Green or blue top mounts?

[Markus]

I get weird spring noises when turning the wheel at standstill and the steering has gradually gotten less firm. I'm now thinking of overhauling my front suspension (top mounts, wishbone bushes and ball joints).

So what is the final verdict on which type of top mounts to use? The blues are said to provide a firmer steering response, but they are also known to squeak and someone also complained about them wearing out sooner than the green ones?

I really want to have a firm response (also thinking of urethane bushes), but I don't want to change the top mounts again in 6 months and I really hate squeaks.

[s2avant]

IMHO the blue top mounts are not as good as some people would suggest. I'm on my second set in a year (I had blues fitted when I just after I bought it) and they are knackered again already (less than 3 months on the car). I've got H&R RS2 spec springs and RS2 dampers and ARB's but don't drive the car hard the majority of the time. I would expect them to last longer than 12 weeks!!! I can't comment on them compared to greens but the steering is nice and precise when they are brand new. It's just a nuisance that they wear out so quickly. I need them changing more often than the oil!

I'm hoping there is someone out there who makes poly top mounts I can use. I know they will be a lot stiffer but I can live with that to keep the steering tight.

Ben

[curlyks2]

For me:
Greens: 3339 miles and shot to bits.
Blues: 3500 miles so far, and still feeling fine.
Ck.

[Beetie]

For me:
Greens: 3339 miles and shot to bits.
Blues: 3500 miles so far, and still feeling fine.
Ck.

Are you sure them milages are precise?! You must have a good memory mate!

[martinjs]

dunno exactly how many miles my blues did but i'd say it was more than 3500 (driven pretty hard), when i fitted the konis i put the front blues onto the back and fitted new ones on the front,

that seems a very high wear rate to me ben, you sure you havent got something else a miss? what did they look like when they were knackered?

martin

[Beetie]

Im keeping an eye on this as i want to upgrade my suspension now ive got the money.....

[s2driveruk]

usually find that the bearing in the mount just separates in either the blue or green. i did have some old blues and greens but i skipped them a month or so ago and never got round to taking some pics - but going on memory the greens are actually a bit thicker and the rubber actually feels harder than on the blues....however neither of them really last long and the 'new' feeling is gone after about 3-4 months in my experience. I did speak to TAS Motorsport a while back about them making an alloy/poly type top mount and they were going to send over a design from an Audi 80 which they had....nothing ever arrived and something else fell off my car which took my attention away from it but it might be worth investigating. Personally i would sacrafice some comfort for sharper handling and more longevity from the tops. Also the TAS mounts had an eccentric bearing to allow for adjustment...

Cheers,

David

[s2avant]

that seems a very high wear rate to me ben, you sure you havent got something else a miss? what did they look like when they were knackered?

martin

I didn't see them when they were changed. The tracking and suspension geometry are all fine AFAIK and everything else is still spot on. Tyre wear is normal etc. I killed a set of wishbone bushes in about 6 months as well, but now I'm using powerflex so that problem has gone.

While I don't drive it hard that often I do a hell of a lot of miles (70 mile a day round trip to and from work minimum) and some of the roads are little more than country lanes. I'm sure this doesn't help with the wear rate but I would like something that lasts a bit longer.

Regularly changing the top mounts doesn't bother me too much but I would prefer to at least reach the next service before they need doing.

Ben

[WabTheKing]

ive made my own with an angular contact bearing and an aluminium top intead of the rubber top just in the process of testing will let everyone no if they are a sucsess may have to go back to a rubber coated bearing as not 100% sure the aluminum will work

[panzerwagen]

I've gone with the Blue ones sold by VAG & they are great...

The Greens I had before didn't last more than 15K on mine. They were completely shot. They were installed new as well as a complete suspension
overhaul. Very pissed about the Greens.

[Martynf]

Ben,

I cannot believe you are killing bushes that fast! I don't think even TOM can manage that?? what are you doing to them? anyhow.... my vote goes to the blues from what I'm told by my customers (Panzer seems to like em too ;-) ), seriously... I say blues. I've had my blue tops in for 13,000 miles so far and they are totally fine!

Martyn

[martinjs]

For everyones information...if the bearing comes out it doesnt mean it is shot, they are only a push fit. One of the bearings could easily be pulled out of one of my brand new mounts i got from the stealer.

martin