View Poll Results: If you had mushrooming or a cracked strut mount please vote
mushrooming: stock suspension / 15" non-runflat tires
32
3.00%
mushrooming: stock suspension / 16" runflat tires
83
7.79%
mushrooming: stock suspension / 16" non-runflat tires
68
6.38%
mushrooming: stock suspension / 17" runflat tires
346
32.46%
mushrooming: stock suspension / 17" non-runflat tires
214
20.08%
mushrooming: stock suspension / 18" runflat tires
22
2.06%
mushrooming: stock suspension / 18" non-runflat tires
24
2.25%
mushrooming: lowering springs / 15" non-runflat tires
3
0.28%
mushrooming: lowering springs / 16" runflat tires
7
0.66%
mushrooming: lowering springs / 16" non-runflat tires
16
1.50%
mushrooming: lowering springs / 17" runflat tires
31
2.91%
mushrooming: lowering springs / 17" non-runflat tires
58
5.44%
mushrooming: lowering springs / 18" runflat tires
4
0.38%
mushrooming: lowering springs / 18" non-runflat tires
18
1.69%
cracked strut mount: stock suspension / 15" non-runflat tires
24
2.25%
cracked strut mount: stock suspension / 16" runflat tires
34
3.19%
cracked strut mount: stock suspension / 16" non-runflat tires
32
3.00%
cracked strut mount: stock suspension / 17" runflat tires
112
10.51%
cracked strut mount: stock suspension / 17" non-runflat tires
74
6.94%
cracked strut mount: stock suspension / 18" runflat tires
6
0.56%
cracked strut mount: stock suspension / 18" non-runflat tires
14
1.31%
cracked strut mount: lowering springs / 15" non-runflat tires
3
0.28%
cracked strut mount: lowering springs / 16" runflat tires
6
0.56%
cracked strut mount: lowering springs / 16" non-runflat tires
11
1.03%
cracked strut mount: lowering springs / 17" runflat tires
11
1.03%
cracked strut mount: lowering springs / 17" non-runflat tires
25
2.35%
cracked strut mount: lowering springs / 18" runflat tires
5
0.47%
cracked strut mount: lowering springs / 18" non-runflat tires
8
0.75%
Multiple Choice Poll. Voters: 1066. You may not vote on this poll
Poll: Mushrooming/strut mount failure data collection
#551
The poll data is interesting. The combination of run flats and 17" rims jumps out as over-represented in the sample, resulting in the most frequent occurrences of both mushrooming and cracking.
I wish I knew the sales history by rim size for the Mini, as without that as a means to normalize the data it's hard to know whether this combination is simply the most popular, or whether it indicates something meaningful.
It's tempting to observe that the 17" rim is usually wearing a short sidewall (like a /45) and that the run-flats are also very stiff by design. If these factors align to produce high forces at the strut mounting point perhaps that's a credible hypothesis for the data.
Hindsight's a b*tch - this is a great poll, and I wish the OP included year (but hell, analysts ALWAYS want more data).
Cheers,
Charlie
I wish I knew the sales history by rim size for the Mini, as without that as a means to normalize the data it's hard to know whether this combination is simply the most popular, or whether it indicates something meaningful.
It's tempting to observe that the 17" rim is usually wearing a short sidewall (like a /45) and that the run-flats are also very stiff by design. If these factors align to produce high forces at the strut mounting point perhaps that's a credible hypothesis for the data.
Hindsight's a b*tch - this is a great poll, and I wish the OP included year (but hell, analysts ALWAYS want more data).
Cheers,
Charlie
#552
I have to say this had been upsetting for me too. This winter in MN was really bad. I couldnt avoid the potholes all the time. Especially at night and when they are across the entire lane in one spot. No one can avoid potholes that cover the entire lane, when there a car next to you also. Unless I were to take the ditch to avoid them.
