[LEXiiON]

Hello All,

i installed my front Koni STR.T struts 3 weeks ago, together with some new GT500 strut mounts. I was running the Vogtland springs a couple of weeks with the stock shocks and mounts (still in the rear, but the rear shocks are on their way to me ) and wondered shortly after the install, why my front end is making a thunking noise with rapid compression. I was swapping swaybar links, checking all bolts and nuts, didn't help.
Today i noticed that the passenger side was a little bit louder than the drivers side. So i though, ok, either a dead strut (DOA) or something with the strut mount. Ok. Again, taking that Strut apart and guess what. The GT500 strut mount is loose and rattling while shaking with your hand (the stock one is silence). So i ended up putting my stock mount back in, the result was: Silence (at least from the passenger side - now the drivers side is louder)...So i guess i have to kick them out on the drivers side, too.
Interestingly, the stock mounts and the GT500 mounts (new, from CJpony) have EXACTLY !!!! the same numbers printed on the bottom. And with that i mean all numbers match!

So i guess i have two choices now. Either put the stockers back into the drivers side, or go out an buy some J&M camber plates. Grrr, either way i have to take it apart, again...

At least i confirmed that i am not paranoid with the noises in the car ....
Some frustrated LEXiiON

 

[amustangrocks]

not too happy to hear that as i have a set of ford racing mounts from cj`s on the way right now. i use the gt takeoff struts and shocks on my V6. the last time i bought the oem mounts from fords, $30 ea. and they were crap at 30k. oh well, hope these frpp`s last me a little while.
on a side note, i saw the same frpp mounts from blueoval indus. on ebay for $115 ( $80 from cj on sale right now)

 

[hotshot]

mine have been working well for about 10k miles right now, maybe you just got a lemon

 

[BKid]

That is why I went with billet adjustable camber plates.

 

[Muckerpuck]

I have not had to deal with installing them on my car yet, but on my last gm car if you did not get the spring properly seated on the mount they would go bad in a short period of time. Just somthing you might want to check.

Question ? On the stang mounts is just a basic circle bearing plastic covered. That the style that was on my pontiac. And I never liked the design a bit.

 

[LEXiiON]

I just went ahead and ordered a set of J&M camber plates from AM. To recoup some of the spend money, i guess i am going to sell a set of 2010 upper strut spring rubber inlets to the 2011 folks as i have 2 sets and only need one...

Will update you guys once i installed my rear struts and the J&M's to give my opinion of that setup.

Done with GT500 mounts. Forever....
Not to mention that the bolts and nuts cost $60, too.

LEXiiON

 

[hubkap]

Question ? On the stang mounts is just a basic circle bearing plastic covered.

The stang mounts are plastic, two-piece (upper and lower) with ball bearings all around a circle race in between the two pieces. The top part (strut bearing cap) can easily work itself loose during installation, during shipping, who knows, dislodging some of the ball bearings from the race.

Easy to fix when that happens though if you check or suspect before installation...just pry apart the two pieces, re-grease any loose ball bearings, and put back into the empty holes of the race. Then snap the top half back onto the bottom.

Not saying that's what was wrong with the OP's mount, but coulda been...

 

[JayP]

Was there a revision on the GT500 mounts? I saw 2 or 3 part numbers for them when I was shopping last winter. Older ones were $60, newer were $90 or so... and I had to wait on the new ones.

Wonder if you got an old rev...

I shoulda got he camber plates too- to save the hassle.

 

[LEXiiON]

Yep they where on backorder. I ordered the new ones 18183-C. Interestingly they have the same P/N as the stockers on the bottom (18183-A). However, they both failed within a week, which is not really funny. I would assumed that with only one failing, it would be a lemon or as described above, but both? And yes, they were installed correctly, seated properly and so on...
Whatever. I am just upset with myself, when those mounts were on backorder i was already thinking of J&M's... would i just have done it...grrrr
As we say in Germany: If you buy cheap, you buy twice. How true...

LEXiiON

 

[allinon72]

My GT500 mounts failed on me after about 6k miles. They are really no different than the stock mounts...exact same bearing design that makes no sense. I think the only difference is the rubber isolator is different.

However, I will warn you that the J&M mounts will make the same kinds of noises. I just put them in and I get quite a bit of thunking going over bumps at low speeds.

 

[LEXiiON]

However, I will warn you that the J&M mounts will make the same kinds of noises. I just put them in and I get quite a bit of thunking going over bumps at low speeds.

Gee ....:scratchchin Doesn't sound too promising ...
Anyone else having the same experience with the J&M's?

LEXiiON