strut bearings

[stocky]

i attempted to install some new struts today, but as i tried to take the strut top and springs out of the old strut, the ball bearings went everywhere, so the strut bearing must have broken. can this bearing be replaced, or are they included with new strut tops? any idea on what price i would pay for these at holden?

[daron]

i think they only like 40 bux holdens or pedders and so on

[stocky]

but is that for strut tops, or just the bearings? im not sure what im supposed to buy

[_R_J_K_]

I got a Nolathane set of tops and bearings for about $200 from Repco (probably less). That was buying them together. I'm pretty sure you can get the bearings seperately. I just figured it was easier to get the both of them together, as they come pre-assembled and you just slide them onto the struts.

[trav_304]

i would suggest getting new bearings and tops because if you dont the top piece may collapse then you will have a dent in your bonnet when your strut pops through. not very pretty.

[Ozzie]

The bearings dont wear very easily and are encased inside a plastic housing,
I would say the housing has come apart.
Try to find all the bearings and re-grease the housing. Will save you $$$

Mine did the same when i replaced my front shocks, lucky i had spare bearings

[markovr]

yep they all do it when you take them apart...if you find all the balls and clean them up you can regrease the race and use them again....even brand new ones do it..they clip together but stick to the rubber top and split when you take the strut out.

[greenacc]

you can get strut top bearings from repco or holden for the same price, about $25 each.
Have a good look at your rubber strut tops as well. If they are original they are probably buggered and should be replaced as well.

[stocky]

yep they all do it when you take them apart...if you find all the balls and clean them up you can regrease the race and use them again....even brand new ones do it..they clip together but stick to the rubber top and split when you take the strut out.

thats pretty much what ive done. regreased them all and put it back together. seems to be holding together fine. holden wanted $71 for a pair of new bearings

[jokerflingo]

Sorry for the thread dig guys but i am really stuck as to what to do, i am going to be installing my new lowered struts very soon and am unsure if i should get new strut top bearings? When a m8 helped me install my lowered springs with standard struts/shocks i remember the bearing coming apart and the ball bearings going everywhere, all we did was put them back in with heaps of grease.

I am thinking it would probably be best to get new ones especially since the car has 194xxx but does it really need them? It does make a small noise now and then going to almost full lock when quick which i dont remember before so that makes me lean towards getting them more. Only makes the noise now and then though? You reckon its related?

If i do get them what sort of price should i expect to pay at Holdens and do i need the whole assembly or? Because the ones on ebay are between $120 and $240.

Any help would be highly appreciated

Thanks
Matt.

[_R_J_K_]

I am thinking it would probably be best to get new ones especially since the car has 194xxx but does it really need them? It does make a small noise now and then going to almost full lock when quick which i dont remember before so that makes me lean towards getting them more. Only makes the noise now and then though? You reckon its related?

I got them simply because it was a 13 or 14 year old part (and the fact that they had cracked open and spilled everywhere), and I only wanted to take the struts out once. Thing I would be worried about was when you re-packed the ball bearings. When mine fell out, they got covered with sand and dirt. My mate said he could put them back in, but I just said we should replace them simply because they'd fallen apart so easily, and the bb's were now covered in dirt (bad for bb's). It's a piece of mind thing (it's also just faster and easier), replace it now while you have the struts out, and don't worry about it for a long time. Chance's are that they'll fall apart when you take them out this time too.

Going whole assembly would be easier, but if you really wanted too, you could probably use the factory bush and replace the bearing. If you buy the whole assembly, they come pre-assembled (my Nolathane ones did atleast) and you just have to put them onto the strut, no mucking around. Try and price up some Nolathane or Superpro ones.

[Brett_jjj]

I renewed mine,the plastic race was cracked,it had gone brittle.It looked old and crappy anyway and they are not very dear to buy.The new ones I got from holden didnt come apart,not that I tried pulling it apart though.My old ones all fell out everywhere as well when the strut was disassembled.

[Not_An_Abba_Fan]

I have a brand new set of Super Pro ones here that include the bearings. $180 posted.

[jokerflingo]

I have a brand new set of Super Pro ones here that include the bearings. $180 posted.

I will be in touch very soon i think, could you just explain the main difference between Genuine Holden and the SuperPro, Strut Top Bearings?

Thanks
Matt.

[Not_An_Abba_Fan]

Have a look here: SuperPro Polyurethane Bushes - Fulcrum Suspensions ? 1300 SUSPENSION ? The Steering and Suspension Gurus scroll down until you get to the VR-VE Strut top mount. The genuine Holden mounts are rubber.

[_R_J_K_]

I will be in touch very soon i think,

Do it, that's a good price.

[jokerflingo]

Do it, that's a good price.

I just contacted my local Holden Spares shop and for Genuine Strut Top Bearings its $60 for a pair, so now im stuck, whats the big difference between em and is it worth an extra $120? I myself usually stick with genuine gear unless there is a clear difference? I mean the current ones have lasted for almost 200,000km's will the aftermarket ones do the same?

Any more info?

Thanks
Matt.

[VSHeaven]

So you expect to run up another 200,000k? By that time you will be replacing much more costly components than strut bearings as part of your vintage VS commodore restoration project. Seriously though, the genuine ones should be fine...after all, they are still using the same bearings and mounts in the VE.

[_R_J_K_]

I just contacted my local Holden Spares shop and for Genuine Strut Top Bearings its $60 for a pair,

Is that just for the bearings, or is that for the bearings and bushes? The main difference will be that he Holden bushes will be rubber and the Superpro ones will be urethane.

EDIT:
Found this post in a resurrected thread in the VT section - Pedders told me my shocks are about to shoot through my bonnet!?!??