Topmounts - Upgrades?

[P3rks 11]

My VAG VR6 topmounts have lasted a mere 3,000 miles. Well one of them has and the other isn't far behind.

 

I know it's a combination of my wafer thin tyres, hard suspension and Sheffiled's quite frankly horrifically pot holed roads.

 

I don't want to be changing them 2-3 times a year.. Are upgrades available?

 

I've found these: http://www.compbrake.com/cars/vw/golf-mk3/vw-golf-mk3-fixed-top-mounts-pair.html

 

Whats everyones thoughts or alternatives?

[KADVR6 0]

i also asked the same question about a month back but never got a single reply, so brand new oe top mounts will be fitted AGAIN this weekend.

[P3rks 11]

i also asked the same question about a month back but never got a single reply, so brand new oe top mounts will be fitted AGAIN this weekend.

 

I know, I just don't want it to come to that..

 

My only concerns about those compbrake ones are that something else will just give.. Such as the strut tops. :brickwall:

[P3rks 11]

Just came across a recommendation for these:

 

http://www.motorsportengineering.co.uk/adjustable%20alloy%20top%20mounts.htm

 

Has anyone actually fitted any sort of uprated top mount?

[davidwort 0]

when you say the mounts have gone again, I'm assuming you mean the bearing and not the rubber, I'd have thought aftermarket mountings may well have stiffer rubber and just increase your problems, can the mk4 bearings and rubbers not be fitted to the VR/mk3 suspension?

[P3rks 11]

I've not checked the bearings..

 

They stick up loads out of the turret, like loads. and they have loads of flex in them too when I put weight on the front end.

 

I was also under the impression that the bearings are the same for the Mk4?

Edited March 28, 2012 by P3rks

[24V Renshaw 0]

I could get some poly ones made..... :)

[P3rks 11]

I could get some poly ones made..... :)

 

Could be a shout. But then the issue will lay with the plastic bearing pooing it's pants.

 

I'm looking at solid topmounts because they should never poo them self and use a big 20mm+ bearing - a rose joint style one. They should last much much longer..

[davidwort 0]

forgive me, but aren't you just trying to fix the symptoms?

if your suspension is too hard, your sidewalls too thin and your top mounts too unforgiving then you are just going to stress something else, I wouldn't be surprised if you suffered problems with wheel bearings or even bodyshell damage.

Fitting 'uprated' or stiffer parts is all well and good for smooth tracks but if your roads are too poor then it would make sense to fit more forgiving springs and dampers if you want to run large diameter wheels.

 

I don't think race style topmounts will last five minutes on rough road surfaces, no matter how big or what type the bearings are.

[Kevin Bacon 5]

As David says, it's not the mount which is the problem, it's the ball race bearing. Poly makes no difference what so ever. In fact it would accelerate bearing wear as there's less 'give' in it. Uprated bearings for the VR6 simply don't exist.

 

If you are getting 3000 miles from OE TMs, then you'll get 1000 miles from those Comp Brake and MED mounts, if that. I have a set of the MED ones. Brilliant they are too as they provide an additional 1.5 deg Positive caster, but the bearings you'll be changing fortnightly. And they're proper expensive SKF ones.

 

Best TMs I've seen to date of that style are KW's clubsport TMs. £160 though. EACH. Plus VAT.

 

Since going back to 15s, my OE TMs are lasting very well. Well over 12K done since fitting the last set and still no play in the ball race.

[24V Renshaw 0]

I must admit I never had a problem with VR type ones.

 

Jay

[Kevin Bacon 5]

I was seeing the same problem as the OP when I ran 17s with AP brakes and what not. The stresses all add up and the bearings take a beating. I've also swapped my daily B road journey to a smooth A road one that's recently been built, which has probably been the biggest factor in extending bearing life along with soggy 15" tyre sidewalls :D

 

Bonrath used to do some uprated VR mounts, but sadly it was only the 'rubber' bit that was uprated, not the bearing itself.

[Yandards 0]

Fit some G60 ones, there are a lot tougher than the 6 cylinder ones.

[Redfox 10]

Yandards: You mean oem G60 ones?

 

Fishwick: Did anyone actually try out the very expensive KW topmounts?

 

Cheers,

Redfox.

[P3rks 11]

Thanks for the responses guys.

 

Pretty much summed up everything. Uprating was a concern as I thought the stresses would just transfer to the next weekest link.

 

I know exactly which pot hole, well series of pot holes killed it. One of those where by the time you realise it's there you're already going over it and you're just a passenger for the ride, and there were 3 of them in a row. :(

 

OE top mounts and bearings it is then.

[Yandards 0]

Redfox, yes, they are stronger than the VR items as they were uprated for the Raylle.

[dannyboy 0]

Strange how the four cylinder ones outlast the six cylinders ones even when on the VR!

[davidwort 0]

I think the G60 ones are unique, not the same as generic passat, corrado 16v/2.0 8v or small engine mk3 items, they're probably obselete too.

[wormy 0]

I think the G60 ones are unique, not the same as generic passat, corrado 16v/2.0 8v or small engine mk3 items, they're probably obselete too.

 

Yes, the G60 ones are unique. Last time I checked (a few months ago) I think the dealer said that they were obsolete from VW Germany, but I might remember wrongly... The aftermarket "OE" G60 ones are crap - the rubber on mine was destroyed / split after not too many weeks of (ab)use. Though the fact that my car is lowered and I'm running the Koni TA's on max setting might contribute quite a bit to that.. Never had any problems with the bearing itself on them though..

[davidwort 0]

Yes, the G60 ones are unique. Last time I checked (a few months ago) I think the dealer said that they were obsolete from VW Germany, but I might remember wrongly... The aftermarket "OE" G60 ones are crap - the rubber on mine was destroyed / split after not too many weeks of (ab)use. Though the fact that my car is lowered and I'm running the Koni TA's on max setting might contribute quite a bit to that.. Never had any problems with the bearing itself on them though..

 

I agree, had 2 sets of aftermarket ones and the rubber went on one set and the bearings have play on both sets (standard springs and shocks too), I think I'm going to get the late spring top plates and change to the later style VR mountings, at least then the bearing and rubber is separate.