solid rear upper shock mounts

#1

Getting conflicting info of the neccesity of these with our shocks. Got a rust free 1990. Some opinions are towers are weak spot, put em in anyway. And which ones, if needed? What have others done?

#2

cmcintyre wrote:

[quote]Getting conflicting info of the neccesity of these with our shocks. Got a rust free 1990. Some opinions are towers are weak spot, put em in anyway. And which ones, if needed? What have others done?[/quote] the factory mounts are prone to failure. There are several aftermarket solutions available that solve the problem. I have the set from Ireland Engineering. They are well made and include a steel reinforcment plate.The Spec suspension will destroy stock mounts pretty quickly. The other alternative is the E46 mounts.

#3

I have a spherical-bearing ones (also with extra plate) from akgmotorsport. I think that they were $150 but it’s a one-time purchase, they won’t wear out like the rubber ones.

#4

nasaregistrar wrote:

[quote]cmcintyre wrote:

FYI, the Original BMW mounts are classified as a wear item because they are designed to positively impact ride quality (i.e.- soft). So I’m not sure "prone to failure" is the right term (granted, they definitely "fail" when they wear out). This is only important to point out because the rear towers on E30s are notably strong, compared to later Series.

Anwyays, I wanted to also recommend that you consider the "RSMs" from Rogue… I have a set on my '90 (and I run the E46 cabrio units on my '87). I think the Rogue mounts are built super-strong and are very wear-resistant for the price, which is why they’re also worth considering.
http://www.rogueengineering.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=RSM&Category_Code=

#5

Any factory 3 series shock mount is pretty junky. Avoid them.

Rogue, GC, IE, AKG, JTD urethane mounts are all pretty much identical and cheap. This is what most guys are running. Bearing units are the nicest but cost about 70 bucks more. Every few seasons you’ll need 30 bucks in bearings to refresh them but other than that they are no maintenance.

We have several types on our site, with urethane, rubber, and bearing mounts ranging from a functional $39 dollars to $169 for full race.

I think the tearing experienced by some is because the factory mount was left unrepaired for too long. We’ve run clevis mount rear suspensions on E30’s with only minor reinforcements and haven’t had any issues. If the car is in good shape the tearing sheet metal really shouldn’t occur.

#6

robweenerpi wrote:

I disagree.

I agree.

#7

Does anybody have a pic of how to properly install the rsm’s?
Does the reinforce plate go under the tower? That’s what I did with my Z3, but I’m not sure here.
I got the GC racing rsm’s/

#8

there are few pics on the net but can’t find them now. shoot me an email at
koruga AT yahoo DOT com and I’ll send you mine.
The the plate (big washer) goes below the tower, however if you are using stock damper booths/covers (black, hard plastic) you don’t need them since they have integrated washer in them (if you are using bilst. damper booth then you need the big washer).
Regards,
Igor

#9

rob@bimmerworld.com

I have a couple of install PDF’s on my computer somewhere I will send you too.

#10

bmwmount,race_fs.jpg720x650

This is what I have.
The plate I’m refering to is the dark gray. Does that go over or under the tower? It also comes with some sort of paper 'gasket". I guess that goes between the plate an the tower.

#11

BETO wrote:

[quote]

bmwmount,race_fs.jpg720x650

This is what I have.
The plate I’m refering to is the dark gray. Does that go over or under the tower? It also comes with some sort of paper 'gasket". I guess that goes between the plate an the tower.[/quote]

I installed mine with the half circle reinforcement on the top of the strut tower. So it must be right. :wink:

#12

Dark gray RSM housing goes from below, and the semi ellipse bracket from the top. The paper gasket goes in between tower and dark gray housing. What I said in the earlier post about big washer still applies. So:
with damper in your hand:

  1. big washer if you need it (see earlier post)
  2. dark gray housing
  3. paper gasket
  4. Fit that from bottom to the rear tower
  5. put the semi ellipsoid bracket (from top)
  6. put washer on top of damper rod (from top - not sure if these RSM needs it but would think so)
  7. put nut on the damper rod (from top)

HTH,
Igor