Front strut bearing replacement

[frog]

Hi,

Small question: one of the front strut bearings has seized. To save a few bucks, is it possible to replace just the bearing itself? Or is it better to simply replace the whole set?

[D9406]

I replaced mine a couple of years ago, bought the bearing of eBay. IIRC it comes as 3 pieces and is a direct replacement for the old one. When I removed the old one it fell apart, it was rusty and seized.
Easy enough to do, remove strut from car, compress the spring and replace. Do both sides, i managed to do mine without removing nearside drive shaft but others remove it.
Good luck
Andy

[frog]

IIRC it comes as 3 pieces and is a direct replacement for the old one.

Thanks Andy, looks like you replaced the complete set. Costs a bit more but it seems the most easy option.

Easy enough to do,

I hope so This guy did it in 17 minutes! I think it will take me half a day, taking into account my clumsiness

[D9406]

I didn't have the luxury of a lift when I did mine, just a jack.
If you compress the spring with the strut still in place it comes out easily enough. Id do the drivers side first, no need to remove drive shaft and you'll get an idea of how to do it.
Think i payed around a tenner for a bearing of eBay, you'll need 2, make sure you brush off any rust on the part where the bearing sits. Garage quoted me £400 to do job, working slowly i did both sides in around 4 hours or so.
Good luck
Andy

[frog]

If you compress the spring with the strut still in place it comes out easily enough. Id do the drivers side first, no need to remove drive shaft and you'll get an idea of how to do it.

Good luck
Andy

Thanks! You've answered my next question So it will come out without having to remove the drive shaft. Also no need to remove it on the passenger side, I assume?

[Doggy]

If it helps, I did both of mine without removing either driveshaft.

[frog]

If it helps, I did both of mine without removing either driveshaft.

Perfect!

[sergeantcortez]

I've started this on both sides. Both struts are off (and my word the springs are large)... The metal cup that the top of the spring sits into is well past its best. Are new ones available? Ive dug about Autodoc and similar to no avail...

For clarity the part that sits between the spring and the bearing, I have lovely new shiny rubbers, bearings and top plates waiting to go on.

[frog]

The metal cup that the top of the spring sits into is well past its best. Are new ones available?

You mean the Front suspension rest cups (parts 5031 47 and/or 5031 42 as shown here)? Mine were also not in their best shape, but good enough, so I put them back on.

Seems difficult to source new, I guess you may have to look around for a breakers part.

[steve_earwig]

I'm seeing $50 and 80€ for aftermarket ones (did the gold plating wear off of yours? ) No idea if Pug still sells them but they're probably stupidly expensive, judging by aftermarket prices.

[sergeantcortez]

My word, thank you for the fantastic quick and helpful reply!

Thats the ones... No sign of them anywhere. Ive settled for cleaning and painting mine until I get time to do a full strip and refresh of damoers, bushes etc. Thank you!

[sergeantcortez]

Just an update on this - all new bits fitted, the car now sits flat and drives even better. Not bad for a morning's work (and a quick trip to the garage to get the springs compressed and fitted... My word they're enormous).

[Doggy]

Well done.
I did it the hard way with a borrowed set of spring compressors, but I think 2 of us did it in 3-4 hours, including a drop link change.

[sergeantcortez]

I'm constantly staggered by how well designed everything is, having had various VAG cars in the family. Proper nuts and bolts and all sensibly fitted.