jonarob 0 Posted June 27, 2006 Ahoy! I'm getting a creaky trapdoor opening noise whenever I steer in either direction. I've had the car up on axle stands and it's coming from around where the springs are right up in the wheel arch. Top mount bearings? Or something else? Is it a common problem? 1.6 GTI Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
pug_ham 244 3 Cars Posted June 27, 2006 Dried out top mount bearings imo. Graham. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
maturin23 10 Posted June 27, 2006 seconded - I had the same noises and they were solved by new top mount bearings. Steering was a little easier too Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Fuqa 0 Posted June 27, 2006 agree with the above.... but also ive had several 205's with creaky droplinks too Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jonarob 0 Posted June 27, 2006 (edited) Would this explain that in really wet conditions the noise stops? How difficult a job is the top mount bearings? Could I tackle it myself with some axle stands and a tool box? Do some traders call them the strut bearing? Or is that something else? Edited June 27, 2006 by jonarob Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jackherer 543 Posted June 27, 2006 Could I tackle it myself with some axle stands and a tool box? depends if your toolbox has an offset ring spanner and some spring compressors in it... and yeah water can stop dry bearing noises temporarily. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jonarob 0 Posted June 28, 2006 (edited) Looks like a garage job then My favourite garage charged about 100 quid labour for timing belt and waterpump changeover - not sure how long this took - would top mounts be a longer/shorter or similar job? Just trying to guage what the price will be! Thanks a lot by the way guys! Edited June 28, 2006 by jonarob Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ren 0 Posted June 28, 2006 To be honest you could buy a set of spring compressors for around £20 and an offset ring spanner shouldn't be too dear either. I believe if you have standard dampers it's 21mm but probably best to check yours before buying. I have just done mine and considering i have never done anything ike that before it was suprisingly easy. GSF sell the bearing kit for £25 a side (Rubber and bearing) but I bought group n rubbers from Baker Bushes (Stew205 on here IIRC) and got Citroen Berlingo bearings only for £8 a side as these are the same. Probably gonna be cheaper than getting a garage to do it plus you get some new additions to your toolbox. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Pug_101 0 Posted June 28, 2006 To be honest you could buy a set of spring compressors for around £20 and an offset ring spanner shouldn't be too dear either. I believe if you have standard dampers it's 21mm but probably best to check yours before buying. I have just done mine and considering i have never done anything ike that before it was suprisingly easy. GSF sell the bearing kit for £25 a side (Rubber and bearing) but I bought group n rubbers from Baker Bushes (Stew205 on here IIRC) and got Citroen Berlingo bearings only for £8 a side as these are the same. Probably gonna be cheaper than getting a garage to do it plus you get some new additions to your toolbox. What part number do you have for the Citroen Berlingo bearings? Is there a Peugeot equivalent as I can get discount with with then. Cheers Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jackherer 543 Posted June 28, 2006 Looks like a garage job then no, I wasn't suggesting you take it to a garage, just that you need to buy those two relatively cheap tools Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jonarob 0 Posted June 28, 2006 no, I wasn't suggesting you take it to a garage, just that you need to buy those two relatively cheap tools What does the work involve then? I'm guessing I take the whole spring off? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DaveK 0 Posted June 28, 2006 My steering creaks aswell so ill need to do this at some point, although ill get Grp N mounts from BBM when i come round to doing it. Have you gentlemen got a part number for the bearings? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jackherer 543 Posted June 28, 2006 What does the work involve then? I'm guessing I take the whole spring off? yeah, first of all you need to take the whole strut off the car, then because the top mounts hold the spring in a compressed state onto the shock absorber you need to take the load off the top mount with the spring compressors, undo the top nut with the offset ring spanner (offset so it fits in the cup on the top mount and a ring - as opposed to a socket - so you can get an allen key through it to stop the shock absorber spindle from turning) and then you can replace the top mount and bearing and reassemble it all. its all in the haynes manual which you really should get if you dont have a copy already (can be downloaded from a variety of places including 205gti.com) Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ashley peddle 3 Posted June 28, 2006 stew205 off here does group n mounts for £11.50 delivered and the bearings are just £15 for the pair from peugeot (iv just ordered both for myself ) Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ren 0 Posted June 28, 2006 bearings are just £15 for the pair from peugeot I was told by Peugeot that it was a complete kit, which included bearings, rubbers and the metal cups top and bottom, I was quoted about £40 a side I think. The part no. for the Berlingo Bearings at GSF is N45710 at £7.25 each. The 205 part no. is T45702 at £22.50 a side (this is bearings and rubbers) As Ashley Peddle says I was charged £11.50 by BBM for the group N rubbers. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
