Full Answer
What causes a shock mount to wear out?
Potholes and speed bumps can cause many parts of the suspension, including strut mounts, to wear faster. In some cars, the top ends of the rear shock absorbers are connected to the car body through upper shock mounts. You can find this type of shock mounts in many vehicles, including Mazda, Ford and Volvo.
What are top strut mounts and upper shock mounts?
Top strut mounts and upper shock mounts: when to replace? In a car, a strut is a shock absorber that is built into an assembly with the coil spring and the top mount, called a strut mount, see the illustration. A top strut mount connects the strut to the vehicle's body or frame.
When should you replace your strut mounts?
Strut mounts are also replaced if they show excessive corrosion or if the visible rubber part looks ripped or badly worn. Rear strut mounts, for example, are often replaced because of rust damage. Is it safe to drive with a bad strut mount? This question only your mechanic can answer, because it all depends on the condition of the strut mounts.
How to remove rear shock mount?
Loosen two bolts holding the shock mount, loosen the two bolts that hold the shock. pull out the whole shock and coil etc. Then you'll need a large ring spanner and allen key to get the mount off. Remember the spring is under compression so spring clamps isnt a bad idea.
When should I replace my shock mount?
When to replace them? A simple rule of thumb is that if the struts or coil springs are being replaced because of age or wear, then also replace the mounts. A worn or damaged mount can cause a variety of symptoms so they should be inspected by a qualified technician.
How long do shock mounts last?
A correctly installed strut should last at least ten years, depending on where you live. If you're in a rural area and go off-roading often or live in a coastal area or where road salt is used in the winter, you're dooming the mounts to a shorter lifespan.
How long do rear shock mounts last?
“With heavy use, you could be looking to replace them at 40,000 or 50,000 miles or sooner. Under normal conditions, 75,000 to 90,000 miles might be reasonable.”
How long do VW shocks last?
50,000 to 100,000 milesHowever, as vehicle technology and the quality of parts have greatly improved, your factory shock absorbers can last anywhere from 50,000 to 100,000 miles.
How do I know if my strut mounts are bad?
Signs of a Bad Strut MountWeird Noises. If you hear clunking or squeaking coming from the suspension system while driving, this could mean the mount has worn out. ... Uneven Tire Wear. ... Excessive Vibration. ... Steering Issues. ... Corrosion. ... Worn Rubber. ... Excessive Movement. ... Worn Struts.More items...•
What does shock mount do?
The shock mount is built in such a way that the microphone is protected from contact using suspensions. A microphone shock mount helps to avoid ruining a good recording. Any contact with the microphone creates a low-frequency rumble, also called structure-borne noise.
How do I know if my shock absorbers are worn?
If you experience similar vibrations on smooth roads, your shocks, struts, or steering stabilizer may be worn. Unusual noises – When shocks and struts are worn out you may hear a clunking or knocking sound. This sound is caused by metal-to-metal contact when the shock or strut bottoms out when hitting a bump.
Will new shocks improve my ride?
A thorough inspection should uncover what parts, if any, actually need replacement. The springs in your vehicle's suspension do most of the shock damping. The shocks and struts improve the ride and reduce the bouncing caused by springs compressing and releasing so you don't go boing-boing down the road.
Can you drive with a broken shock mount?
Can I drive with a damaged shock absorber? Yes. Although it won't be a comfortable journey. A broken shock absorber will result in your car bouncing around, as well as excessive rolling, squatting and diving.
How do I know if I need new shocks?
One way to test the condition of the shocks and struts of your car is to push down hard on each corner of a vehicle. If the vehicle continues to bounce after you let go, your shocks need replacing.
Should I replace front and rear shocks at the same time?
Just like replacing your brakes or tires, you should replace your shocks in pairs. However, you don't need to replace the front and rear shocks at the same time. As long as you replace both fronts or both rears at the same time, you'll be fine.
When replacing shocks what else should be replaced?
Do you have to replace both shock absorbers or struts if only one is bad? It's not necessary, but it's usually recommended to replace them in pairs, for example, both front struts or both rear shocks. Rear shock absorber. This is because a new shock absorber will absorb road bumps better than the old one.
How do VW shocks go bad?
