04 auy front strut mounting question

**ad777** · 13-10-2024,09:53 AM

So have had a scraping noise coming from front..thought it was rubbing back plate. Turned out not, and now have a lot of squeaking noise as well. We are pretty sure it's the top strut mounting, ordered one but arrived without a bearing. Can someone please confirm that this model should have a bearing along with rubber top mount! Before we start dismantling. Appreciated as always 😃

**Crasher** · 13-10-2024,04:03 PM

What is the VIN? With the 7M there is a nasty design flaw where water fills the plenum chamber located top mount cups. This seeps down into the bearing and causes it to rot and also rots the nut and damper top thread. I have been in situations where even days of maintenance spray soaking won’t even allow me to use my Laser tools top mount nut kit and I have had to go in there with the oxy cutter and burn the nut away so the strut drops out and it is a nasty confined space job.

**ad777** · 13-10-2024,04:15 PM

Oooh...hope not... vin is
VSSZZZ7MZ4V515766
If you can point me in right direction be appreciated as ever Steve.

**Crasher** · 13-10-2024,04:31 PM

It is too old for the VIN to work so I had to do it manually. This uses the same top bearing as a Golf 3 (5 stud) and all Golf 4’s, so if you have the rubber ring, 7M0 412 331, specific to the Sharalmbaxy, it is part number 1J0 412 249 and even genuine it is only £14.16 all in. We stock the Febi 01111 which you can get for around £6.

**ad777** · 13-10-2024,04:39 PM

Perfect. Thanks Steve, a huge help as always. Fingers crossed comes off without burning! Appreciated as ever 😃

**ad777** · 20-10-2024,09:36 AM

It was full of water right enough. We managed to get it off with a lot of heating! Bearing was knackered. All good now, thanks again!

**Crasher** · 20-10-2024,12:14 PM

You can buy caps but we just fill the recess with general purpose grease.

**ad777** · 20-10-2024,12:36 PM

We filled with grease. She's old and I don't imagine be in there again though! Cheers 🙂

**ad777** · 04-11-2024,09:12 AM

Famous last words...the shock is knackered. Am just going to get a complete strut. Is a sharan strut the same? Or there is one off a seat alhambra, which is left hand drive? Advice appreciated as always.