I bent 3 rims this winter. Mushroomed the passenger side tower, and bent/cracked the strut mount or rod, or something. Very upset with MN not fixing roads a little better. They still havent fixed everything, so I pray a lot and driver very attentively. I got some 16" wheels and will get winter tires for next winter. might try nonrunflat, but i think the stiff suspension will still be an issue if i hit a bad pothole. No car can really take these potholes with no damage done, unless its a truck maybe.
Personally I think the tower brackets, and the strut brace should just come stock on these cars. The went all out on so many other areas of the car. WHy not just make these parts standard. Cause we would all like it, and not mind paying a little more up front.
Thank god for Insurance. Only cost me $50 deductible for about $2300 in damage this winter. Wow right!!
Other than the pothole, I could handle the winter better than most trucks on the road. Even though I had the stock 17" all season tires. just a little tough in 1ft of snow, in town.
I bent 3 rims this winter. Mushroomed the passenger side tower, and bent/cracked the strut mount or rod, or something. Very upset with MN not fixing roads a little better. They still havent fixed everything, so I pray a lot and driver very attentively. I got some 16" wheels and will get winter tires for next winter. might try nonrunflat, but i think the stiff suspension will still be an issue if i hit a bad pothole. No car can really take these potholes with no damage done, unless its a truck maybe.
Personally I think the tower brackets, and the strut brace should just come stock on these cars. The went all out on so many other areas of the car. WHy not just make these parts standard. Cause we would all like it, and not mind paying a little more up front.
Thank god for Insurance. Only cost me $50 deductible for about $2300 in damage this winter. Wow right!!
Other than the pothole, I could handle the winter better than most trucks on the road. Even though I had the stock 17" all season tires. just a little tough in 1ft of snow, in town.
#554
15 " rims for winter would help,but....
I wish I could put 15" wheels on my MINI. I have a 2010 Mini clubman S, and 16" is the smallest I can go. Since they made the brakes larger on the second generation MINI's. I will be getting snow tires for next winter to put on my 16" wheels that I got recently.
#555
I had a bit of mushrooming on both sides and a cracked passenger side strut mount. When I bought the car it had 64K on it with 17" wheels and runflats. I ditched the runflats immediately after taking it home. Not too long ago I intalled some IE fixed camber plates to cure the strut mount issue, and added some M7 STPs to stop the mushrooming from coming back.
#556
#558
I don't have metal strut tower mushrooming but I am having trouble with the top bearing rubber bushing radial cracks/tears. Factory bushings cracked.
I am using the Ireland Engineering Fixed Camber Plates. I think they attach a BMW Z4 bearing to their fixed camber plate product.
In my case the IE fixed camber plates bearing-bushing had some cracks at 15 months with only 5366 miles. 68 of those miles were on a paved road course circuit, race track. I'm at 27 months and 9873 miles (total of 90 track miles) and they have severe radial cracks or tears. I'm using DOT tires and not run flats.
Anyone else having this issue with IE product besides 'donjulio'?
I just sent details and photographs to Ireland Engineering to see what they recommend.
The first photograph is of the right front strut top bearing-bushing with radial cracks or tears. Second photograph is the left front.
11 October 2011 Update. Jeff, Ireland Engineering, agreed that the condition of these upper strut bearings is abnormal and he is helping me get this corrected. I bought the product from Dustin at AutoXCooper and he has been very supportive as well. A big thanks to Jeff and Dustin.
I am using the Ireland Engineering Fixed Camber Plates. I think they attach a BMW Z4 bearing to their fixed camber plate product.
In my case the IE fixed camber plates bearing-bushing had some cracks at 15 months with only 5366 miles. 68 of those miles were on a paved road course circuit, race track. I'm at 27 months and 9873 miles (total of 90 track miles) and they have severe radial cracks or tears. I'm using DOT tires and not run flats.
Anyone else having this issue with IE product besides 'donjulio'?
I just sent details and photographs to Ireland Engineering to see what they recommend.
The first photograph is of the right front strut top bearing-bushing with radial cracks or tears. Second photograph is the left front.
11 October 2011 Update. Jeff, Ireland Engineering, agreed that the condition of these upper strut bearings is abnormal and he is helping me get this corrected. I bought the product from Dustin at AutoXCooper and he has been very supportive as well. A big thanks to Jeff and Dustin.
