Top Mount installations compared

[s2_wot]

Ok folks I know there are a million threads on here about top mounts but here is my experience:

I previously purchased 4 off 034 Motorsport street density top mounts as per this link:

http://www.034motorsport.com/chassis-components-audi-40008090urq-strut-mount-early-audi-density-line-p-987.html

And a quote from that page:

"Mounts will fit front and rear in most early Audi including UrQuattro, 4000/Coupe GT, B3 and B4 80/90/Coupe Quattro, S2, RS2 and others."

In Jamo's project thread he stated that the 034 items don't fit so I was keen to investigate. Thanks for alerting me to this Jamo.

I also had the original 2 top mounts that were used on the rear and the 2 aftermarket replacements that had been installed in the front of the car.

The 034 top mount top and bottom:





Note the rubber covering the metal in the centre of the photo above compared to the others below. You have to compress this uneven rubber when you make the clamp group at the top of the shock.

Also this is a piece of metal swarf that lodged in my finger when I spun the bearing:



The aftermarket item that was fitted to the front of the car. The bearing is nice and free and the mounting surfaces have a clean edge to them. If anybody knows the make please feel free to contribute:





The OEM Top Mount. p/n 8A0 412 323 D. A quick google search reveals that the part number on this item 8A0 412 355 A is the part for the top mount without bearing.





A short video I took to display what is wrong with the 034 item and the other after market item compared to the OEM item.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kc_Pq3vUcr4

To conclude for various reasons I wouldn't put that 034 part on a wheelbarrow. Even if it fitted correctly, it has 2 other obvious flaws.

Comments on the above? Would anybody like 4 x street density 034 mounts at a massively discounted price?

[andy10v]

That does not look good if they will slop about.

Am I being daft or are you putting the mounts in upside down in the video?

[s2_wot]

i could well have done, need to go outside to check now

[andy10v]

Should be big rubber bit on the body and bearing on the shock.

[johne]

My own experience with 034 mounts is simply this:

I fitted 034 street density top mounts all round to my ABY coupe on standard springs and shocks. They fitted fine (I used the 034 metal cups supplied with them as well), they work well and so far have lasted better than the 3 sets of OEM green and blue ones I've gone through in the past.

John

[s2_wot]

Should be big rubber bit on the body and bearing on the shock.

Mistake noted, I just checked them again, the fit is the same as shown in the video.

My own experience with 034 mounts is simply this:

I fitted 034 street density top mounts all round to my ABY coupe on standard springs and shocks. They fitted fine (I used the 034 metal cups supplied with them as well), they work well and so far have lasted better than the 3 sets of OEM green and blue ones I've gone through in the past.

John

I wonder has something changed? They're several mm from a being a tight fit. Is it desirable to have a marginally loose fit?

[andy10v]

My own experience with 034 mounts is simply this:

I fitted 034 street density top mounts all round to my ABY coupe on standard springs and shocks. They fitted fine (I used the 034 metal cups supplied with them as well), they work well and so far have lasted better than the 3 sets of OEM green and blue ones I've gone through in the past.

John

If they are the same as the ones in the video whilst the might not collapse they would appear to have the potential to move about.

[driftin jo]

Yes, you have them upside down , that said they are not very good anyway in my experience.

[s2_wot]

Yes, you have them upside down , that said they are not very good anyway in my experience.

What have you on your car? And are they the right way up?

[Sonic]

I've just ditched my 034 mounts.

[Tap Towers]

Yep, upside down, bearing to bottom (shock) and rubber to top.




Saying that, no idea what the quality of the 034's are like.

[s2driveruk]

my nearside front 034 street density mount was absolutely knackered within 6months and about 3k miles. The lateral movement in the cup on the body where the mount locates into was shocking. I'll dig the photos I took of it. The ruber had lterally worn away over time on the inside lip of the rubber cup?!?!?!

[driftin jo]

You can't say I didn't warn you !

http://www.s2forum.com/forum/showthread.php?t=37238

[Jamo]

The quality of 034 items......... i've been bitten with about 4-5 of their products and certainly I think the only item I've bought from them I have been happy with was my ARP head and mains set.

Yes driftin Jo I bought the item prior to your post and in honesty had not seen that thread!

I've got some Meyle HD items to go on hopefully this weekend if I can get to Bahnstorm!

Oh that video has the mounts installed upside down!!!!

The rubber should be at the top

[johne]

@ driftin jo, did you ever get any feedback from 034?

John