Strut Mushrooming

[GetAwayFromU]

I recently discovered that my '06 Mini has fallen to the dreaded Strut mount mushrooming and was wondering if anyone was able to get Mini to warranty this? Recently? My dealer (Patrick Mini) said that Mini used to accept this fix under warranty, but stopped so they weren't going to try and I would have to pay for it all out of my own pocket.


From what I can see it seems to happen frequently to 17" run flat owners.

[obehave]

Yes some people have. It depends on your dealer. Any other one close to you you can check with?

If not there's always the pound it out and buy strut plates method.

[M1OY CS]

could someone show me a picture of a mushroomed strut mount please. Ive been wondering what this looks like for so long now!

[PmP]

I would also like to see this...

[Fabio]

what is strut mushrooming??

[k-huevo]

What mushrooms is the strut tower; notice the bulge instead of a flat surface.



Usually it is accompanied by a torn guide support bushing.



At the least the guide support will be deformed if not torn and must be replaced.

The simple fix for the support is to place a piece of wood on the area and strike with a hammer until all is flat again.



Of course the strut must be removed before performing this procedure.

In the U.S. we have an acharic system of choosing the lowest bidder for road building contracts ensuring the poorest materials and workmanship possible.

[MINI Papa]

I know the feeling our 06
PW\B JCW is in the shop now having its towers fixed. We sustained no more damage and don't really know when it happened. It was not covered under warrenty. But the repair isn't too expensive. New alignment also required.

[PmP]

Quote: Originally Posted by k-huevo (original)

In the U.S. we have an acharic system of choosing the lowest bidder for road building contracts ensuring the poorest materials and workmanship possible.

You should come to County Down Northern Ireland mate, then you'd know about bad roads!

[MINI Papa]

Sounds like the roads in south Lousiana we travel to see our son and grandchildren. I plan to use the wifes MCS JCW and let the GP stay home.

[M1OY CS]

just checked mine no damage thank god! Thought there would be considering the roads here!

[Ferroequine]

Quote: Originally Posted by k-huevo (original)

What mushrooms is the strut tower; notice the bulge instead of a flat surface.

Sorry for the apparently dumb question, but what exactly am I looking for here? Or could someone post a picture of what a regular strut mount should look like? My car is at the body shop getting a door resprayed at the moment, so I can't go and take a peek right now.

[k-huevo]

Here is a thread with some comparison pictures and a good look at a damaged guide support MINI COOPER :: North American Motoring - Shock tower mushrooming
On the vehicle I worked on in this thread’s photos, both towers were deformed and both guide support bushings were torn; in the thread above only one side was damaged.

The picture below is a fixed camber plate made by Ireland Engineering. Notice the much thicker steel mount plate which may help prevent strut tower deformation; as a bonus you get curve hugging negative camber up front and longer studs for those with tower braces.

[roland2003]

Hi Guys, not very pretty and no (very important ) radius machined with a CRC cutter around the outer profile,but at least its in the right place ie UNDER the bodywork not a plate clamped on top. Its important for the plate to reach out as far as possible too,so that the load is spread and put into the chassis right in the (strong )corners.
I can feel a new GTT product coming on ..........................
Best Regards Roland GTT

[k-huevo]

At a distance these plates look like they could benefit from filing of the outer edge; a closer look reveals the edge is not sharp as it appears to be. It would still be prudent to round the top outer edge.

The available flat space on the tower top as seen from below mimics the camber plate shape very well. There is some subtle surface angles that are not readily apparent when observed from above. One must keep in mind the Ireland Fixed Camber Plates were designed as a budget minded approach to attaining more negative camber and to that end it serves its purpose well.

Below is a comparison with the two versions of the stock guide support and the Ireland Engineering plates. The older stock version on the right is more prone to bushing tears, the latest stock version in the middle is more robust but still foible, the fixed camber plate on the left has a compliant yet durable bushing. After the bushing has settled in, there is no difference in ride height resulting from the thicker plate.



It would take more reinforcement than just a thicker mounting plate to eliminate the likelihood of tower deformation. A force strong enough to bulge the tower could possibly rupture a seam weld if it had no where else to transfer energy.

[roland2003]

Yes I agree,I think you need to retain a reasonable degree of compliance in the top mount .
Theyse plates look quite wide too.(good)
Best Regards Roland GTT