Top mount - bolts missing?

1. user_51160 Frequent Poster Joined: Mar 2011 Norwich Posts: 538 Saxos (sold), Civic

   #1 29th November 2011, 22:46

   Been poking around in my engine bay this evening, and noticed that there are only 3 bolts on each top mount (at least that's what I think it is). Strangely, the corner with no bolt is different on each:
   
   
   
   
   
   Should there be bolts in the empty holes?
   
   I wonder if this is the reason for the lumping round corners when I turn left too. Any thoughts?
2. mlawlan69 Saxperience Forum Bum Joined: Sep 2010 leeds Posts: 4389 MCS R53 S/C 16v furiooo

   #2 29th November 2011, 22:47

   it's normal, you couldn't put a bolt there if you tried
   
   with the standard set up of course.
3. willsy West Midlands Joined: Nov 2005 Nuneaton (West Mids) Posts: 13835 '64 Volvo V40 R’Design, '89 Ph1 309 GTi, ‘97 Mk1 S

   #3 29th November 2011, 22:48

   Nope only 3 bolts as standard. The rotation / position of these are dictated depending on whether it's a PAS or non PAS model from the factory
4. user_51379 Saxperience Forum Bum Joined: Mar 2011 plymouth Posts: 2921 mk2 VTS

   #4 29th November 2011, 22:48

   Quote:

   Originally Posted by mlawlan69 it's normal, you couldn't put a bolt there if you tried with the standard set up of course.

   +1, i thought this when i first owned a saxo, but as above, its normal
5. user_51160 Frequent Poster Joined: Mar 2011 Norwich Posts: 538 Saxos (sold), Civic

   #5 29th November 2011, 22:49

   Cheers - not the reason for the lumping then, will have to have a proper look around sometime soon.
6. user_51379 Saxperience Forum Bum Joined: Mar 2011 plymouth Posts: 2921 mk2 VTS

   #6 29th November 2011, 22:57

   Quote:

   Originally Posted by Tc24 Cheers - not the reason for the lumping then, will have to have a proper look around sometime soon.

   that could be a number of things..
7. user_51160 Frequent Poster Joined: Mar 2011 Norwich Posts: 538 Saxos (sold), Civic

   #7 29th November 2011, 23:06

   Quote:

   Originally Posted by sam_8v that could be a number of things..

   True, unfortunately. Narrowed it down a little, I know it's not driveshaft related as it still does it, even off throttle, and isn't proportional to engine revs. Only seems to do it when turning left and going over bumpy road. Might just have to get it up on axle stands and wobble things til I find something with a lot of free play in to tighten/replace. Seen a few posts on here as to what it could be, but I'm really still none the wiser.
8. user_51379 Saxperience Forum Bum Joined: Mar 2011 plymouth Posts: 2921 mk2 VTS

   #8 29th November 2011, 23:09

   Quote:

   Originally Posted by Tc24 True, unfortunately. Narrowed it down a little, I know it's not driveshaft related as it still does it, even off throttle, and isn't proportional to engine revs. Only seems to do it when turning left and going over bumpy road. Might just have to get it up on axle stands and wobble things til I find something with a lot of free play in to tighten/replace. Seen a few posts on here as to what it could be, but I'm really still none the wiser.

   it could be:
   droplinks,
   track rod ends,
   bottom suspension arms, (bottom ball joints)
   or it could be your rear axle throwing it off.
   also could be suspension bearings
   
   
9. user_51160 Frequent Poster Joined: Mar 2011 Norwich Posts: 538 Saxos (sold), Civic

   #9 29th November 2011, 23:12

   Quote:

   Originally Posted by sam_8v it could be: droplinks, track rod ends, bottom suspension arms, (bottom ball joints) or it could be your rear axle throwing it off. also could be suspension bearings

   Bit of a daunting list Although if it stops the knocking, I'd happily replace the lot!
   
   Although, I don't know what you mean about the rear axle... The noise is definitely coming from the front. I think I'm being a bit thick here, care to explain?
10. user_51379 Saxperience Forum Bum Joined: Mar 2011 plymouth Posts: 2921 mk2 VTS

    #10 29th November 2011, 23:14

    Quote:

    Originally Posted by Tc24 Bit of a daunting list Although if it stops the knocking, I'd happily replace the lot! Although, I don't know what you mean about the rear axle... The noise is definitely coming from the front. I think I'm being a bit thick here, care to explain?

    that was just a suggestion, cause my rear axle has caused turning problems before.
    drop links £9 ish each
    track rod end £9ish each
    bottom suspension arm £30ish
    suspension strut bearing £10ish
    
    if i was you i would replace the cheapest bits first, not loosing much then.
11. user_51160 Frequent Poster Joined: Mar 2011 Norwich Posts: 538 Saxos (sold), Civic

    #11 29th November 2011, 23:24

    Hopefully it isn't that.
    
    I was planning on getting one of Kwik Fit's free suspension checks (if that's still going?) identifying it, then replacing parts as necessary. If not, I think it will just be a case of trial and error replacing parts like you said.
12. user_51379 Saxperience Forum Bum Joined: Mar 2011 plymouth Posts: 2921 mk2 VTS

    #12 29th November 2011, 23:26

    Quote:

    Originally Posted by Tc24 Hopefully it isn't that. I was planning on getting one of Kwik Fit's free suspension checks (if that's still going?) identifying it, then replacing parts as necessary. If not, I think it will just be a case of trial and error replacing parts like you said.

    i think they may well still be doing it, but even most garages should do a free suspension check as it could be potential work for them?
    But yeah if not start with the chepest parts first