Omega Owners Forum

Chat Area => General Car Chat => Topic started by: Andy B on 10 August 2009, 11:26:13

Title: McPherson top 'bearing'
Post by: Andy B on 10 August 2009, 11:26:13
Any suggestions as to where or not to buy a top 'bearing'/bush. SWMBO's Astra has just passed its MOT but with an advisory of this top bearing/bush. Thing is I only changed it 2 years ago, only thing was it was with a pattern part that cost £6 from Andrew Page (motor factors) against £60 from Vauxahll across the road. So my penance for using cheap pattern parts is having to do the job again. I've just looked at Euro parts and they supply two different makes ... that well known make of TOPRAN  (http://www.eurocarparts.com/ecp/c/Vauxhall_Astra_1.6_2002/p/Car-Parts/Suspension-and-Steering/Suspension/Suspension-Mountings/?609720071&1&91b2071b4d95f579a2d14173c5b3993b53c0c426) @ £6.odd  :-/ and SKF (http://www.eurocarparts.com/ecp/c/Vauxhall_Astra_1.6_2002/p/Car-Parts/Suspension-and-Steering/Suspension/Suspension-Mountings/?669720020&1&f353d8b6a1306a44b7c274a1416b8650d8a28e40) @ £40
So before I nip to Manchester for the SKF, does anyone have any other suggestions? I don't really want to have to change it again so soon.  :(  :(  :(
Title: Re: McPherson top 'bearing'
Post by: Andy B on 10 August 2009, 17:10:22
Looks like I've make my own mind up then ............  ::)

SKF I think!  ;)  ;)  ;)
Title: Re: McPherson top 'bearing'
Post by: Agemo on 10 August 2009, 19:03:32
Can't think as I have ever changed one mate, but two years doesn't sound long at all. I would expect one from the scrappy to last longer than that.
Title: Re: McPherson top 'bearing'
Post by: mantagte on 10 August 2009, 19:06:33
but who is to say that the sfk bearing will not break after two years
i know they are a known quality company
but £34  difference
are you going to keep the car for another two years
it not or you dont know stick to the cheaper one
its only an hours work after all  ;D
Title: Re: McPherson top 'bearing'
Post by: Andy B on 10 August 2009, 19:43:18
Quote
.....
its only an hours work after all  ;D

but it's my hours work! An hour I'd prefer not to have to spend!  ;D  ;D  ;D  ;D
I suppose it's all down to pay cheap pay twice  :(

At least I don't have to pay out for a set of spring compressors this time  ;D  ;D  ;D
Title: Re: McPherson top 'bearing'
Post by: Pete Elite on 11 August 2009, 01:10:41
This bearing Andy is it like a polo mint(shape wise)about the size of a bake bean tin lid and around 3to4mm thick?
Title: Re: McPherson top 'bearing'
Post by: Andy B on 11 August 2009, 01:13:16
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This bearing Andy is it like a polo mint(shape wise)about the size of a bake bean tin lid and around 3to4mm thick?

Although it's called a bearing, on the Astra it's just a rubber bush, I think there is an actual bearing in it on a car as big as the Omega though. It's more like a couple inches thick.
Title: Re: McPherson top 'bearing'
Post by: Pete Elite on 11 August 2009, 01:29:42
Quote
Quote
This bearing Andy is it like a polo mint(shape wise)about the size of a bake bean tin lid and around 3to4mm thick?

Although it's called a bearing, on the Astra it's just a rubber bush, I think there is an actual bearing in it on a car as big as the Omega though. It's more like a couple inches thick.

   Ah i see Andy as the one I'm thinking of was one i replaced on a Senator i had and that was only £13 :).
Title: Re: McPherson top 'bearing'
Post by: Andy B on 11 August 2009, 01:51:00
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Quote
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This bearing Andy is it like a polo mint(shape wise)about the size of a bake bean tin lid and around 3to4mm thick?

Although it's called a bearing, on the Astra it's just a rubber bush, I think there is an actual bearing in it on a car as big as the Omega though. It's more like a couple inches thick.

   Ah i see Andy as the one I'm thinking of was one i replaced on a Senator i had and that was only £13 :).

I know which bit you mean, I made a couple of beefed up version for use on Lotus Carltons (not mine unfortunately  ;))
Title: Re: McPherson top 'bearing'
Post by: Essex Pete on 11 August 2009, 10:27:01
Try AutoVaux.  I bet they will have OEM or OEM quality at less than dealers prices
Title: Re: McPherson top 'bearing'
Post by: Marks DTM Calib on 11 August 2009, 12:17:34
Quote
Quote
This bearing Andy is it like a polo mint(shape wise)about the size of a bake bean tin lid and around 3to4mm thick?

