Suspension Brakes 1st Gen Most liked posts in thread: Upper Rear strut Mounts

The rear shock shaft is subjected to high side loads because of the trailing arm position. The reason the OEM top washer on the upper strut mount is dished is to allow the shaft to tilt without causing excessive additional load on the shaft neck from resistance to the upper bushing ring. Note the stock upper spring perch (not shown) has rounded edges on the crown, this allows the edge of the perch to roll over the thicker lower bushing to some extent and provide clearance for the chassis mount. The KW upper spring perch has a wide, flat top, which overreaches the stock bushing when new, that's why the bushing was compressed fairly equally across its diameter, yet in the photo below a diagonal compression line can be seen across the side.


If it hasn't already, the upper spring perch will eventually contact the upper mount causing hard contact and additional side-load. Look closely at the strut shaft for signs of seal scuffing along the mid section, and at the spring hat for a shinny spot where the anodizing is worn away.

Poly bushings have less compliance and greater chance to bind before the trailing arm is at the top range of its arc. If the car is lowered, it is already at its tolerance limit. Soft is best for this bushing application. I would rather the OEM soft bushing be sacrificed over time than creating unwanted shock stiction from working against harder polyurethane.

For aftermarket struts with with wide & flat spring hats, the AST rear upper mount is the proper mate currently available.

The shaft sleeve within the mount keeps the nut secure on the shaft and the constant side load takes up slack from the compressed bushing.

 

I had the AST upper mounts on my KW v2's. Vorslag had to change the bushings to fit the KWs. I suggest Swift springs too. The KW springs sag alot as time goes buy. Mine were so bad after 30k I had tires rubbbing with them cranked to the top of threads. The ride is a little less cushy than the stock uppers, but still good for a DD. I have moved on to AST 4100 but still use the AST upper mounts.

 

Yes those are the ones being talked about. Those plates are just as solid as the Vorshlag camber plates.

As far as your squeak. You might to check the torque on the three bolts holding your front trailing arm bushing in place. Once upon a time an alignment guy stripped mine and werent able to 100% torque one of the bolts down. It was the single most annoying squeak that progressively got worse until I was able to correct the thread within the body.

 

Alas as the US continues to print dollars to save us from ourselves; Monopoly money may soon have a higher value on the world market.....

 

Almost exactly 1:1 as of noon 3/8/2012.

Canadian dollar vis-a-vis selected currencies

All thanks to the greed/stupidity of US Bankers and the US Politicians that set them Free.

 

I posted in the other thread......you answered my questions here Might have to do this on my car? I think Powerflex sells these also?

 

that is a handy tidbit of information

 

Did these make any sounds like a squeaking or was it just the lowered ride hight you were seeing?

 

Just replaced the springs on mine but didn't notice those being so deformed. That said this has got me thinking about the powerflex rear upper strut bushing option; has anyone used these?

Thanks for the heads up!

 

No kidding; double charged? The powerflex retails for $69.95/pair.....

 

I would have thought with that much compression of the stock bushing it would have raised the retaining nut on the shock. Seems like you should have heard a "clanking" sound made by the threaded part of the damper shaft moving in the mount??

 

They wouldn't compress as much as the stock foamish ones.....

Wonder how they ride? Might have to order some!

 

K-Huevo,

I have the PowerFlex mounts from WMW on my shelf now and have not put them in yet. It looks like from your post I shouldn't.

I have a squeak in my right rear and I almost 100 % sure it is a rear upper rear bushings. I have already replaced all the other parts. (Endlinks / Anti Swaybar bushings)

Where would / could someone purchase the correct "AST rear upper mount" that would work with the KW v'2?

Do you sell them?
Part Number / Price?

Are these the ones you are talking about? http://www.vorshlag.com/product_info.php?products_id=481