Srut top bearing?

[installer]

Right putting my ` I`m really thick` hat on here,

I`ve the infamous suspension clunk at the front left.
Replaced Antiroll bar links - no change
Going to replace the antiroll bar mounting rubbers
Going to oil the rad mounts
Car has had spring mod done - but am going to clean pan and put some copper grease in the pan - then check condition of spring mod sleeve.

Then was asking about a bolt size and this post came up
"working at vx i sort that problem out all the time,strut top bearings.garenteed.common on all vectra c's.even straight from the factory"
in this thread - http://www.vectra-c.com/forum/showthread.php?t=41239

So where exactly is this strut top bearing,is it known as something else,can it be repaired or does it need greasing - if so with copper grease,or should it be replaced????

Or if I put new shocks and springs on would this bearing get replaced as being part of the shock - or is that barking up the wrong tree.

Should I wait till all the above is dnoe before I take it to get aligned at a `Hunter` place?


Please help as I`m short on cash and am trying to do as much as possible on me tod.

[GARY3306]

The 'top mounts' are at the very top of the strut where it mounts up into the wing. They wouldn't normally be replaced when renewing the springs and/or shocks unless they needed doing or you asked for them to be renewed. To see if there is excess play, lift the bonnet and push hard down on the wing of the car and watch the upward movement of the top of the strut where mounted into the wing. Alternatively, jack the wheel up and use a bar under the wheel to lever it up, again watching for excess movement upwards at the top of the strut. HTH

[installer]

No movement with the bonnet up,but am going to tahe it apart next week with a mate and have a good look at it and try to pin point it.
Mate would be gobsmacked if it was ar bushes on a car thats 3 1/2 years old and done 30000 miles.
So now I don`t know whether to do my ar bushes.
I am convinced after listening to it last night that it`s suspension related.

Anyone else with advice to my questions in post 1