i went to aoutozone yesterday and they have 95-99 front strut mounts without the bearings for like $55 and the strut mounts with the bearings for like $80. what i am wondering is if i can get away without replacing the mount bearings or should i go ahead and get new bearings. The bearings have never been replaced before so would it be a good idea to just get them?
I know the bearings are supposed to be a common cause of spring noise in the rear, but I haven't heard much about similar problems in front. They probably should be changed at the same time, in any case.
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Geeky wrote:I know the bearings are supposed to be a common cause of spring noise in the rear, but I haven't heard much about similar problems in front. They probably should be changed at the same time, in any case.
there are no 'bearing' plates in the rear as they dont turn. the rear just has a 'strut mount' that the shaft goes through (holds it tight via a large nut on the top of the shaft and the mount holds it secure)
if i were you man i WOULD get the bearing plate mounts for the front, $25.00 aint that much. to check n see if yours are still good, when u take the spring outta the system there are pieces that go together (bearing plates, mount, hard plastic rings etc)... you will notice that theres actually a mount (top portion similar to the rear only different shaped and larger) then a hard plastic ring that sits on the top of the spring-everything in between the hard plastic ring and the mount has to do with the "bearing plate"
there will be a little plastic ring with a tab on it-this goes in first and attaches to the very upper part of the mount, then a steel ring shim, then the bearing plate... its just a little ring the same size as all the others, made from plastic with a metal ring sandwiched in the middle-the bearings reside inside this. if you just sit the bearing plate on top of the steel ring (the same way it cam apart) and if you can rotate the bearing plate on the steel ring (push down while doing this one side is to remain solid while the other is the mover) with little to no effort and hear no odd noises and it feels nice n smooth then its fine and you dont need to replace them. repeat for the other side, i still recomed replacing them anyway though.
hope that helps.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edited Thursday, May 17, 2007 6:56 AM
i have another question, the strut mounts in the rear that hold everything secure, does this need to be replaced when replacing stuts? i was told at a shop when i asked about getting my struts replaced because i had clunking with turns and that that all the strut mounts would have to be replaced at well and its like $100 each for the mounts (CDN$). I understand about the front with the bearings and that maybe it could be worn or the bearings not working right, but why do the rears go? sorry if this has been explained a billion times before...
well, to answer why the rears go, just because its a crap design, its a steel shaft put into a rubber mount (not sure how they do it, my quess is they heat the rubber up and the shaft is just like melted into it... idk though). IMO, they should be changed every 50,000 miles. some last a lot longer than others. i put monroe's in with my new koni yellow/eibach sportline setup and so far they are working flawlessly. other ppl have used the monroe's for many years and not had problems-even with lowering springs.
but to answer your question as to if you should change them... if your hearing "clunking" in the rear, its a safe bet to say that the mounts are shot and in dire need of replacement. so, yes... go ahead and get new ones.
if you want bearings, ill sell you the 2 i have for 20 bucks. there both brand new from gm
Edited 1 time(s). Last edited Friday, May 18, 2007 11:39 AM
