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
#1
Poll: Mushrooming/strut mount failure data collection
I have been wondering about a few things that might cause (or contribute to) the strut tower mushrooming - lowered springs vs. 17 and 18 inch wheels (with the corresponding reduced tire sidewall). So, for those of you that have experienced non-catastrophic mushrooming and/or strut mount failure (failure that was not due to things like hitting a pothole; but occurred over time), please post what size wheel and tire (also include whether you had runflat tires) you were running during the period immediately before the mushrooming and/or strut mount failure was noticed. Also, please post whether you have the stock springs or lowering (and presumably progressive rate) springs were installed on the car.
Thanks in advance to all who post.
Summary from posted information:
17 inch wheels + runflat tires (presumably 205/45-17s) + stock suspension:.........1
Thanks in advance to all who post.
Summary from posted information:
17 inch wheels + runflat tires (presumably 205/45-17s) + stock suspension:.........1
#3
As someone who worked on many cars with that issue,
I can tell you from our experience, that it does not matter what size wheel or what springs you are running.
It seems that the problem is due to a combination of things,
1) the factory suspension is way too stiff, and the factory shocks do not absorb the bumps like they are supposed to.
2) There is a problem with the design and the construction of the shock towers themselves.
So here are our suggestions, to prevent this from happening,
1) Change to a better quality shock (I am not going to name any)
2) Install a strut tower bar or reinforcement plates.
Hope this will help
Victor
I can tell you from our experience, that it does not matter what size wheel or what springs you are running.
It seems that the problem is due to a combination of things,
1) the factory suspension is way too stiff, and the factory shocks do not absorb the bumps like they are supposed to.
2) There is a problem with the design and the construction of the shock towers themselves.
So here are our suggestions, to prevent this from happening,
1) Change to a better quality shock (I am not going to name any)
2) Install a strut tower bar or reinforcement plates.
Hope this will help
Victor
Last edited by Mini Works; 09-08-2006 at 02:40 PM.
#4
I just added a poll to this thread to make the data collection easier. There are some additional options in the poll.
If you had both mushrooming and strut mount cracking you may vote for two different options so you can record your configuration for both issues.
If you had both mushrooming and strut mount cracking you may vote for two different options so you can record your configuration for both issues.
Last edited by dave; 09-08-2006 at 02:00 PM.
#5
Originally Posted by Mini Works
As someone who worked on many cars with that issue,
I can tell you from our experience, that it does not matter what size wheel or what springs you are running.
It seems that the problem is due to a combination of things,
1) the factory suspension is way too stiff, and the factory shocks do not absorb the bumps like they are supposed to.
2) There is a problem with the design and the construction of the shock towers themselves.
So here are our suggestions, to prevent this from happening,
1) Change to a better quality shock (I am not going to name any)
2) Install a sway bar or a tower reinforcement plate.
Hope this will help
Victor
I can tell you from our experience, that it does not matter what size wheel or what springs you are running.
It seems that the problem is due to a combination of things,
1) the factory suspension is way too stiff, and the factory shocks do not absorb the bumps like they are supposed to.
2) There is a problem with the design and the construction of the shock towers themselves.
So here are our suggestions, to prevent this from happening,
1) Change to a better quality shock (I am not going to name any)
2) Install a sway bar or a tower reinforcement plate.
Hope this will help
Victor
#6
Originally Posted by Dave
I just added a poll to this thread to make the data collection easier.
If you had both mushrooming and strut mount cracking you may vote for two different options so you can record your configuration for both issues.
If you had both mushrooming and strut mount cracking you may vote for two different options so you can record your configuration for both issues.
The poll feature is an absolute trip! So far, it seems that the ticket to avoiding the mushrooming and/or strut mount failure is to go with 16 or 15 inch wheels and non-runflat tires and the stock suspension.... Wonder if that trend will hold....
#7
Trending Topics
#8
Interesting Comparisons
My '05 MCS with 25,000 miles on it - everything is perfect.
My new GP with 2,500 miles on it - slight upward crease (about 2.5 inches long) in top of driver side strut tower (passenger side perfect).
Go figure. The only thing that comes to mind is that hidden expansion joint in Route 66 during one of the MTTS legs ... "bam" that was a doozy!
My new GP with 2,500 miles on it - slight upward crease (about 2.5 inches long) in top of driver side strut tower (passenger side perfect).
Go figure. The only thing that comes to mind is that hidden expansion joint in Route 66 during one of the MTTS legs ... "bam" that was a doozy!
#9
Originally Posted by Mini Works
As someone who worked on many cars with that issue,
I can tell you from our experience, that it does not matter what size wheel or what springs you are running.
It seems that the problem is due to a combination of things,
1) the factory suspension is way too stiff, and the factory shocks do not absorb the bumps like they are supposed to.
2) There is a problem with the design and the construction of the shock towers themselves.
So here are our suggestions, to prevent this from happening,
1) Change to a better quality shock (I am not going to name any)
2) Install a sway bar or a tower reinforcement plate.
Hope this will help
Victor
I can tell you from our experience, that it does not matter what size wheel or what springs you are running.
