Broken top bushing on front suspension strut. The wheel drops down when the car is put on a lift for servicei Is this bushing replaceable without replacing the whole strut assembly?

you need to take it to a shop which has a lift and have them put it up in the air so a long lever can be applied to the suspension components to reveal which has the worst play. could be:

strut mounts or struts
control arm bushing, inside, middle, or the ball joint
outer tie rod ends
wheel bearings

everything up there wears with age and needs replaced at least every 10 years.

sway bar links maybe also check that it is front and not rear

first of all, since you are using adjustable suspension you should make sure the spring is captive in the shock absorber. Lift the rear of the vehicle and support the car on the body, allowing the rear wheels to hang down. See if the spring can easily be moved. If it can. then likely the spring has sagged, or it is incorrect for the shock absorber. If not, while you are there check that the top hat of the strut is tight by lifting the wheel and strut assembly by hand. If you get any movement in the top of the strut, there will be a loud noise while going over bumps. Another area to check are the stabiliser arm/sway bar bushes. Mounted to the body you will see a bar that goes left to right, connecting to the struts with small link arms. Try to move this bar up and down against the body, paying attention to the rubber bushes where it meets the body. If there is movement in the bushes, there will be banging sounds when going over rough surfaces or bumps. Also check the small link arms for looseness or play.

As far as I am aware, you need to disconnect strut at bottom (moving any brake pipes first) remove bolts on top of strut (except centre one on strut itself) you should then be able to drop the strut out, replace bush, refit strut securing at top first, then secure bottom of strut and replace any pipes you have moved.
You may have to turn your wheel (brake disc) to get it out and be careful not to damage any collars or sleeves. Hope that helps, Jonjo.

REMOVE**** FRONT SHOCKS, FIRST OF ALL.SUPPORT THE LOWER CONTROL ARM WITH A JACK,REMOVE FRONT WHEEL, REMOVE BRAKE HOSE AND ABS SENSOR HARNESS TO THE STRUT BOLTS OR CLIPS,REMOVE ACTUATOR FROM TOP OF THE STRUT,IF EQUIPPED WITH AUTOMATIC ADJUSTING SUSPENSION. PAINT ALIGNMENT MARKS ON THE UPPER STRUT MOUNTING BLOCK AND STRUT TOWER AND ON THE LOWER STRUT MOUNT TO STEERING KNUCKLE SO THAT CAN BE REINSTALLED IN THE SAME POSITION. REMOVE UPPER STRUT MOUNTING NUTS, REMOVE THE STRUT TO KNUCKLE BOLTS,REMOVE STRUT ASSEMBLY.TO INSTALL ***** INSTALL STRUT INTO THE STRUT TOWER ALIGNING THE PAINT MARKS MADE DURING REMOVAL.INSTALL UPPER MOUNTING NUTS AND TIGHTEN TO 34 - 46 FT LBS. INSTALL STRUT TO KNUCKLE BOLTS TIGHTEN TO 55 - 61 FT LBS. INSTALL ACTUATOR AND ENGAGE THE ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR IF EQUIPPED WITH AAS. INSTALL BRAKE HOSE AND ABS SENSOR HARNESS CLIPS OR BOLTS.INSTALL WHEEL AND CHECK ADJUST THE FRONT END ALIGNMENT. TO ( REPLACE REAR SHOCKS ) REMOVE REAR WHEELS, REMOVE REAR PACKAGE TRIM. REMOVE SPEED SENSOR HARNESS, REMOVE TOP STRUT NUTS,THE SUSPENSION WILL DROP WHEN THE WEIGHT LIFTS OFF THE WHEELS. REMOVE BOTTOM STRUT BOLTS.REMOVE STRUT ASSEMBLY.TO INSTALL ***** INSTALL STRUT ASSEMBLY, INSTALL BOTTOM STRUT MOUNT BOLTS AND TIGHTEN TO 55 - 61 FT LBS.INSTALL UPPER MOUNTING NUTS AND TIGHTEN TO 33 - 46 FT LBS. INSTALL SPEED SENSOR HARNESS.INSTALL REAR PACKAGE TRIM. INSTALL REAR WHEELS.

Since the struts are the important suspension parts of the car specially of the front, the job must be taken seriously and done with good tools. Also the alignment must be checked after replacing of the strut which need a good sytem.
So even though the strut can be removed and fitted like removing the strut with jacking up the front , removing the wheel assembly , removing the link and pulling out down.
But care must be taken to put back with new bushes on the balance rods, check the tie rod ends and suspension bushes.
My Advice is to get the OE component replaced by the service dealer, checked, aligned with warranty.

1. The top bushings on the Mac' struts have DRIED out, where the strut rod passes thro' the top mounting anchor. Disconnect using a Spring clamp, and use Molybdenum anti seize grease.
2. A broken strut suspension coil spring.
3. A dry idler arm shaft bushing.
Regards, DT

try not to kill yourself.
You need a spring compressor for this job.
Three nuts on top , two at nuckle , disconnect any brake hoses or wires attached to strut if present ,
If brake hose goes through the bracket on the strut , and there is no options but disconnect brake line , I usually cut bracket carefully the way I can split bracket and take hose out without disconnecting the brake line.But make sure that it cut really nice so you can put it back together with locking spring.
After that , take strut assy. out and COMPRESS THE SPRING (spring compressor) ,after-take center nut on top of the strut out and you done. Memorize the way (mark it) spring was sitting , and sequence
for the parts and put it back together .
Installation - opposit of removal.

See if you can bounce car and replicate the noise. If you can, you should be able to find it, and put your hand on it. Stabilizer bushing are a place to look, both at the lower a arm and on the frame. If you narrow it down to the strut, it will need to be replaced. The front trans mount also goes bad, try putting it in drive with your foot on the brake and give it some gas and see if the engine moves an excessive amount.

well first you will need all the tools to make it a safe process.

decent jack and axle stands
long leverage bar 5ft
spring compressor

first loosen you wheel bolts
jack up the car and secure it safely on axle stands
remove wheel
then remove the anti roll bar bush. (two 8mm bolts on the wishbone)
then loosen off and remove the clamp onto the mcferson strut. (on the back of the wheel hub its the single bolt which clamps onto the upright of the suspension unit)
you might haave to wedge a chisle into the clamp to open it up to release the mcferson strut.

you might have to release the steering balljoint but i cant remember if its on the suspention leg or on the wheel hub.

then you put the big pry bar under the wishbone and perhasps a mate to push that down to get the clamp off the bottom of the suspention arm.

finally remove the 3 bolts which are under the hood of the bonnet and the hole suspension unit will drop onto the floor.



after that you have to compress the springs, undo the top bolt and dissemble it, making sure you put it all in order as you take it apart.