Front Strut Tower Mount Rubber

[savvy]

The rubber on the front strut tower mounts are cracked.

Is the rubber replaceable or are new guide mounts required?

Any part number and availability info is appreciated.

Cheers!!

[mcmil]

GUIDE SUPPORT 2 reqd P/N 31332650112 NLA

[savvy]

So, oh wise one....what now?

[mcmil]

Another d*mn good question.

How badly cracked are they? Surface cracks or failed?

Options:

1. Live with it

2. Wait for a set to show up on german Ebay and spend the money.

3. Find someone who has a decent set and spend the money.

4. Swap to 2000 struts?

5. Do a fancy suspension upgrade for $$$.

This is why I only buy 2000's. So much of the early stuff is made of unobtainium.

[NickVyse]

These early mounts look just like 02 mounts except the bearing takes the thicker diamter insert. If I were you I'd get hold of an old 02 mount and see if you can

a/ remove the bearing from underneath by pressing back the tabs holding it in

b/ see if you can find a replacement bearing with the same outside diamter but the larger inside diameter for the NK shock.

c/ test all this nonsense in the old 02 mount before comitting to butchering a pair of new ones.

d/ make several sets and cover your costs!

Good luck,

Nick (who swapped to 2000 struts!)

[savvy]

What does it take to swap 1600 for 2000 struts?

Do they take the same inserts?

Cheers!!

[NickVyse]

What does it take to swap 1600 for 2000 struts?

Do they take the same inserts?

Cheers!!

remove 1600 strut/spring and brake assembly and swap in 2000 strut/spring and brake assembly - easy with a parts car, pricey if you need to purchase new disks, calipers, hubs and bearings.

Inserts are different - early are NLA, 2000 are still available.

[savvy]

What is the purpose of the tower rubber?

How cracked is "must be replace" cracked?

The front end is still whole.

Currently I can not compress the suspension. The only "give" is in the tires.

I have NOS inserts.

What are the chances I can free the existing frozen struts using copius amounts of penetrating oil?

Thanks.

Cheers!!

[mcmil]

Pair of 2000 strut assemblies available in Pennsylvania if interested.

mcmil at prodigy dot net

[NickVyse]

What is the purpose of the tower rubber?

How cracked is "must be replace" cracked?

The front end is still whole.

Currently I can not compress the suspension. The only "give" is in the tires.

I have NOS inserts.

What are the chances I can free the existing frozen struts using copius amounts of penetrating oil?

Thanks.

Cheers!!

If the rubber is only a bit cracked you should be OK for a while. If you've got new inserts to fit then you don't need to free up the old ones? But you'll have fun taking them out if the cap is rusted on.

[savvy]

Here are pics of my tower rubbers:

Please comment.

Thanks

[Mike_B]

IMO, I would not drive with those.

[NickVyse]

replacement time, but it wouldn't stop me driving about

[savvy]

Regarding the swapping of bearings....

Could I remove the 02 bearings from new or used 02 guide mounts and replace with the NK bearings currently on my guide mounts?

Does this sound reasonable?

[NickVyse]

It might be possible, but if your mounts are that old and cracked there's a good chance the bearings are buggered too. Plus they might not fit - you need to get them side by side and see if this is a workable idea.