Last edited by Cooper_Climax; 10-11-2011 at 06:09 PM. Reason: Update after talking with vendors
#560
If you have the tools (a jack, stands, spring compressors or a reallly big guy to lean on the strut mount while you start the nut, and an impact wrench) you can do these yourself in an hour, easily.
I went this route, and I *love* the way the car handles now. Now I'm waiting on polyurethane control arm bushings to arrive to upgrade those--the originals are toast....
HTH!
C ya,
Dutch
#561
Thanks for the advice, Dutch. Money's not the issue, it's the class-bumping that even the fixed camber plates would do. Unfortunately I'm stuck with OEM replacements. I kept seeing $40/side everywhere and was trying to hunt those down. Realoem.com shows $88 "qty 2" for newer models, but I've got a 02/02, so my guess is that's why I'm seeing $120ish there and that's the cheapest I'm going to find.
#562
same here. did you change it already? i'm having a slight mushrooming in the driver side. would also like to ask, what parts should i get when doing this stuff? eg. new top plates, m7 strut bar, topbearing? tia
#563
Thanks for the advice, Dutch. Money's not the issue, it's the class-bumping that even the fixed camber plates would do. Unfortunately I'm stuck with OEM replacements. I kept seeing $40/side everywhere and was trying to hunt those down. Realoem.com shows $88 "qty 2" for newer models, but I've got a 02/02, so my guess is that's why I'm seeing $120ish there and that's the cheapest I'm going to find.
C ya,
Dutch
#564
Yeah I've done enough racing to know how much I miss the lack of camber my car has Hopefully the rear bar I can run this year in HS will help it rotate better and I won't miss the camber as much!
Looks like Realoem is spot on with their pricing, just more expensive because I have one of the earlier cars.
Looks like Realoem is spot on with their pricing, just more expensive because I have one of the earlier cars.
#565
I've had the M7 plates on top the last 30K so that might have helped.
16" summer non-run flat, stock SS+ suspension 2003 MC (15" winter non-run flats in winter).
#568
Randy
M7 tuning
#570
#572
#573
2nd Gear
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Was filling my washer fluid monday and noticed my passenger side mount was cracked all the way around and pushed up about 3/16" of an inch. As I'm looking at that I notice the passenger side upper motor mount is broken too. Then I inspected the drivers side to find that mount 2/3 of the way cracked around and the strut leaking oil.
I had mushroomed towers at 44k when I bought the car that I hammered back and then put on M7 plates. I just turned 60k and found all this wonderfulness..... The car came with the 17" S-Lite wheels. I'm now running 16" Konig Feathers with 215/40/16 tires.
I ordered adjustable camber plates and Koni yellow shocks along with a new motor mount and powerflex inserts. Fun times ahead this weekend.
I had mushroomed towers at 44k when I bought the car that I hammered back and then put on M7 plates. I just turned 60k and found all this wonderfulness..... The car came with the 17" S-Lite wheels. I'm now running 16" Konig Feathers with 215/40/16 tires.
I ordered adjustable camber plates and Koni yellow shocks along with a new motor mount and powerflex inserts. Fun times ahead this weekend.
#574
Looks like my turn in the barrel. 2003 S, 156k miles. Passenger side fairly significant mushrooming, but otherwise the metal looks sound, bearing rubber cracked all the way around and sticking up just under 1/2 inch. Driver side slightly mushroomed, bearing rubber cracked halfway around but still level otherwise. Hopefully the hammer/2x4 will fix the mushroom enough to get a new top piece in, then budget for plates as soon as possible.
#575
02 MCS w/ 145000 cracked shock mounts and shrooming on the drivers side. This week I'm installing reinforcement plates from MINI Madness and new Sachs OEM grade struts on all four corners. I bought the Boge strut mounts. Then new Sumitomo HTR Zlll tires, my 3rd set. No better tire for the money. After that a trip to an alignment specialist. 3 months ago I replaced the front control arm bushings. Huge improvement.