McPherson Struts?

[dyoungen]

I have a 1985 VW Jetta N/A Diesel with a 5 speed tranny. I just finished changing the passenger side CV joint and while I was working on the front end noticed the McPherson strut(?) was loose. I could see the whole strut going up and down when I lifted the wheel assembly. It seems to be loose at the top. The reason I changed the CV joint was when I went over a large bump or railroad tracks I would hear a loud thump and thought "CV" joint after seeing the outer boot was wide open. My question is do I tighten the nut on the top or the set screw/allen headed screw inside the nut? AS you can tell I"m not to familiar with what this car has as far as struts/shocks or whatever.   

[Vincent Waldon]

It's a strange design but completely normal for there to be a big gap between the strut bearing and the strut retainer when the car is up in the air and the wheels are dangling... gravity puts things in their right spot when the car is back on the ground.

As the strut bearing ages this gap will get wider and wider... the Bentley has a "max gap" spec I believe... and if you're getting noticeable noise over big bumps they may be due for replacement, having lost their "spongyness".  Luckly they are cheap.

The other place clunks can happen is in the rubber bushing on the connecting arm... worth a look as well while you the car up in the air.

[dyoungen]

Rubber bushing on the connecting arm? Where would that be?

[8v-of-fury]

 one of these two spots

[rs899]

8V illustrated the MkI version- yours is the MkII. Check the bushing right in line with the ball joint- they look most likely to fail IMO.

[8v-of-fury]

my bad;



One of THESE two spots on the right

[smutts]

The other rattle favorite is the slotted nut being loose, the one beneath the top strut nut. Garages never seem to get them done up after swapping dampers, shocks whatever you call them.