Does anyone know why the aftermarket mounts all have one larger slotted mounting bolt hole than the other two? My original ones had all three slotted holes the same size. The one in the picture below is an aftermarket one I put on 8 years ago and I had to make a thick plate to cover the larger slot (on the right in the picture) so the nut wouldn't bend the washers down into the slot. I just ordered a new set of KYB's from Rock Auto and the picture showed all three slotted holes the same size. When they arrived today, the third hole is larger like other aftermarket ones and the ones I am replacing.

 

They don't. Yours was hogged out by hand, as can easily be seen by the master craftsmanship.
It's ruined. Bolt will never stay tight now.

 

Can't say why but yes the aftermarket ones are like that. A piece of flat steel with a hole or a good washer and it's all good.

 

Show me a reputable American company that does that.

 

Is there a reputable American made OEM replacement? All the stock style replacement ones I looked at (Moog, KYB, Gabriel) were all like the OP's. I ended up just getting J&M mounts instead because of it.

 

I don't know, I've never looked for stock replacement. They're not stable enough. Upgraded caster/camber plates make the top 3 list of things you can do to make your 3rd gen handle better.

I have beautiful stock plates that came off my car in 1999 but nobody seemed to want them so I stopped advertising a while ago.

 

I don't disagree. OP is looking for stock style plates for whatever reason though.

 

True dat.

 

I don't have personal experience (yet), but LSx Matt bought some OEM-style replacements (don't know where he got 'em) and they were so bad that he put the originals back on...

 

I don't know that I'd want that on my car. I know I'm not answering the question, but that just doesn't look like a good idea. Can't see that third bolt offering much help.

 

Any reason why OP doesn't want a decent set of aftermarket ones? They aren't overly expensive and these pop up used from time to time.

 

What brand do you recommend? I still have the stockers...

 

You can't go wrong with any of the reputable aftermarket ones. Sohn, BMR, UMI, Detroit Speed, and Founders all make nice units for these cars. QA1 makes a set if you swap to front coil overs. This is a simple aftermarket solution and the only thing you have to be aware of are the cheapo ebay brands. Been there, failed that.

 

Why Would They Even Make That Change

 

Early third gen retainers are a little different. This way they can sell one part for all years.

JamesC covered it in this thread. Pictures at post #7.

https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/susp...elp-quick.html

 

ShiftyCapone, You've just given me option-anxiety...

 

Ha, Sorry about that. Do you have any other aftermarket suspension stuff on your car? If so, just go with that same brand. I have had great luck with UMI and Founders.

 

Stock suspension (added Z-28 springs & sway-bars), new ball joints and LCA bushings, tie-rod ends, Wonderrbar, and Koni yellow struts...

 

Are you happy with those?

 

Can't really say. They seem fine, but I only had them installed for about 50 miles before I started pulling the car apart to redo the suspension and drive line last year and haven't gotten the car back together yet.

I think the Founders are the same exact product for a little cheaper IIRC.

 

Thanks all for the thoughts. My guess has been that the larger slot is to allow them to be used on various applications. The ones I am replacing have never slipped since I use a larger thick plate I made instead of washers under that one bolt. I notice that the kit now uses thicker washers than the old ones from 6 years ago.

 

This is one of those things where Founders makes a really good product at a really good price.

The larger diameter of the top hat the more trouble you're going to have with it running into the brake master cylinder and limiting camber adjustment.

 

I agree with this. However, if you are using the stock brake master cylinder and reservoir you are probably ok clearance wise. If you decide to run an aftermarket master (Baer or Wilwood), you'll need to do a little fab and weld work on the side of the strut cap, otherwise, you'll have limited alignment capabilities.

 

Don’t mean to threadjack but would you recommend the founders set of strut mounts over the Spohn set? I’m looking to replace my struts in the future (I’m going to be buying KYB struts, Koni struts are way outside my budget unfortunately) and I want some quality strut tower mounts for them.

 

KYBs are not expensive. Konis are...

 

Typo + confusing sentences on my end, I’ve edited it and fixed them.

 

Thanks WildCard600. I guess I'll be putting some miles on mine before you do yours. I think there are meaningful differences between the Founders and J&M. That doesn't make the Founders a bad part, but I preferred (and ordered) the J&M. Time will tell.

FOUNDERS
- Replaceable super high strength heat treated stainless steel teflon-lined spherical bearings for noise free performance.
- CNC laser cut main plate is made using 5/16″ high strength P&O steel (IE: seperate pieces of plate that are welded together?...DD)

J&M

• Replaceable high strength chrome moly bearing for noise free performance
• 52100 heat treated steel/hard chrome plated ball
• Bearing race is heat treated 4340 chrome moly steel
• Bearing liner is a stronger sintered bronze wire net impregnated with PTFE powder, same as modern ball joints.
• Forged one piece bearing mount made from 4340 chrome-moly

"The bearing mounts forged from 4340 chrome-moly are completely weld free making this the strongest bearing mount on the market. We also had a bearing made to our specifications which is made from 4340 chrome-moly steel that is heat treated to a bearing strength of 78,000 lbs/in. making this the strongest bearing ever used in a Camaro camber plate. Our unique liner is not the standard liner found in all other camber plates, we use a stronger sintered bronze wire impregnated with PTFE powder, the same as modern ball joints. The first to offer a LIFETIME WARRANTY from craftsmanship and defects."

 

'Just ordered the J&Ms...

 

I don't know, never had a Spohn in my hands.