Upper strut mount replacement quandry...

[Mike Self]

Dismantled my 73's struts this afternoon--noticed some very small cracks in the mounts' rubber housing. Actually didn't notice the cracks 'till I was cleaning 'em up. They're original with 208k. Bearings are fine; they turn nice and smooth, no visible rust, just these little cracks.

Replace just on general principles and age, or are they OK? Kinda hate to do this job again, so I'm leaning towards replacing 'em...whadda ya think?

mike

[jerry]

you got your money's worth out of them. what you are seeing first hand is the durability of bearings when treated properly. age, heat and ozone are killers on rubber though.

i reinstalled a used set of strut bearings on my current project, but the rubber was intact.

[napa02]

They are done! replace em' and be worry free for the next 208k.

[Chris_B]

Mike, the old rubber becomes hard over time. I dunno what this does to handling, but it certainly increases NVH transmitted into the body. Given that the strut bearings are relatively inexpensive, this is one of those "do it while you are in there" kind of jobs.

[c.d.iesel]

do not re-install the original ruber mounts - Old or New !

The improvement in steering turn in and feel, with no loss of

ride comfort is incredible from the K-Mac upper strut mounts. I have

tested back to back with NEW BMW rubber and the K-Mac and

it's day and night! AND you'll be able to adjust the camber AND caster

which you can't with the rubber mts. It's the best improvement in your

steering you can make - next to correctly adjusting your steering

gearbox and filling it with HYPOID 90 Gear Oil - and not synthetic.

Have fun and work safe.

[Delia]

Mike,

Had my '73 tii struts apart and replaced strut bearings two years ago. They were cracked and looking as if they'd "let go" and pop through the hood.

Julius spent much of his life in the south and southwest so he has little rust, but the rubber bits dried out a little bit sooner than back in the midwest.

Given the choice, I prefer crumbly rubber bits to iron oxidation...

Don't pinch your fingers!

Delia

[2761377]

mike-

just did this myself. comparing old and new, i noticed the old had collapsed in height. set on a flat surface, the old measured 1/8th inch to the mount plate. the new measured 1/4".

either this or another quality of the new mounts improved the steering effort tremendously. while you're in there, put in new rubber spring perches- you need four; they should be around $5 each at the dealer. don't forget your cca discount when buying at the dealer.

in my newly formed opinion, any suspect strut mounts should be replaced when new struts are installed. i wish i had when i put in the h&r's and bilsteins.

hth,

robert

[Mike Self]

replace 'em. Compared to the bearings on my '69, these on the '73 are practically perfect. I'll have to post pix of the 69's bearings when I get 'em off the car...they are REALLY bad, but have been about the same for many years and haven't let go yet!

So...looks like I order four of the little buggers!

cheers and thanks again

mike