Usually when an VW Golf shock begins to go bad the seals start to seep oil. This shock oil leaks onto the bump stop eating away at the rubber foam material, affecting its density and ability to perform its job properly. If the bump stop isn't replaced, your new shocks have the chance of bottoming out, causing internal shock damage and premature failure. Replacing the stops helps protect new VW Golf shocks from bottoming out when hitting potholes and rough roads. Leaking shock oil can also get onto the dust boots. Over time this eats away at and weakens the rubber causing it to deteriorate and eventually rip. Ripped dust boots allow road grime and dirt to contaminate the shock causing scarring of the shock shaft and seals, resulting in premature shock failure. Replacing the boots protects new VW Golf shocks (shock shaft and seal) from dirt and dust, ensuring their long lifespan.
What is a shock absorber on a VW Golf?
The VW Golf shock absorbers are a substantial part of the suspension system. VW Golf shocks go beyond providing mere comfort. Shocks affect other related suspension components, along with steering, tire wear and responsiveness.
What are VW Golf shocks made of?
Nearly all Golf models that we've had in our facility for shock replacement needed new shock mounts. VW Golf shock mounts are made of a rubber material and with age, collapse and deteriorate. This is especially noticeable in the front of the car since it supports the engine and endures the brunt of road impact. Worn VW Golf shock mounts often cause a conspicuous clunking noise when going over bumps. Play at the top of the spring perch while the suspension is loaded (not un-sprung) may also be evident.
What is a BLAU shock absorber?
1) BLAU VW shock absorber kits make shock installation easier because they include the necessary related components (i.e. mounts, stops, boots) and assembly hardware that is commonly needed for successful VW shock replacement.
What is standard comfort suspension?
(1) Vehicles with 'Standard' comfort suspension have a stock or normal looking ride height and are equipped with shock absorbers that are valved to yield a standard softer ride quality.
The shocks on your car are an import component of the suspension system and along with the springs should checked at least once a year
You want to look for worn out bushings/mounts along with any damage including leaking oil. People also like to change out their shocks when performing suspension modifications on their cars. If you are interested in changing your shocks out for after market or a sportier model make sure you match up the springs to go with your new shocks.
Project Photos
Figure 1 Begin by removing the two 16mm bolts (red arrows) holding the shock to the top of the wheelwell. Note: these bolts along with the lower one are single use only and should always be replaced.
Re: signs of worn shock mounts??
also i picked up clicking when turning to extreme on my car. I find the oem ones last much bette than the aftermarkets.
Re: signs of worn shock mounts??
nick wrote: Clunking when going over a bump is a sign of worn shock mounts. Im running the Febi ones from goldwagen and havent had any issues.
What happens if a golf hose is broken?
A broken radiator hose can quickly cause a lot of damage if it runs your Golf out of coolant.
What is stage 2 on a golf cart?
Stage 2:Clunking. An engine mount that has gone bad will begin to exhibit a clunking sound. This sound will be most noticeable when putting your Golf in and out of gear, when the engine shifts, as well as when you accelerate or de-accelerate abruptly.
What happens if you run your golf out of coolant?
A broken radiator hose can quickly cause a lot of damage if it runs your Golf out of coolant. Related: Volkswagen Golf Bad Serpentine Belt. Obvious Engine Damage. If you see their engine is damaged, and that there’s some corresponding damage on the frame, that is a telltale sign that you have a bad motor mount.
How to tell if a motor mount is bad?
One of the best ways that you can tell that you have a bad motor mount is if it is drooping to one side. An engine is meant to be level. If it is tipping in any one direction, that is a very strong indication that you have a bad motor mount. Exhaust Leak.
What is an engine mount?
Engine mounts connect the engine to the frame of the Golf. They also provide vibration dampening. It is essential to the operation of the vehicle that they are working properly. If you have bad motor mounts, it’s usually pretty obvious. Table of Contents. 1.
Why does my exhaust ping?
Exhaust leaks are pretty easy to distinguish. A pinging or knocking sound coming from the exhaust is typical. This happens because there’s not a lot of free play in the exhaust, so when it’s stressed, it’ll crack or blow a gasket.
Can you see a bad motor mount on a Volkswagen Golf?
Bad Motor Mount Diagnosis: Volkswagen Golf. You can barely see the mount at all. You can inspect the motor mounts and look to see if they have any free play. If you take a look at your Golf’s engine as it goes in and out of gear, it is normal to observe some movement of the engine as it torques one way or the other.