so i noticed some knocking up front, was told its my strut mounts. i did a search here and didnt see much. just one guy that basically replaced his entire suspension while he was under there...

is it generally recommended to just replace with stock units?or to upgrade to something better? i saw somewhere that had "monoball" replacements parts, that take out the rubber element. i dont really know much about these components, and i defer to those of you that DO know better.

if it matters, im on H&R springs all around, but considering doing an H&R coilover or the like, sometimes soon. the knock up front is just really annoying since this is my DD.

any and all advice would be appreciated. are these also called camber plates...?

 

When does it knock? over bumps? when you turn? or all the time?

 

bumps generally at low speed. speed bumps suck. when i had my car at the shop down in LA when i got my w/m setup, they checked it out and said that is was my strut mounts. the triangular looking ones right?

 

Usually it is caused by worn out bearings for the front strut mounts. The upper strut mounts don't need to be replaced unless the rubber is torn or damaged. The bearing pieces are $40 a piece online. The strut mounts are $215 each online. If you have to replace the strut mounts, just replace with monoballs for only a little more. Otherwise just swap out the bearings.

 

so check to see if the rubber is torn or damaged, and if so, replace the entire mount. IF NOT, then just the bearing. i think i got it...

the knocking should just be the bearing,,,

so i know... per this picture, #13 is the bearing in question, and #14 would be the mount? is that right?

 

Bump... Is this correct? Is it obvious and easy to spot the "torn rubber" piece, and is it the bushin itself that would be torn?
Does anyone have a part number or source for just the bushing?

 

http://www.pelicanparts.com/cgi-bin/smart/more_info.cgi?pn=996-343-501-00-M100&catalog_description=Shock%20Bearing%20Plate%2 0for%20Front%20Shock%20Absorber%20%28Upper%20Plast ic%20Ring%20with%20Ball%20Bearings%29%2C%20Carrera %20%34%20%28%31%39%39%39%2D%30%35%29%20%20

Try the above and eBay.

 

And yes it should be pretty obvious that it is torn.

 

You may check your drop links and sway bar connections for excessive play as this can cause a knock sound over bumps when going slow.

How do you like the drop with the lowered springs and the handling and ride?

 

ok so i checked the parts supplier database system from the shop, this is what i came up with... ALL OEM PARTS.

Front left upper strut mount - 2per car
part # 996 343 015 04
"- notes: without bearing"

Front right upper strut mount - 2per car
part # 996 343 016 04
"- notes: without bearing"

my understanding is that i only need 1 of each mount, left and right. why would it say i need 2? are these mounts interchangeable left to right? the system automatically selects "quantity 2". so... am i missing something?

also, i came across a 997 part number. heres the part

Front upper strut mount
part # 997 343 018 00
" - notes: mounting portion to chassis"

those are the mounts that i came across. im concerned that the 997 part is not what i need, because there seems to be a decent price discrepancy, and there is no differentiating between left or right. i defer to anyone that knows better!

here is what i found for bearings

Strut bearing - front
part # 996 343 501 00
"-no notes"

so what look right? do i go with the 996 part or 997 part? any advice or info would be great.

 

any thoughts on the above part numbers? and thanx VAGscum for the help!

i looked at the mounts from above, popped the black cap to view inside. no obvious tearing of the rubber, as looked at from where the cap pops off. i tried feeling around it, didnt notice anything. is that sufficient enough of an exam, or will i only get a true answer once the suspension id off, and i pull the mounts?

 

One mount per side. One is for left, other is for right. Not sure if the 997 will work due to the PASM shocks they use. Check with the dealer and see what they say. The catalog calls out the 996 part number. Unless my catalog is out of date and the 997 superceeds the 996 part, stick with the 996 part. I would pull the shocks and inspect the mounts out of the car. Too small of a hole to see clearly.

 

Thanx again, VAG.
called the dealer because Worldpac was showing that 997 part number. turns out according to the dealer, that the 997 part number is good for RWD carreras 9960997, but not the turbos. so our catalog has it incorrect for turbos. we showed the correct part number for the front mounts as compared with the dealer though

 

Dang...$215 each for the upper strut mounts? That's almost half way to a set of cheap coilovers with mounts. I would agree with VAGscum to upgrade to monoballs at his point.

My right front shock is making noise as well (clop clop noise when I go over the lane divider bumps). I am hoping it is just the bearing.

 

Have you checked you drop links?