I recently replaced springs and shocks/struts. Tokico illuminas and the pro kit. Im getting a popping sound going over speedbumps. I can replicate the noise by pushing down pretty hard on the front and making it bounce up and down but i dont notice it while driving. When i have the strut mount dust cover off i can see the strut move up and down ever so slightly and the popping noise is coming. I didnt replace my strut mounts, but i feel that the bushings or whatever is in a strut mount is bad. Im going to try and tighten the strut, accounting for the possibility that the strut is not tightened enough. Any thoughts on this? Am i correct in a bad strut mount?

My first guess would be strut mounts as well.

I can also hear the noise while driving, i cant get it while driving over a bump slow, but if i have any sort of speed in there i hear it.

How soon should this be fixed? i mean this is probably the worst time for car problems for me lol. Is it something that can wait like a month?

I wouldn't know why not.

JamesC

Well the only reason i ask is the strut is moving up and down about 1/2 inch with the bushing, you can see it move up and down, i dont know if that is bad or anything, i mean the strut is designed to move up and down anyways....

Moving up and down in the mount itself? If so, try tightening as you suggest.

JamesC

Well i need to get a deep socket to tighten it first, im still not sure if its just loose, or if the bushing is bad. It looks as if the bushing and strut are moving up and down at the same time, like they are connected together. Ill get a deep socket and tighten it and see what happens.

Thanks

Also, i tried searching and couldnt really find anything, are there any upgrades for strut mounts for our cars? and are they worth it over stock replacements?

Yes, I'm running Spohn's version (no rubber, but no ill effects either), but there are other versions as well.

Worth it? Well, depends on your plans for the car.

JamesC

Well, if i need a new strut mount im assuming its probably best to replace both due to the age of the car, but my plans would have to be just something thats fun to drive, i push my car quite hard while driving, and i plan on going to the track and making some passes, but i doubt ill road race or anything. I really just like working and upgrading my car, so besides the setbacks of parts breaking, i get to put new ones on lol.

Like i said i searched and couldnt really find anything, I remember something like J&M maybe making something, But im not sure if say there are any advantages over stock, I believe Rockauto lists them at 75$ a piece for stock replacements. I cant find a listing on Spohns website, so im not sure as to price but im in college and i cant afford 200$ a strut mount.

Poor fool that you are, you're officially addicted with your first statement .

The advantage is that the after market versions eliminate the rubber bushing so that there's no deflection (the same reason for using poly in the suspension).

http://www.spohn.net/shop/1982-1992-...sion-Steering/

JamesC

I like the J&M parts. They are a little cheaper than the Spohn's and have a lifetime warranty and free shipping.

Yep james, your right im addicted. And at a young age also. Im only 20 and its where all my money goes. But i like it so hey, whats the problem lol. I just keep tellin myself to learn now, so when im older ill be able to have a nice car like yours.

Back onto topic though, im assuming the J&M ones come with the mounting plates because you say there cheaper but at 217$ and spohn lists 179 without the plates(add 25). The warrenty is nice though.

Would eliminating the rubber bushings cause the mounts to wear out faster? Kinda like rod ends wear faster then poly or rubber bushings?

No, as far as I know, they last alot longer than the rubber ones. The J&M's warranty is on the the whole mount. If any of it goes bad, they replace it. The stock style Spohns are 192 while the ones comparable to the J&M are $275./

If you're talking about the retainer, you already have the correct ones. They're a non-wear item, so I simply cleaned and painted (with POR-15).

JamesC

Which ones do you have James? the Stock style ones, or the Spherical ones? Are the stock styled ones just an expensive aftermarket version? It doesnt note anything out of the ordinary in the description.

I have the spherical mounts. The other offering is an OE, the type you can purchase at any parts store (probably cheaper).

JamesC