Front strut top mounts.

[SGP]

Hi. Two things;
(1) just wondering if the front top mounts should be changed on my 320i there seems to be a slight rattle coming from that area particularly on the right side,esp on bumpy concrete roads.
(2) There is also a raspy sound through the steering column which coincides with a noise from the right wheel.I was sure it was a wheel bearing and fitted a new one last week,no change. It's not very loud most people wouldn't notice it.I've never had the top mounts changed.With the car jacked up there is no noise from the wheel when I spin it.The car has 150k on 75k of which I've put up.It has M-tec suspension.Any advice or insights greatly welcomed.

[old_skool]

1. Had this before - was the damper nut under the black plastic cap in the strut top. Open the bonnet, remove the black cap and bounce the car up and down on the wing and watch for the damper rod popping up and down.

Can be a bugger to hold the damper rod and get a spanner in to tighten it (you'll see), a quick fix is to jam the nut in the housing with a large flatblade screwdriver and tighten the damper rod with a small (9mm - i think) spanner.

Not that I would do such a thing.....Ahem.....

2. Just check through all the obvious stuff. It really depends on what sort of noise it is and when it happens as to lead you in the right direction. Sounds like if the shock is tight in the housing then this could be your strut top fault again. Try jacking the front up and run the sterring back and fourth and listen for any noises and check for free play.

Hope you sort it

[SGP]

Thanks I'll check it out tomorrow,appreciate the advice.