Where to find quality mk1 upper strut mounts

[8v-of-fury]

I have MAYBE 20k kms on my upper strut mounts.. and they are bot looking pretty damn bad. I ordered them last year at this time from Rock Auto, and have only had them on since last February. They were a Monroe brand and they were a good price, does Monroe do a lifetime deal on the mounts?! I recall them doing so which is why I bought them with my monroe sense tracs, also lifetime.

From the site I usually deal with; FEQ.. $14.60 a piece.. extra $8 for a three year warranty this time through the website. Autopartsway.ca.



NOW YOU AMERICANS! HAVE ALL THE LUCK! Every time from now on that I read about how you cannot afford to do regular maintenance on your vehicle.. I will drive down there and *** slap you. Rotors for $7.50, wheel cylinders for $3, full tie rod assemblies for $11 (inner and outer).. the boot kit for said tie rods? like $7.30. I have ordered from Rock Auto before, and because of all the price savings.. I saved $150 over buying in Canada.. INCLUDING SHIPPING FROM SEVERAL PLACES IN THE STATES, AND DUTIES TO GET IT ACROSS THE BORDER. I still saved over $150.. retarded.

Now where do you guys say would be best??

[wolf_walker]

No Febi/Bilstein?  They are still, far as I can tell, German made.  I've run them for years and yet to have a strut out-last one.
One trick is to file the metal bushing down to take out most of the vertical play, but not so much that it binds up.  They drive a lot nicer that way.  And grease them before install. 

[mystery3]

Whatdya think about these?
http://www.usrallyteam.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=76_205_211&products_id=1154

I can't find any polyurethane mounts. I didn't look too hard but they must be available someplace?

[8v-of-fury]

No Febi/Bilstein?  They are still, far as I can tell, German made.  I've run them for years and yet to have a strut out-last one.

Have them on my brothers 84 right now, maybe an easy 55k kms on them.. Also starting to push out the top. Yes I ground down the metal bushing on all of them for perfect fitment. No vertical play.

Whatdya think about these?
http://www.usrallyteam.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=76_205_211&products_id=1154

Whoa. those are pretty damn COOL!. spendy though! lol


I am probably just gonna make a big Rock Auto order, and take the hit on shipping...

[rs899]

You guys up there have all the good cars (like TDs).  We have cheap prarts.  Nobody wins.

[RabbitJockey]

Check out old school vulcanwerks stuff too

[ToddA1]

Check out old school vulcanwerks stuff too

Or look for a set of the rebuildable early style.  It's been learned that the Fox inserts fit them.

The later style has the entire front end suspended by rubber donuts. 

-Todd

[srgtlord]

Good luck finding a set of early mounts...

[ToddA1]

They're scarce, but they're out there if you're willing to search.  I saw 2 sets advertised on Vortex within the last 2 weeks.  They usually are snatched up quickly, so you need to can't be snoozing.

I've sold at least 2 sets within the last year.

-Todd

[wolf_walker]

55K is about right for mileage/life, especially with stiff struts and/or hard driving.
They out-last most of the front dampers the majority of people use.
The early style with poly inserts is the way to go if you want more/stiffer.
There is almost always a set to be had on Vortex.

The other thought I've had about them is building a bolt-on bridge across the top to restrain movement.
Likely tied into a cross brace bar for the towers, and made full round to re-enforce the strut tower top.

Not that they are Lincolns to start with but I think NVH will suffer.

[ToddA1]

I've never personally done it, but I've seen people fill the lower cavity of the later style mounts with 3M Window Weld.  It's supposed to help stiffen them up.  Have a few mounts ready so you don't waste the partial tube.

-Todd

[8v-of-fury]

I've tried filling the cavity before, doesn't do shiiiiii.

[wolf_walker]

If it's any consolation, I've seen several 50K mile A4's that the stock strut mounts, and shocks, and bushings, were shot too.
So it ain't just us.

[8v-of-fury]

That's true..

Sucks you can't get quality even if you spend the coin really. Still made with sub-par inferior rubber. In my eyes? A very stupid design in the first place .

[wolf_walker]

No argument here, on either point.

I just got a Cofle speedo cable today that is an obvious POS, lacks ANY markings on the cable itself
when I know damn well a few years ago they were rollmarked just like a Gemo or VDO or anything else.
One more company on my *** list.
The hold-down is cast wrong, and pot metal, and broke, and it's still making noise.
Lubed with graphite, forgot to lube tip at gauge and hopefully that will shut it up.
We will see if it leaks, I'll probably order another one of another brand anyway.

Sigh.