[DerekR]

Has anyone with coilovers on their MINI experienced any problems with the front top mount rubber surround separating from the embedded bearing? It's pretty noticeable as a crack around the top nut when viewed from above.

I figured this would be a better place to post than Faults and Fixes as this forum is likely to be read by more coilover owners!! So please don't move it yet Mr Moderator....!

[benggolf]

DerekR, any chance of your posting a photo of the problem encountered? TIA.

Thinking lowering my MCS, and coilovers is something I am considering.

[DerekR]

Here'a a photo - the crack is evident on both sides and has gotten worse over the last few days. The car is a June '02 build MCS so it has the updated front suspension. Subject to correction I believe there is a 'superseded' part number for the top mount - perhaps suggesting a revised mount from BMW? If you're thinking of coilovers you might want to question the manufacturere as to the top mount or even consider replacing the top mounts with the newer items (if they really are revised!)

[Racer]

Derek following our discussions those top mounts must have changed - mine doesn't look anything like that - I'm assuming centre piece covers the nut but I don't have the part that has split I think this is ALL metal in my case - I'll go and check mine in a minute and let you know

G

[DerekR]

Glen - let me know quickly! I've asked John to make urethane mounts in time for the event next Sunday - if your mounts are different I may not need the urethane mounts. Let me know, please.

D

[jlm]

from what I have seen in my car, a 9/02 build, the mount consists of a steel plate secured to the underside of the tower with three bolts. The center area, about 3" dia and 1-1/4" thick is a vulcanized rubber insert in the center of which is a ball bearing. The ball bearing is bolted to the top of the strut rod. A plastic cap pops in over the bearing & nut. Looks to me like we see in the photo the rubber with a crack, the platic cap, and the hole in the tower.

If the rubber were to fail completely, normal loading would push the strut rod right up into the hood, rather than provide shock dampening; the front of the car would continue to be supported by the springs retained by the tower.

[DerekR]

John - yep, your description corresponds to what my mount looks like. I hope you can still get me the mounts we discussed in time?

[jlm]

yep to you

[DerekR]

Thanks, John! I'll email you the FedEx info etc.

Is it possible to have the diameter of the bearing carrier larger than the hole in the plate - so that should the urethane punch out (heaven forbid!) it can't send the shock through the bonnet?

Or am I teching my gandmother to suck eggs?!?!? You've probably got that covered already.

[jlm]

what I have found is that urethane bonds are not so strong in shear loading (this is how the stock rubber unit is made) What you will get from me is a urethane mount that is primarily loaded in compression, with metal surfaces bonded on both sides to transfer the compression load to the poly. your hood will be safe.

[DerekR]

It's not so much the hood as much as my navigator and me I'm worried about!!! There's a stage in Sunday's rally with a notorious yump - the brave take it flat, and that, in the MCS translates to 70+ MPH! Wouldn't want front suspension failure at that point!

From what I've seen and read here I trust you John - didn't mean to sound like I was second guessing you.

Will email you the FedEx etc stuff when I get into the office later today.

[jlm]

derek: your set will have extra beef.

[DerekR]

John - been trying to email you since Monday morning. Keep getting returned mail saying 'Account over quota'. Guess 'You have Mail' with a vengeance!!

[jlm]

derek:

i've been travelling with limited computer access; be back wednesday... or pm me.

[jlm]

Derek is using his car in very strenuous events; nevertheless, the stiffer shocks in a coilover can apparantly over stress the vulcanized stock upper bearing mount. we made him a custom polyurethane and stainless steel replacement. He finished second in class.