Should my Top Mount look like this?

[Bowlerwell]

Should the upper section of my top mount stand proud like this?
Is this a sign I need to replace?

[Rusty]

Yes, to a certain extent, although that gap will increase if it has collapsed... That cup is purtely there to stop the strut falling out when completely unloaded, for example, when on a ramp or over a jump

[s2driveruk]

....or into Pflantzgarten Looks pretty normal to me

[Bowlerwell]

Thanks folks.

[andy10v]

I would replace that.

For reference, freshly installed;



Your gap seems on the big side

[Colesy]

Doesn't the gap change depending on which way the steering is pointing? Worth looking at first, the gap looks about the same as mine.

[VAP]

In looking at the original poster's strut mounts I'm of the mind-set that while they're getting "up there" in useful mileage there's no crucial or immediate need for replacement... still some life remaining tho they do dictate keeping a close eye on. Any single big bump or pothole could wipe either/both out altogether. Perhaps a better question that poster could have asked is; "Could I or my car benefit from new strut mounts?" And the answer is "yes, absolutely!" However, economics being what they are today I can completely understand not replacing parts that still have 15-25% of their useful life remaining. Sadly due to the OEM design most anyone with 5k-6k miles on their OEM strut mounts could benefit positively from new strut mounts. Don't shoot me, I'm just the messenger. And if you opt for cheap, generic, Chinese knock-off strut mounts the prognosis is much much worse.

The thing to bear in mind when comparing strut-mount clearances between the underside of the "cupped washers" and the top-side of the strut tower is that firstly they are not flat, uniform or equi-distant around the circumference of the cupped washers so measurement is difficult and unprecise. But as long as the full diameter "floor" of the strut-mount is still below the underside of the strut tower bore there's at least some measure of life remaining tho I'll readily admit that same original poster could absolutely benefit appreciably from new strut-mounts today!

In all cases what you want to avoid having strut mounts look like the set in my below pictures. This strut mount has completely collapsed. Its floor beneath the "cupped" washer is stacked solidly against the underside of the strut tower (shown with & without "cupped" washer in place). It no longers functions as a strut mount but still acts as an insulated fail-safe device preventing them from being blow thru the top of the strut tower bores. I always advise people to remove their cupped washers and inspect. If they have a gap of +/- .125" (1/8") or less between the strut mount floor and the underside of the strut tower its time to replace them immediately. If they have more of a gap than that (as in original pic above) keep driving but keep a close eye on things. If they look like my pics below they need new strut mounts YESTERDAY!!

Now since the advent of Mount-Savers, Pro-Mounts and 034's density series strut mounts a few years later, things have changed with regard to the above-mentioned measurements. Those offerings have dramatically less strut-tower-to-cupped-washer-underside-gap than OEM mounts when new. They also will have less gap thru-out their useful or service life simply due to the Mount-Savers in Pro-Mounts and the raised rubber floor vulcnized into the density series strut mounts from 034. Theoretically either of those mounts could still catastrophically fail with no significant increase in the gap between strut tower top and cupped washer underside. But your ears will tell you when that's happened as its not very subtle audibly after its occured.