I just took my 2009 clubman into dealer for oil change. it was $70 with coupon so it wasn't that baddde00. they quoted me $1200 to fix the cracked strut mounts and get an alignment. I see I can get value line mounts for $42 each. How hard is this to do? Any special tools? I know you need spring compressors, which I can rent.

 

I believe you could find a Indy, or DYI, for a whole lot less. There are video's all over you tube on how to do this. If you do decide to do this yourself, DON'T use the cheap Monroe shock mounts you'll find on EBAY. If you do use the cheap ones, you will have to do it again, because the front end will start to squeak like fingernails on a blackboard. Use OEM parts they don't really cost all that much more. While your at it you might as well install a set of shock defenders, so you won't have to do this again
Foo

 

Get a Lemforder mount (about $40 vs. $100 for the genuine MINI part which is made
by Lemforder - same part except for some of the markings). Some other aftermarket
brands don't hold up as well. You need a spring compressor, sockets for the pinch bolt
at the bottom of the strut and the top strut mounts, and a 21 mm socket that you can
fit an allen wrench into to hold the strut shaft while removing the top nut on the shaft.
A 13/16 spark plug wrench is one possibility, here's another:

http://www.ecstuning.com/Search/Site...cket/ES198390/

 

Two years ago I had a strut mount replaced by a BMW/MINI independent. The part was $92.43 and labor for 1.5 hours was $126.00. Walk away from the dealer and find a good independent!!
Also, order a set of tower defenders from someone like Way:
http://www.waymotorworks.com/m7-r56-...nt-plates.html
Then follow the instructions in this video to strighten out the towers and you're good to go:
PS: The torque on the tower bolts is 25#

 

We avoid the aftermarket mounts--they break or stretch too easily. The factory ones are around $90 and we charge $95 per side.

 

Lemforder OEM supplier strut mounts here are $25. DIY is very simple and will save yourself a lot of money.

-Luccia

 

As a vendor I'd love to sell you some of our strut mounts, but looking at those pics I can't say I'd try to sell them to you if you came in my shop.
Yes you show some very slight mushrooming, but just some strut tower defenders could straighten that and you can go on with your day maybe do an alignment if you want to make sure it's right.

Hope that helps.

Craven R56 strut tower defenders
http://www.waymotorworks.com/strut-t...5-r56-r57.html


Strut mounts
http://www.waymotorworks.com/front-u...7-r58-r59.html

 

Stick with OEM on the mounts and bearings - too critical a part, and too much of a PITA to replace if they do go bad.

 

Will the strut defenders actually straighten out the tower? Is there a installation document for these I can look at? Thanks.

 

No, they won't straighten them but they'll keep them from getting crooked again. Watch the video I posted earlier. The guy shows how to use a 2 X 4 and a hammer then all you do is remove the nuts, mount the plate and replace the nuts, 25# torque.

 

I didn't see him hammer it straight in that video.

 

Woops! My bad, I've got another video, same problem - additional solutions.


He spends way too much time yacking but he does demonstrate de-mushrooming the towers at about the 2:30 or 2:40 area. Hope this is better help. Mushroomed strut towers wreack all kinds of havoc with the front end alignment and tire wear.