Although it's called a bearing, on the Astra it's just a rubber bush, I think there is an actual bearing in it on a car as big as the Omega though. It's more like a couple inches thick.

There is a bearing in it
Title: Re: McPherson top 'bearing'
Post by: Andy B on 11 August 2009, 12:37:12
Quote
Quote
Quote
This bearing Andy is it like a polo mint(shape wise)about the size of a bake bean tin lid and around 3to4mm thick?

Although it's called a bearing, on the Astra it's just a rubber bush, I think there is an actual bearing in it on a car as big as the Omega though. It's more like a couple inches thick.

There is a bearing in it


In your best panto reply ....All together! ......
Oh no there's not!  :y  :y
top view
(http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k17/Tiff4327/S73F1081.jpg)

underside view
(http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k17/Tiff4327/S73F1082.jpg)

Title: Re: McPherson top 'bearing'
Post by: Marks DTM Calib on 11 August 2009, 12:41:42
Yah daft bugger......that aint the top bearing, thats just the top rubber bush. ;D ;D

The bearing is mounted in the section that sits at the top of the strutt!
Title: Re: McPherson top 'bearing'
Post by: Andy B on 11 August 2009, 12:44:12
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Yah daft bugger......that aint the top bearing, thats just the top rubber bush. ;D ;D

The bearing is mounted in the section that sits at the top of the strutt!

It's the rubber bush that's gone! ;D ;D
But you do see them described as a bearing. Am I correct in saying that the Omega's top bearing is built into the top bush?  :-/
Title: Re: McPherson top 'bearing'
Post by: Andy B on 11 August 2009, 12:45:13
I should be outside doing the job now instead of talking about it!  ::) ::)
Title: Re: McPherson top 'bearing'
Post by: Marks DTM Calib on 11 August 2009, 12:59:07
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I should be outside doing the job now instead of talking about it!  ::) ::)

Well, the bush should not go....so check the bearing is ok and not forcing the bush to rotate on the strutt mount.

Thats why the price is so different....one is for the spring mount with bearing, the other is for the top bush
Title: Re: McPherson top 'bearing'
Post by: Andy B on 11 August 2009, 14:51:28
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I should be outside doing the job now instead of talking about it!  ::) ::)

Well, the bush should not go....so check the bearing is ok and not forcing the bush to rotate on the strutt mount.

Thats why the price is so different....one is for the spring mount with bearing, the other is for the top bush

There sems to a bit move rotary movement in the side that was deemed to be OK. The bearing at the top of the strut was OK, moved freely. The play in the bush was apparent when the car was jacked up and the wheel levered up from underneath.
All looks OK now the new bush  ;) has been fitted.  :y
Title: Re: McPherson top 'bearing'
Post by: Andy B on 11 August 2009, 15:05:27
Old bush on the left in both pictures
(http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k17/Tiff4327/S73F1084.jpg)

(http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k17/Tiff4327/S73F1085-1.jpg)
Title: Re: McPherson top 'bearing'
Post by: Marks DTM Calib on 11 August 2009, 15:29:11
Cant see a lot wrong....you would expect them to be shorter as they ahev been squashed for a few years.

Any sign of tearing on the rubber?
Title: Re: McPherson top 'bearing'
Post by: Marks DTM Calib on 11 August 2009, 15:30:06
In fact, I reacon your bearing is goosed....see how the raised rubber grips have been worn off where its been rotating.
Title: Re: McPherson top 'bearing'
Post by: andyc on 11 August 2009, 16:58:06
the bearing is on top of the spring upper seat. Part Number 90468618 @ £10.04

Cheers
Andy
Title: Re: McPherson top 'bearing'
Post by: Andy B on 11 August 2009, 17:08:27
Quote
Cant see a lot wrong....you would expect them to be shorter as they ahev been squashed for a few years.

Any sign of tearing on the rubber?

I agree, it doesn't look too bad, but he new one fills the space under the wing a lot better than the old one had. The bearing on top of the strut itself is only small (maybe 12mm i/d and perhaps 25 o/d ) and as said does rotate nicely with no signs of grittyness etc
IIRC the last one I changed a couple of years back looked about the same but the new one fillled the space like this new one does.
Title: Re: McPherson top 'bearing'
Post by: Andy B on 11 August 2009, 17:08:49
Quote
the bearing is on top of the spring upper seat. Part Number 90468618 @ £10.04

Cheers
Andy

Thanks Andy  :y  :y