It seems that the problem is due to a combination of things,
1) the factory suspension is way too stiff, and the factory shocks do not absorb the bumps like they are supposed to.
2) There is a problem with the design and the construction of the shock towers themselves.
So here are our suggestions, to prevent this from happening,
1) Change to a better quality shock (I am not going to name any)
2) Install a sway bar or a tower reinforcement plate.
Hope this will help
Victor
The idea here is excellent, but you realize that it is somewhat faulted? Probability will be affected by the number of miles driven, type of road, and, the number of respondents as a ratio to the actual number of cars on the road and voter participation. but then, the poll would take three years to complete.
#11
Originally Posted by meb
The idea here is excellent, but you realize that it is somewhat faulted? Probability will be affected by the number of miles driven, type of road, and, the number of respondents as a ratio to the actual number of cars on the road and voter participation. but then, the poll would take three years to complete.
Again, thank you to everyone who participated in the poll.
#12
Originally Posted by GoodFinder
My '05 MCS with 25,000 miles on it - everything is perfect.
My new GP with 2,500 miles on it - slight upward crease (about 2.5 inches long) in top of driver side strut tower (passenger side perfect).
Go figure. The only thing that comes to mind is that hidden expansion joint in Route 66 during one of the MTTS legs ... "bam" that was a doozy!
My new GP with 2,500 miles on it - slight upward crease (about 2.5 inches long) in top of driver side strut tower (passenger side perfect).
Go figure. The only thing that comes to mind is that hidden expansion joint in Route 66 during one of the MTTS legs ... "bam" that was a doozy!
#13
My '05 MCS
Originally Posted by caminifan
How is your '05 MCS equipped? And, I hope you participated in the survey.
https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...ad.php?t=78117
#14
#15
That was one reason I put in a strut brace too
I had hoped the strut brace would help with the mushrooming Towers syndrome...we shall see...mean time it has changed the cornering of the MCS...for the better...for the better! I used the JCW only because I got a great deal on it!
Originally Posted by Mini Works
I was just checking if you guys were paying attention
We meant Strut tower bar,......NO sway bar
Sorry for the typo
Victor
We meant Strut tower bar,......NO sway bar
Sorry for the typo
Victor
#16
My base model Cooper never had mushrooming happen, and the funny thing is, I had 16" wheels with lowering springs. To add to that, I had 45 series tires. I was so sure that I would get a cracked mount/mushroomed strut tower with this combo being that there wasn't a lot of rebound. Now I go and trade the base model in on a Cooper S, and it has mushroomed strut towers. The S has 17" tires with runflats and stock suspension.
#17
#20
#21
Originally Posted by M7
FYI.....
Got a call yesterday from a GP owner who had less then 1300miles on the car
with driverside mushrooming
He wasn't to happy to say the least. And yes he got some SRP's.
Peter
Team M7
562-608-8123
Got a call yesterday from a GP owner who had less then 1300miles on the car
with driverside mushrooming
He wasn't to happy to say the least. And yes he got some SRP's.
Peter
Team M7
562-608-8123
#22
Originally Posted by HEMI-MINI
I thought I read some place that MINI made minor design changes that showed up in the 06's to prevent this from happening? [Emphasis added.]
3k, 17" RF's....no issues
3k, 17" RF's....no issues
#23
Originally Posted by HEMI-MINI
Well MINI did make the suspension on the GP's even more stiffer then your standard MCS and MCS JCW. [Emphasis added.] Too stiff of a suspension will do such things but the driver I believe could be part of the problem. Try to avoid the potholes! These cars were not designed to take potholes very easily like my HEMI powerwagon for instance. If you can't avoid the landmine...pray!
#24
I've been watching discussions like this with interest during the last two weeks.
Hmm, yes, those poll results are less than accurate. Of course very few cars with 18 and 19" rims have these problems. That's because there's a lot less of them out there to begin with.
My MC, with stock suspension and 16" RFs, has slight mushrooming on the right (passenger) side. That's because that side of the car takes all the abuse. The right edge of the road is where all the damage is from run-off and poor drainage. I remember a couple of teeth-rattling hits my car has taken on that side. No wonder there's some mushrooming on that side.
There's a set of M7 tower plates making their way to me as we speak.
Hmm, yes, those poll results are less than accurate. Of course very few cars with 18 and 19" rims have these problems. That's because there's a lot less of them out there to begin with.
My MC, with stock suspension and 16" RFs, has slight mushrooming on the right (passenger) side. That's because that side of the car takes all the abuse. The right edge of the road is where all the damage is from run-off and poor drainage. I remember a couple of teeth-rattling hits my car has taken on that side. No wonder there's some mushrooming on that side.
There's a set of M7 tower plates making their way to me as we speak.
#25
Hey There!
My GP has a slight upward crease about two and a half inches long in the driver side top surface. My MCS (with over 25,000 miles) has totally smooth perfect top surfaces both sides. I know how to drive, I avoid potholes, I've owned many cars over the years and this "mushrooming" is a new one for me. I think what got my GP was a "hidden" expansion joint in the road on Route 66 during MTTS. Yes, I have a set of M7 SRP's coming in, too, putting them on next week after I massage the crease back into submission!