with the hub still attached, thereby avoiding having to undo the pinch bolt that clamps the hub to the bottom of the strut - there are a couple of posts somewhere on this site describing how the pinch bolt corrodes into the hub clamp and shears off when removal is attempted. I will look out the paperwork and post a bit more as and when.       

[Albie]

Thanks for the feedback! I still haven't found a garage that will take the job on. As you point out it's limited access under the scuttle. How many people even look there? I was investigating a water leak when I came across the issue.

[Solentview]

Just checked the paperwork - labour was £450.00 plus/minus a few pounds. I have taken the precaution of filling the top cups with grease and I kick myself for not identifying a cap to fit over the top of the cup. Apparently there is a round Golf headlight blanking cap that fits the cup, but I have not yet identified the AEM part number, so I am making do with a circular piece of plastic sticking down on the grease. 

Good luck with your search - if you have some space, is it worth looking at mobile mechanics? 

[Albie]

Many thanks for the feed-back! That gives me a ball-park figure to work with. Good tip also about the grease, and Golf cap. My damage I believe was water accumulation in that area. I've cleaned out both drainage holes with compressed air and a lot of debris came out. Thanks also for mobile mechanic tip. I'm repairing corrosion on the inner wing mount at the moment, another result I believe of water ingress in that box section. Hope soon to find someone to sort out the top mounts ! Thanks again!

[Solentview]

When you mention the inner wing mount box section, are you referring to the voids directly behind the bonnet hinges, left and right, under the scuttle? Whenever I wash the Alhambra, henry Hoover accompanies me and I stick his nozzle into the void and he sucks out the rubbish. There are some horror stories in various posts in this forum about rubbish filling those voids, blocking the drain holes, which then causes flooding into the interior. On reflection, I might pay a bit more attention to that area, make sure that the voids are absolutely clean and clear and then give them a light dose of Rustbuster's clear wax.       

[Ex passatman]

I had mine done last year I  put a post up showing how bad they were.Mine were really rusted and knackered but thankfully all was fine  fine underneath.Also the struts were ok and re used.My local guy did it at his place as he had all the necessary tools there took less than an afternoon as I recall and he replaced the pads too.I can't remember the exact price but think was around £300 or so.

[Albie]

I was referring to the long box sections that run parallel to the wing. I only discovered corrosion here when I removed the wheel arch linings.I've blown compressed air through to the drain holes. I also discovered that the rubber seal along the scuttle had not been replaced properly (at some point by a garage) the flap not having been pulled up over the scuttle thus providing a seal. Consequently water had been entering the engine bay. The corrosion on the strut mounts is puzzling, as they are raised away from any pooling water.Good idea to hoover and keep clear this area as rubbish leaves can accumulate. I blew a lot out with the compressed air.
Thanks for price info. £300 sounds very reasonable. I'm expecting £500+, I hope struts will be reusable although corrosion around top nut looks severe.