This is why you should replace your strut mounts

[zzyzzx]

This is why you should replace your strut mounts when replacing struts (I.E. - use a quick strut):

I replaced the strut and spring there in 2005 at around 112K miles, reusing the strut mount. The car now has 209K miles.

 

[Rand]

you are assuming the aftermarket part wont rust faster and die in 7 years though.

 

[Astro14]

Depends on which aftermarket part...just replaced struts on the V70XC and replaced the mounts with Febi/Bilstein mounts...they make good parts...mounts can fail, the bearings and rubber age and wear, and when I factor in the PITA of having to pull struts to replace them, I reckon that doing the mounts when I do the struts is a good practice....

 

[zzyzzx]

The thing is that these aftermarket (Monroe) struts have 97K miles on them. I'm not sure if I just want to replace the strut mount or just install quick struts. Depends upon what I see when I take it apart. If it matters, I do not know how long I am going to keep this car, it's a beater.

 

[zzyzzx]

The other side looks better, but still pretty bad:

 

[mpvue]

I would usually replace the strut mounts also; on my '93 camry, I did the rear struts and mounts in the spring. the old mounts looked good, not rusted at all but the struts were shot.
a few months later, the new left strut blew right through the top of the new strut mount.

 

[Jarlaxle]

This is one reason why I do not like struts...

 

[MinusPrevious]

Di-icing chemical damage!!

I work in the automotive industry where we deal w/the effects of corrosion (rust jacking) caused by the di-icers (Mag / calicium chlorides)

Anway,just making an observation

 

[Bluestream]

Maybe if you had sprayed some oil on that area it wouldn't have rusted?

 

[zzyzzx]

Originally Posted By: MinusPrevious
Di-icing chemical damage!!

I work in the automotive industry where we deal w/the effects of corrosion (rust jacking) caused by the di-icers (Mag / calicium chlorides)

Anway,just making an observation


Absolutely correct! I do drive this car in the snow and rain.

 

[zzyzzx]

Originally Posted By: mpvue
I would usually replace the strut mounts also; on my '93 camry, I did the rear struts and mounts in the spring. the old mounts looked good, not rusted at all but the struts were shot.
a few months later, the new left strut blew right through the top of the new strut mount.


Pics? What brand and model strut? Was the replacement strut mount made in Mexico or China?

 

[The Critic]

Quick struts are a great idea, but it seems like they've had their share of QC issues on certain applications.

 

[ABerns]

Wow. How was the ride and noise? As bad as I suspect it would be?

 

[Turk]

Just replaced mine in the '97 Camry Monday.

 

[mpvue]

Originally Posted By: zzyzzx
Originally Posted By: mpvue
I would usually replace the strut mounts also; on my '93 camry, I did the rear struts and mounts in the spring. the old mounts looked good, not rusted at all but the struts were shot.
a few months later, the new left strut blew right through the top of the new strut mount.


Pics? What brand and model strut? Was the replacement strut mount made in Mexico or China?

really don't recall. they were some cheap ones from rockauto, don't know the brand or country of origin.

 

[mechtech2]

It is not necessary to wait that long before replacing a failing part.

 

[PandaBear]

Originally Posted By: The Critic
Quick struts are a great idea, but it seems like they've had their share of QC issues on certain applications.


as well as the possibility of non standard components that prevents you from replacing only 1 out of the 5 parts down the road (spring, mount, strut, dust boot, bump stop).

It is like buying the entire wiper blade with arm and the bow instead of just the insert. If the arm is non standard you will be stuck with replacing the arm every time as well, unless you keep your old arm around.

 

[Astro14]

Bad experience with strut inserts (KYB? I think?) many years ago on a volvo 240...could never get them to fit tight...and could never get rid of a clunk in the front end after they were installed. Put a set of new (expensive) Bilsteins on - clunk gone...

Just installed a set (front and rear) of Sachs on the XC...full struts, new mounts, new spring seats, new bump stops, new boots...I don't like re-doing work...

Have a set of new Bilsteins (front and rear) for the T5...new spring seats, new mounts...you get the idea...

 

[zzyzzx]

I removed this strut yesterday. The metal part of the strut mount disintegrated. The rubber part of the strut mount was fine, as were all the other rubber parts except for the dust cover boot thing. The strut itself was shot. Good thing I saved the receipt, I will try to use Monroe's warranty. The car itself was not damaged. I am not sure if I am going to replace the rubber boot, since plenty of people in the internet seem to say it's optional.

 

[BearZDefect]

When I replaced the struts on my 1997 i30 (Aug 96 product) early summer 2009 I replaced the front strut mounts too, with new OEM mounts (no quick strut). The old mounts looked just fine - no rust, all paint intact, and the rubber was in better shape than I expected.

The dust boots for the struts themselves had long disintegrated, and the struts (especially rear) had lost their damping capabilities.

I must note that before Feb 2005 when I bought the car, it had resided in Texas and Florida. Since then it has been exposed to road salt every winter.

My point is that not all strut mounts will disintegrate from rust.