rear shock mount strengthening

[gareth]

i've got leda coilovers going on my car and they're fully rose jointed. as such, likely to put a lot of strain on the rear shock mountings which are known to be a weak point.

has anyone re-enforced theirs?

also, is there a rubber / polyurethane rear top mount on the market that will handle a coilover without disinegrating?

[JimmyC]

get rose jointed top mounts, GAZ do them as part of their setup, if you supply standard top mounts

Dave there will do you just top mounts if you give him a buzz

[gareth]

i've got leda coilovers going on my car and they're fully rose jointed

the 'solid' rose joints are going to contribute to the problem! i have them but i suspect the noise and vibration will be uncomfortable at best.

i've found a place in the states called bimmerworld...
these look like a possibility:
http://www.nexternal.com/bimmerworl/Product106

another option:
http://www.nexternal.com/bimmerworl/Product747

http://www.nexternal.com/bimmerworl/Product712

[gareth]

ahaaaa....
http://e30m3performance.com/installs/in ... /index.htm

[JimmyC]

I read it as they were all rose jointed bar the top mounts- doh!

Is it a rad car then? as if its many track use i'd stick what you've got on??

or at least try them its only a 10 minute job to swap them over

[TRACKM3]

i have run the gaz setup on std rear shock towers for 2 years no cracks etc, don't do it just for the sake of it.

[gareth]

cheers for the feedback.

i've got some Z3 reinforcing plates on order at bmw so i'll try them with the rose joujnts i have and see how i get on.

the noise issue is the only thing that concerns me as the car is my daily drive (when working!!!) and our long range holiday wagon . it'll carry the wife and kids on a daily basis. luckily they're all used to a bumpy ride as my wife drives a fairly had-at mini on a daily basis.

[HillclimbE30]

I have been running Leda suspension with the rosejoints at both ends of the rear coilover since 2000.
When I bought the coil overs I sent Leda with a pair of topmounts and they modified then to fit a spherical bearing (rosejoint tm)
On the road they are fine, it is only when the bearing has worn out that you start getting problems with noise and rattles. Then its relatively straight forward to replace the bearing

[gareth]

cheers mate.

the top mounts i have look like modified bmw ones. it looks like they weld a bearing housing into hte original pressed steel plate.

i'm collecting the Z3 plates today so i'll have to see how i get on.

incidentally, how much did replacement bearings from leda cost?

[HillclimbE30]

Sorry do not know how much Leda charge as I got replacement bearings from from a local engineering company for about £5-10 each depending on the brand you want.
All you need are the measurements. Have a look in the DemonTweeks or Raceparts catalogues for bearings

[gareth]

cheers mate.

i'll pop into my local bearing suppliers during the week.

incidentally, i fitted the rear coilovers today with the Z3 stiffening plates and the plates fit perfectly