Yes, this thread has been out for years. Starbuck was purchased in August 06 and she was a former demo from Mini of Sterling. She had the stock suspension back then with 16" runflats. No problems with mushrooming through Dec.07. In December 07, I had the JCW suspension installed and also installed the M7 STB.

I was out recently and discovered a poorly marked speed bump. (the hard way). I drive 300-400 miles a week, (DC, MD, VA), and I avoid potholes as much as possible.

I discovered a very short tear in the passenger side strut mount rubber today, with about 6-7k miles since the suspension was installed on 12/28/07).

Let's just say that I am less than thrilled. I setup an appt. with MoS and we'll see what happens.

 

get in touch with gnatster to order the parts (20%+ off of retail) and have the parts done at a local shop, if you don't do it yourself. It's an easy swap, so if you're a shade-tree mechanic (or know one) you can save a lot of cash by doing the work yourself.

I've heard of dealers charging anywhere from a little to tons for this work.

Matt

 

Doc,
Thanks for the info. Will I need to take the strut apart? Will I need a spring compressor? I have seen the DIY stuff on NAM, just not sure if I want to risk hurting myself in the process.

 

can I get this straight? are we saying that the top of the strut towers should be totally flat? Obviously there will be lumps that are pressed into the top but the flatish surfaces should be flat? If so then the 3 cars I looked at, including the one I bought, all had the same ever so slight upwards curve to the whole of the top of the tower.

Can I be devils advocate and ask, What difference does a slight mushroom really cause? I have a strange feeling that many minis have this happen, I think the tower just settles in and does its thing and the cars will go on forever and not have any undue effects.
Please note this is coming from a MINI owner who has not even picked up his car yet, I have just read a hundred or so posts and not seen anyone complain about bad handling, tyre wear or other problem caused by this mushrooming of the towers.

Just some thoughts. Peter

 

it lowers the car a bit, and doesn't do much to camber, caster or toe. It does affect corner balance. So it's no big deal unless you want to add a strut tower bar or other gizmo, but it does indicate that the suspension is taking hits. It's also a symptom of a crappy design.

For the work on swapping the strut guide or upper spring perch, it can be done without a spring compressor, but some car to car variations make the strut easier or harder to get out without the spring compressed. Depends on how ballsy you are! I swapped my stock with my coil overs for a rebuild without a spring compressor.

Matt

 

It does throw the alignment off a little, thats not the big deal. The big deal comes if left unchecked and nothing done about it it will throw off the sensors for the steering, suspension and alike componets and you will get a warning light on your dash. By this time it will be too late for the SRP's and the only recourse is to have new towers put in.

I think the thing that ticks people off the most is not that it is doing it, it is that MINI refuses to do anything about it.

 

you drop the strut out of the car, and undo the top nut on the strut. There is some tension left in the spring (compression, really) but not lots. If you loosen it with a air wrench you can just lean into it and it won't kick back much at all. Once the nut is off the top of the strut the strut guide or the top spring perch (Check them both while it's apart. If you've been taking hits big enough to screw up one.....) can be swapped very easily.

Matt

ps, reinstalling is the reverse of the above! (I hate it when I read that in manuals so just couldn't resist doing it here)

 

Okay, now I get the gist, I have been reading this as a non owner and now as a soon to be owner, I will watch with even more interest, Thanks for taking the time to explain. so should the tops of the towers be dead flat or ever so slightly bowed up. I noticed this where the VIN number was stamped, it was ever so slightly curved.

Thanks. Peter

 

It is supposed to be flat. If you order the SRP's from the likes of M7 and take them into the dealer when you go to pick up the car they will install them for you, they will around here in So Cal anyway.

 

Hmmmm, dead flat eh?
I will have to look again when I collect. I thought I had done all of my research and then when looking at the car(s) its hard to picture exactly what I was looking for. I have looked at car structures for years being into classic minis and mustangs but even comparing to other cars I was a bit baffled.

Is there a thread about the parts that are being discussed on this thread (or a website) to try and correct this problem. I see all sorts of names of items but not a thread that might show them or where to get them.

many thanks. Peter

 

Your welcome. Go to http://www.m7tuning.com/home.html for the strut tower renforcement plates.

 

Well, I got lucky. MoS is picking up the bill for the strut mount. Yay! The next time this happens - I am getting camber plates.

I also am having my clutch, flywheel and other fun things being replaced on warranty as well. (Wow... What else could a girl want???? LOL).....: eek:

End result - Starbuck will be returned tomorrow (I hope), so I can take her on the run with DCMM on Sunday.

 

HI Christina
my dealer would not do it, how did you convince them & can i also have a copy of the bill so i can present it to my dealer

danny

 

HI Christina
my dealer would not do it, how did you convince them & can i also have a copy of the bill so i can present it to my dealer

danny

 

I think the key there is that her car used to be a demo for the dealership...

 

I didn't have to do any convincing. However, it's not the first time I have requested that they look at the clutch & flywheel. Every dealer is different.

MoS has had several people with the mushrooming problem, and it's quite prevalent in the DC area. Washington DC roads are like Los Angeles, but not as bad as Boston. (My dad's side of the family is from Boston all the way back to 1630 - so I can say that...)

I don't have my baby until tomorrow, and I haven't seen the paperwork yet either. I'll be more than happy to get it to you via PM like Monday or so.

 

This is what I don't get. Here you have an issue if left uncheck could cause an accident. Everyone knows about it, even the dealers, yet there is no recall, fix or even an admittance of a problem from MINI. Then you have Honda who issues a recall for a wiper motor.

 

THank you, will wait for it or i'll have to pay another $1000 for the mushrooming of the strut mounts

i could not convince my dealer, everything i said was my fault

you can scan it & fax it to my email address
wolverine22_97@yahoo.com

danny unhappy
here is a pic of crack strut mount, & i don't drive fast & aviod potholes

 

and there are BMW 335i owners biatching about fuel pump issues, BMW says no problem, lots report that they have the same issue on the web....

Matt

 

What makes the M7 better or different from the Craven Speed ?

 

How effective is this poll?
seems like it describes the % of ppl using what type of wheels better than telling us what wheels affect mushrooming

 

it sure would be nice to have wheel demographic data

Year, Model, Stock Wheel Size, units sold in US
2004, MCS, 16, DamnedifIknow
2004, MC, 15, DunnoThisOneEither

Anyone have a source for this data? As Don Julio points out, it would make the poll results easier to decypher.

I realize that this data wouldn't provide any adjustment for the frequency with which the owner changes wheel diameters with an aftermarket product, but I reckon it would be a helpful starting point.

 

those that understand statistics point out that the data is interesting at best, worthless at worst.

But it does make a pretty graph!

Matt

 

Anecdotal evidence suggests that larger rims, smaller sidewall and/or run-flat tires, crappy streets, and stiffer suspensions all contribute to mushrooming. Pretty darn useful, eh?! =o>

Zip

 

Is there a walk-through/DIY for replacing a cracked strut mount?