Front top mount, will it last...?
- Thread starter Steve84N
- Start date
I know Corteco only as a brand for oil seals (premium OEM bmw brand), but they are not member of the ZF group (like lemforder).
Personally I'd want the lemforder ones, or maybe a very big discount at least. But no hands on experience with corteco bushings/mounts, just the oil seals.
Personally I'd want the lemforder ones, or maybe a very big discount at least. But no hands on experience with corteco bushings/mounts, just the oil seals.
Steve84N said:
If they are genuine Corteco, I shouldn't imagine you will have any problems. Good stuff IMHO.
Mike
I never use those kind of spring compressors. They work good on the old type linear springs with a lot of coils, but modern shocks have such few windings on the springs (and under such a slope) that I use other style compressors.
I have 3 sets of compressors:
this type (which I'll never use agian):
This type:
I've had this set for a long time, and works for a z4. But it doesnt work for for example my volvo as that has far bigger and larger/longer shocks (also springs with only a few coils so not enough to grab)
And this type:
This one works best, but its a large machine so it takes up a lot of space. Not very expensive though, still under £100, just like the previous one.
The z4 shocks and springs are still pretty small so manageable, but as modern cars get bigger and bigger, the springs get bigger and more awkward in shape.
Downside from the last 2 compressors is that you have to remove the shock to remove the top mount. But imho that might be easier anyway.
I have 3 sets of compressors:
this type (which I'll never use agian):
This type:
I've had this set for a long time, and works for a z4. But it doesnt work for for example my volvo as that has far bigger and larger/longer shocks (also springs with only a few coils so not enough to grab)
And this type:
This one works best, but its a large machine so it takes up a lot of space. Not very expensive though, still under £100, just like the previous one.
The z4 shocks and springs are still pretty small so manageable, but as modern cars get bigger and bigger, the springs get bigger and more awkward in shape.
Downside from the last 2 compressors is that you have to remove the shock to remove the top mount. But imho that might be easier anyway.
If anyone reads this in the future I've now got Lemforder top mounts and to me they are a noticeably better construction. They are the same as OEM with galvanised steel as opposed to black plated steel on the Cortec. More importantly the rubber can be indented by a fingernail on the Corteco but not the Lemforder. Overall shape was similar but not identical.
PS: It did last and it wasn't cracked at the bottom of the mount where the bearing is.
Changing everything out for a B12 kit was a challenge though as I had a number of difficulties. The rear springs didn't just come out so I eventually managed it with a crowbar. Then the front strut pinch bolts didn't budge, so I used a hairdryer to warm it up a bit and they started turning but only with a 0.5m breaker bar! When I eventually got them out after continually worrying about snapping them in situ they were heavily corroded with bloated threads. Stupid design with only one half of the pinch clamp threaded so it just sits in water most of the time. Right at the end when I thought I'd overcome it all I couldn't tighten the front strut top mounts as they are recessed within the top mount. Whilst Bilstein give you a 7mm allen key to stop the rod from turning you can't do that and have a socket over it. I only had a short 22mm and you needed a long thin walled 22mm with a hole in the side for an allen key. In the end my local garage saved me by grinding down one of his sockets as the wall was too thick as standard. Awful design! Ended up working all Friday night and took about 16hrs in all. :|
Changing everything out for a B12 kit was a challenge though as I had a number of difficulties. The rear springs didn't just come out so I eventually managed it with a crowbar. Then the front strut pinch bolts didn't budge, so I used a hairdryer to warm it up a bit and they started turning but only with a 0.5m breaker bar! When I eventually got them out after continually worrying about snapping them in situ they were heavily corroded with bloated threads. Stupid design with only one half of the pinch clamp threaded so it just sits in water most of the time. Right at the end when I thought I'd overcome it all I couldn't tighten the front strut top mounts as they are recessed within the top mount. Whilst Bilstein give you a 7mm allen key to stop the rod from turning you can't do that and have a socket over it. I only had a short 22mm and you needed a long thin walled 22mm with a hole in the side for an allen key. In the end my local garage saved me by grinding down one of his sockets as the wall was too thick as standard. Awful design! Ended up working all Friday night and took about 16hrs in all. :|