Hey guys does anyone have any recommendations or opinions of what type of strut mount I should go with? I really like the look of the after market spohn types but is it worth 300 dollars?

Will I notice any difference at all?

Any advice is very appreciated thanks!

 

Depends on what you want to do with the car and how you want it to feel. If you just want to cruise around and do an occasional blast get stock. If you plan on more frequent spirited driving with more precise feel then get the solid bearing mount. But that's only one part to address if you want to go that way.

 

IIRC, when I bought mine (J&M products), there were really only two to choose from. Spohns design and Founders, J&M products/hotpart.com, and UMI's design.

I would get the Founders if I bought some today because of price and quality of materials.

 

Will you honestly feel any difference in cornering, handling, ect?

 

Money well spent. The upper strut is connected to the car through a 25 year old piece of rubber (essentially jello). Replacing that with the solid bearing removes the sloppyness and puts ALL the suspension motion in the struts, rather than most of it in the strut and some of it in the strut mount.

Any time the car shifts from one side to the other (cornering) you're getting a sideways twist applied to rubber applied to the strut. And differing amounts of stress depending on which side of the car is cornering.

The fun part is that you don't lose any ride quality with the solid bearing strut mounts. All they're doing is making the struts perform better.

If you haven't installed the Konis yet, remember that if you decide to go with solid bearing strut mounts, you can't reuse the stock boot cover on the struts (they won't fit). If you decide to stay with stock strut mounts, you can reuse the boot.

 

I would say yes, but I technically can't answer this question. I upgraded/replaced EVERYTHING in the front suspension and steering at the same time. the old stuff was worn out. 21 years and 183k on the clock, oem would have given a noticeable improvement.

 

Thanks for the response! I am definitely going to be going with the solid bearing strut mounts. When you say reuse the boot cover what do you mean? Is the boot cover what protects the stainless steel piece of the strut that goes into the strut mount?

Thanks!

 

Does anyone know if the KYB or Moog strut mounts that Rockauto carry are solid bearing mount or just stock replacements. It didn't say in the description. Thanks. Respect.

 

They are both factory rubber replacements.

 

Factory replacements for a daily driver for comfort. The solids do transfer a bit more road noise and obviously do not cushion a thing.

 

Thanks fellas. Will look at Founders they are only $70 bucks more. Respect.

 

That's the piece. The black cover that you see above the tire and below the strut mount. Keeps the stainless steel portion clear of rain and road grit. The Konis have a lifetime guarantee though. So I wouldn't worry about it.

 

I personally noticed an increase in ride quality with solid bearing SM's; maybe my rubber strut mount bushings were just really worn out.

When I installed my strut mounts; everything on my front suspension had already been replaced except for the springs & SM's. I mean everything. The solid strut mounts definitely made an improvement. It made a big difference in my steering control; steering is definitely more responsive with the solid bearings...

 

So what is suggested for a boot when using a solid bearing strut mount? Or do you not use any? I'm looking at getting KYB GR2 struts. Thanks.

 

None for me with Koni Yellows.

JamesC

 

Do they make replacements for these that work with the konis AND with the strut mounts?

 

These should work:
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/EX...n/?prefilter=1

 

Im getting more and more impressed with the quality of tech advice ib this forum. I read a lot of it often and find myself not bothering answering because good advice is often already given.

The only thing I will correct is solid mounts do yeild better ride quality than stock without transfering road noise- why? The fluid in the shock dampers it before it reaches the solid mount.