Failed Rear Shock Mounts?

[ZHPasta]

I'm pretty sure these are shot. I have been noticing an occasional thud in the rear the past few days. I haven't pulled the carpet back on the passenger side but here's what the drivers side looks like

It seen different mount and some of the photos I found online are very similar between a supposed failed mount and a good mount (obvious failures suck as shock through the carpet excluded)

Can anyone with specific experience chime in and replacement recommendations if needed? Thanks!

http://i57.tinypic.com/jtou93.jpg

[johnrando]

A shop that did my shocks recommended Meyle RSMs when I replaced mine while doing my shocks. I have no experience with worn RSMs.

[Hermes]

This

http://cdn.nexternal.com/vacmotors/images/VAC-33-CSTRK-E36%20Web2.jpg

http://store.vacmotorsports.com/vac---complete-shock-tower-mount--repair-kit-p2536.aspx

[QC_ZHP]

Ton of options for RSMs. I went w/ Turner but those VAC ones look good as well. The link for them is bad though JP

[WOLFN8TR]

This

http://store.vacmotorsports.com/vac---complete-shock-tower-mount--repair-kit-p2536.aspx

Sweet I need those, thanks!

[NorCalZman]

Learning expereince here. Is the picture showing the middle of the mount pushing through the hole in the car farther than it should? Should the entire rubber piece be even with the bolts on either side?

[Hermes]

Ton of options for RSMs. I went w/ Turner but those VAC ones look good as well. The link for them is bad though JP

Damn, I thought it worked. Just go to VAC's site and look for the shock tower kit

I like the VAC one because the reinforcement plate is bigger than others I've seen

edit: link works for me on both the phone and computer... :dunno

SKU: VAC-33-CSTRK-E36/E46

$74.95


edit2: this is the Turner kit for reference, it is only the plates and not upgraded mounts

http://www.turnermotorsport.com/image/suspension/TSU9975100_rear_suspension_reinforcement.jpg

http://www.turnermotorsport.com/p-3440-e36-e46-rear-shock-tower-mount-reinforcement-kit.aspx


edit3: Rogue also makes a good kit

http://www.rogueengineering.com/mm5/graphics/00000001/suspension/rsm/rsm_full_550.jpg

http://www.rogueengineering.com/rogue/S_BUSH/RSM.html

[ZHPasta]

Learning expereince here. Is the picture showing the middle of the mount pushing through the hole in the car farther than it should? Should the entire rubber piece be even with the bolts on either side?

This is pretty much the same thing I'm unsure about. Can anyone tell from looking solely at the picture?

[ZHPRegistry.net]

You can also order up the Z3 series plate (reinforcement) and the mount from stock convertible models which are very strong.

[LivesNearCostco]

they don't look failed to me. If you put rear end on jack stands, you can raise and lower the control arms while someone watches the suspect RSM to see if it moves around a lot. Or just raise and lower rear end of car with jack (but don't get under the car while doing that). Once car is on jack stands, also check for play in RTABs and big rear diff bushing.

[stephenkirsh]

I always thought a failed mount was the actual metal part of the chassis that the bolts are in.

[LivesNearCostco]

That's a failure of the body sheet metal around the RSMs, typically with the nuts on top pulling through. It's what the reinforcement plates are designed to prevent. So better RSM design fixes mount failure (shock pushing through mount) and reinforcement plate fixes sheet metal failure (mount nuts pulling through).

Note "mount nuts" not to be confused with "mouse nuts."

[ZHPasta]

they don't look failed to me. If you put rear end on jack stands, you can raise and lower the control arms while someone watches the suspect RSM to see if it moves around a lot. Or just raise and lower rear end of car with jack (but don't get under the car while doing that). Once car is on jack stands, also check for play in RTABs and big rear diff bushing.

I'll try this when I get some time, thanks for the input