How absolutely necessary are

[Burn535i]

new strut mounts since i am replacing my struts with bilsteins and springs with vogtlands. I know that everyone recommends there replacement, but what is the penalty of not doing this? Thanks for your help.

[BavarianFanatic]

The penalty is having to pull everything apart again in a year when they fail. They're cheap. Just do them while you have it apart.

[4500 RPM]

Seriously replace those...not good when they fail. That is ONE thing I would not skimp on.

[Binjammin]

OP, I've got 6 sets of strut towers in the shop. I don't think I'd reuse any of the strut mounts, even though most look decent. It's not worth the hassle of having to take it all apart again when they fail.

[zubbie]

I reused mine.....:shifty

Mind you the car has no mileage

and they're not cheap, at least the ones you want to use that is

[Burn535i]

I reused mine.....:shifty

Mind you the car has no mileage

and they're not cheap, at least the ones you want to use that is

what is your mileage, I have 150K and it has never seen winter or road salt if that makes any difference.

[martyanderson10]

What is the difference between "strut mounts" and "strut towers? What exactly are you refering to? I am getting ready to install sport shocks on my 525 and did not know I needed anything else besides the shocks.

[Emons34]

i didnt replace mine even w 210k on the car, but im a mechanic so i can do them when i need, but i would recommend changing them ONLY if you get the adjustable ones, since your lowering your car your camber and caster is gonna be jacked and theres no point in buying factory replacements...

[Binjammin]

What is the difference between "strut mounts" and "strut towers? What exactly are you refering to? I am getting ready to install sport shocks on my 525 and did not know I needed anything else besides the shocks.

Strut towers refer to the whole strut assembly. Housings, springs, inserts, etc... The upper mount is the cap on the strut tower.

[mikemxbike4]

I reused my mounts. And im installing adjustable camber ones when originals fail

[zubbie]

what is your mileage, I have 150K and it has never seen winter or road salt if that makes any difference.

80K miles no winters, no bad roads

[uk525td]

ill be trying ot dig 2 out of the 4 i have and finda good set when i put my new toys on this weend, dont have the £60 or so spare at the moment to buy new ones, but if money wasnt an issue it owuld be a no brainer

[Deviate]

Where's that picture of that E34 touring with the dimple in the hood from a failed strut mount when you need it?

[Sneezy]

When the last few slots are full on the current Lotech buy I'll have this to do. Anything else I should replace, as long as I have it all apart anyway?

I'm thinking that since I'll have to get it re-aligned anyway, I'm going to replace the thrust arms and tie rod ends as well...maybe lose the intermittent shimmy under braking.

[eightynine535]

I reused my mounts. And im installing adjustable camber ones when originals fail

There are Camber/caster mounts out there for non-Coilover set ups?

[bmw slangen]

Strut towers refer to the whole strut assembly. Housings, springs, inserts, etc... The upper mount is the cap on the strut tower.

Strut mount is the #1 item in the picture below. And they usually last at least 2 times longer than the dampers.
So maybe a good rule of thumb could be to replace the strut mounts at every second time you replace your dampers.
http://www.exx.se/maintenance/front_damper_spring/explodedview.gif





Strut towers are the two "bulges" on either side in the engine bay where the strut assembly is mounted with three nuts each (see picture below).
http://www.exx.se/maintenance/front_damper_spring/0790.jpg





Strut assembly is usually refered to as the entire package - see picture below.
http://www.exx.se/maintenance/front_damper_spring/6042.jpg

[ILoveMPower]

When I tore mine all down only one was in bad shape, which I still rode around for a couple months before swapping it out. If you take the plastic cap off you can get a good idea of corrosion issues which should help you decide if you need to replace or not.

[Binjammin]

When I tore mine all down only one was in bad shape, which I still rode around for a couple months before swapping it out. If you take the plastic cap off you can get a good idea of corrosion issues which should help you decide if you need to replace or not.

You still need that one from me or you all set?

[mikemxbike4]

There are Camber/caster mounts out there for non-Coilover set ups?

Yes sir. Check turner motorsports. Here is the link
http://www.turnermotorsport.com/html/detail.asp?PRODUCT_ID=193416