Top Mount Saga continues

[Monkeymagic]

Guys i need to get this sorted. I have been hanging on for some Bambridge top mounts but it seems they will be held up for some time. Ive looked at the 034 street density ones on line $50 dollars seems reasonable but the shipping is the same again and I guess I'll get taxed somewhere by customs. Does anyone know if they are available from UK suppliers?? I need to get the coupe out asap and If needs be Ill be fitting OE but want to save the hassle long term.

[Ruffiano]

I would vote skip on the 034 units. I have had about 4 sets of them, never had a set last more than 5-8k miles

[Monkeymagic]

Its seems there is no alternative to oe mounts then!. Thank you for saving me the expense.

[Rusty]

I removed some 034 voidless ones from the rear of my car, where they've done about 5k miles and are still in excellent condition. Cost me £50, so £25 delivered

I've been giving my new design some testing and have done about 500 miles so far on all sorts of roads and they seem to be doing very well. I do need to try some slightly freer moving bearings at the front but the overall feeling is very positive with a tiny increase in NVH... When I get a chance to get the offset solid subframe mounts in the front, solid ones in the rear, poly wishbone bushes and new balljoints, I'll be able to give feedback on the whole setup The downside though, is potentially £300 a pair The development ones will be £1k for 4 by the time I replace the bearings and get the rear strut brace made properly. Still, it's something that I've wanted to do for years and I'm very pleased with the results for about the same as some imported ones from the US.

[Monkeymagic]

Rusty ill take them and give it a go. Id pay for a set if i can just get rid of the rattle.

[Rusty]

Top mounts are rattling? Had many rattles but never a top mount...

PM sent.

[s2driveruk]

check your ARB rubbers, drop links as they are the usual suspects or even check that the castle nut hasn't loosened and allowed the spring to move about

[Rusty]

Aye, drop links are usually the culprits. Anything that rattles should be fairly obvious come MOT time.

[Monkeymagic]

Its defo top mount.. i assumed you were being sarcastic. Never had a top mount rattle!!

[Error404]

lol. I've never had a top mount that didn't rattle

[Vorsprung durch Technik]

I have read this thread and it's definitely interesting but can any of you guys explain what is wrong with oe ones? How long would you expect oe front top mounts to last?? I have recently bought RS2 blue top mounts as they are supposed to provide better handling and last longer. Your thoughts/advice appreciated please.

[s2driveruk]

Basically a flawed design, green and blues suffer from the same issue, the mount collapses and in essence, you can treat these as a consumable item with little change of getting more than 5-10k miles max from them. Typically they start to deteriorate after only a few months

[andykingfishers2]

Can anyone recommend some top mounts? I am about to change mine, they've been on for about 3 years and have started to knock....

[macspring]

One of the many reasons why, I'm leaning towards the C4 chassis.

Also I can't weld / fabricate, as if I could I'd cut the towers out of my B4 cars and raise them up to lower the car on standard springs and it would allow me to have a better style of top mount.

Sorry mini rant over.

[Vorsprung durch Technik]

Basically a flawed design, green and blues suffer from the same issue, the mount collapses and in essence, you can treat these as a consumable item with little change of getting more than 5-10k miles max from them. Typically they start to deteriorate after only a few months

So when these were new cars and under warranty Audi must have done there nut replacing these top mounts.I just don't remember this problem being an issue back then and I used to buy all the car mags. I well remember the B5 ign coil issues. I have changed these top mounts once before but didn't do many miles in that car after the change as it was a 3 rd car but do remember what a big improvement it made with all new gen Audi suspension parts. How about some clever person on here looking at other sports orientated cars from other manufacturers that have proven top mounts and available for a reasonable price. Mercs were well known for isolating the road surface from sensitive ears and fragile bottoms. Just a thought.