Hello, I am currently partially refurbishing my 1987 polo c breadvan and on the suspension which I've taken off, the bearing and it's cover seem to have a bit of play on both sides? Is this supposed to happen or do I need to replace it? I am also wondering what torque I'm supposed to put the slotted nut on top of it to?

Thanks👍

Piston rod top nut: 40 Nm

Counter hold the piston hex part when you do

such as thin ring spanner and mole grips.

(with car tyres back on the ground for anything encased in rubber).

The rubber or the actual bearing has play?

You can buy just the bearings

eg Febi 02132

Or do you mean the spring top centering plate?

That nut needs 60Nm.

Some lateral play is permitted by design

MOT tester note

Edited 26 August Aug 26 by dvderlm

20260826_164411.heic This gold looking part here, on top of the bearing has a fair amount of play and the bearing is in that so I assumed bearing problem? It sort of moves around sideways if you jog it. And the slotted nut I mean is the one holding that down

Thanks, Amy.C

Is it metal?

I'm not sure if that is even a 861 412 323 A top mount with integrated bearing from a Mk1 Polo pre 1981.

I would expect an elastomer rubber top mount with bearing for 1987 Polo mk2.

871 412 323 A

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It's a mk2, 1987 breadvan, yeah it's a metal cap I'm not sure what the play limit is

More than half a millimetre would worry me because the tracking camber is controlled by this and the track rod arms.

Is there heavy shoulder wear on the front tyres inside or outside.

Hard to tell because fronts always round off.

Part 23 does look like yours.

https://www.lllparts.co.uk/product/871412323a/retainer-withaxial-grooved-ball-bearing-871412323a

but same part number on a 1991 Polo does not

https://www.lllparts.co.uk/catalogs/vw/RDW/PO/120/4/411/32000

Ok I see, thank you👍 the front tyres don't seem to have noticeable shoulder wear but also before I owned it (only had it a little while) it was only used for like 200 miles a year so maybe it's not had time to create noticeable wear? Not sure. Thanks for that part link though, that does seem like the right one