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Raize
Joined: 18 Sep 2013 Posts: 444 Location: Scotland
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Posted: Tue Nov 25, 2025 1:42 am Post subject: Strut top mount options |
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I am pretty sure one of my strut top bearings has seized as the steering is binding/releasing even with the front raised and it's making a horrible noise and the spring is visibly binding/unbinding as the wheel is turned.
Options:
1. Replace the bearing with another bearing.
2. Replace the bearing with the stainless version of the bearing if it exists.
3. Replace with late 944 style top mounts (not sure if possible)
4. Replace with rose joint top mounts (pretty sure none of these include seals and will be destroyed within months due to UK roads)
Anything I'm missing? Leaning towards #2 even though there will be galvanic problems. |
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924RACR

Joined: 29 Jul 2001 Posts: 9060 Location: Royal Oak, MI, USA
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Posted: Tue Nov 25, 2025 10:28 pm Post subject: |
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Sorry, I'm missing - why not replace the entire mount? Usually the rubber's shot too and wanting replacement by that point. _________________ Vaughan Scott
Webmeister
'79 924 #77 SCCA H Prod racecar
'82 931 Plat. Silver
#25 Hidari Firefly P2 sports prototype |
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Raize
Joined: 18 Sep 2013 Posts: 444 Location: Scotland
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Posted: Wed Nov 26, 2025 1:39 am Post subject: |
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| 924RACR wrote: | | Sorry, I'm missing - why not replace the entire mount? Usually the rubber's shot too and wanting replacement by that point. |
Too expensive they are like £300 a pair. I rebuilt them in 2020 with new rubber and bearing but I guess it was a crap bearing. Will see when I take it apart. |
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924RACR

Joined: 29 Jul 2001 Posts: 9060 Location: Royal Oak, MI, USA
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Posted: Wed Nov 26, 2025 3:34 am Post subject: |
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Ouch. Yeah, that makes sense.
I shouldn't expect stainless is needed - did your selection not have grease seals? _________________ Vaughan Scott
Webmeister
'79 924 #77 SCCA H Prod racecar
'82 931 Plat. Silver
#25 Hidari Firefly P2 sports prototype |
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v2rocket_aka944
Joined: 05 Jan 2009 Posts: 51 Location: Nashville, TN
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Posted: Fri Nov 28, 2025 2:19 am Post subject: |
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HI,
You can use the rubber insert/bearing from a 1980s Volkswagen Fox/Audi 80 in the early 924/944 strut mount housing. They are inexpensive and widely available. You can also use the rubber from a 1970s VW Super Beetle but that rubber is a little softer than the 944 came with.
I have the Fox/80 insert on my car for a few years. I did have to add a 2.5mm or so washer between the top of the "strut sleeve" and the conical washer at the top though to prevent it binding on turns. |
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Joined: 18 Sep 2013 Posts: 444 Location: Scotland
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Posted: Sun Dec 21, 2025 6:28 am Post subject: |
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| 924RACR wrote: | | I shouldn't expect stainless is needed - did your selection not have grease seals? |
I don't think it did. I might not have even greased it to be honest, can't remember. That would explain a lot and I'd probably want to do both sides if that's what I find. Was not as competent back then as now by a long shot. |
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Raize
Joined: 18 Sep 2013 Posts: 444 Location: Scotland
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Posted: Sun Dec 21, 2025 6:28 am Post subject: |
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| v2rocket_aka944 wrote: | HI,
You can use the rubber insert/bearing from a 1980s Volkswagen Fox/Audi 80 in the early 924/944 strut mount housing. They are inexpensive and widely available. You can also use the rubber from a 1970s VW Super Beetle but that rubber is a little softer than the 944 came with.
I have the Fox/80 insert on my car for a few years. I did have to add a 2.5mm or so washer between the top of the "strut sleeve" and the conical washer at the top though to prevent it binding on turns. |
Yeah I have the Audi 80 on one side and the Super Beetle on the other because I assumed they were the same and was in too much of a hurry to sort it out.
The whole thing's a bit of a mess. |
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