I am getting ready to replace the struts on my 92 GTA. I was wondering what are the best strut mounts to get ? Mine on the car now don't seem to be in very good shape. Any help would be great thanks.

 

Best is subjective. There are many options depending on what you want. I plan on buying the DSE mounts

 

The UMI mounts are very nicely made.
https://www.umiperformance.com/home/...camber-plates/

 

First, what is your budget? Second, do you want stock looking parts or are you okay with the look of aftermarket/ performance upper strut mounts?

AC Delco (if that name even means anything anymore) costs around $60-65 each. Moog and KYB are similar to lower priced. Just note that you will have to reuse the strut retainer bracket and hardware.

Performance wise, there are several choices. They are all perceived as "better" than stock due to eliminating the rubber bushing and replacing it with a spherical bearing. While this does improve steering response and feel, it could lead to an increase in NVH (Noise, Vibration, and Harshness)

• UMI set looks good. ($239.99 for a set). *UMI is a Forum Sponsor.
• Founders Performance has a nice looking set that is very attractively priced ($169.25 for a set) * Founders Performance is a Forum Sponsor.
• Spohn has a compatible set but a bit pricey. ($289.99 for a set)
• DSE (Detroit Speed Engineering) has the most repeatable adjustments with the Speed-LIGN system. However, you pay for it ($550.00)

It will really come down to the budget, along with the aesthetic you want when you open the hood. I will be personally choosing the Founder's Performance one as they are a forum sponsor, decently priced, and fit my need/ comfort level.

You're mileage will very.

 

I can tell you to not get the standard lowered suspension Spohn mounts. They are set high as they are for lowered cars. And hence don't clear the master cylinder.

From my understanding the regular (lower sitting) mounts do clear the master cylinder, but need to ask him first.

Oh, and you will likely need to shim the upper bearings to prevent clunking over bumps.

RBob.

 

Good question Rob's 92 gta. The 32 year old originals on mine, even at 5x,xxx miles, are most certainly past their prime.

So any advantages here one to the other? UMI and Detroit promise more adjustability than the factory mount. Founders has no comment on this. But Founders does offer a lifetime warranty on the base plate. For a rubber bushing replacement, each offers:

UMI = "chrome moly Teflon lined spherical bearing." Sounds strong...not sure how long the Teflon lasts.

Detroit Speed = "an aircraft-grade monoball." Sounds good, though I'm not entirely sure what that means. That tells me (I guess) what the ball is made of, but what the bearing surface it rides on?

Founders = "a special stainless steel replaceable Teflon lined spherical bearing." I like stainless. A good grade would be plenty strong, and less susceptible to corrosion. And I like the idea that I can replace the Teflon bearing surface. No one else mentions this.

Rbob throws Spohn into the argument. But going through their catalog, I'm not seeing strut mounts.

https://www.spohn.net/shop/1982-1992...dy/Suspension/

Rbob also mentions shimming to avoid rattles...well, yes, I would not want to introduce rattles in the suspension with this change. Do all of them require this?

 

I have the UMI's sitting in front of me....looks like the bearing is easily replaceble and appears to have a semi spherical inner race allowing it to pivot.

 

They are in the steering & suspension section:

https://www.spohn.net/shop/1982-1992...ut-Mounts.html

As far as all of them requiring shimming, I don't know. It would depend upon how they are made. At first there wasn't any noise as the light press fit kept them in place. But eventually they worked loose and the noise was enough to drive you crazy. Only needed a .016 - .022" shim to fit them so the spherical ball housing didn't have any end play.

RBob.

 

Are the Founder's Performance mounts clones of J&M Product's mounts?

 

I purchased - and hope to install this week or next - the KYB mounts from RockAuto. My car will be just a driver, so don't need anything fancy. Parts look good in the box, have the widened slot to vaccinate both early and later third gens.

 

FWIW I've had the Founders ones on my car for ~2000 miles and haven't had any issues.

 

Where would one find these shims to avoind the clunk? I have some Koni yellow struts on the way and I have a set of KYB strut mounts here but am thinking about ditching them and ordering the Founder's set of strut mounts. I don't like the widened slot on the KYBs to make them fit all years. They should include a washer in the hardware kit with those to span the entire gap of the widened slot.

 

They sure look it, so do UMIs part. Been running J&M on mine some 15+ years and never one issue. Ive used Monroe, KyB, Tokico, Koni and never needed a shim for strut fitment.

 

let us know how they fit. I did the AC Delco's and they dont fit that well. part # 901005/6. Had to use grade 8 washers to get them secured properly.

 

I just replaced mine and the Moogs have the enlarged slot to accommodate both styles as well. I also ended up having to add case hardened washers to span the gap.

 

I just got off the phone with Founder's and they said they have never heard of anyone shimming their mounts. They did say that they are incompatible with the stock dust cover though. I suspect all mounts that run the spherical bearing are the same in this regard.

 

I went with founders strut mounts a few years back. Car doesn’t get driven much so it’s not racked up a lot of miles but so far no complaints. They look really good but no you can’t reuse stock dust covers. This thread reminded me I need to make some of those for them.

 

I have a brand new set of UMIs Ill be looking to sell in a week or so if interested let me know.