Front strut top mount

[demig]

Afternoon all. Replaced my front struts the other weekend including the top mount. Just had a look at the top whilst checking brake fluid and saw this. This doesn’t look good to me, looks like this brand new febi mount is failing after one week?
Can someone more knowledgeable than confirm this looks like a total nightmare waiting to happen?


Not happy as this was a real pain to do but made the car so much better.

 

[Eddie Zedder]

Doesn't look promising. Is the orientation correct? The arrow should be facing the rear of the car.

 

[Lee]

Don’t look good that. That’s failed already, ask for a replacement.

 

[demig]

Yep I’m furious! Arrow is indeed pointing back as it should be. 41 miles and it’s failed, I would have been better using the 19 year old ones with 71k on them. I do have to take the wheel off to sort out the abs problem I’ve developed whilst fitting this, possible the sensor but maybe the ring, it’s grief I could do without though. I’ll get a replacement but not the time back.

 

[jonco]

Yep I’m furious! ..............I’ll get a replacement but not the time back.

That is the annoying part when these things happen. Fitted a new expansion tank a few years ago and it immediately leaked due to a flaw in a seam. Had to put old one back in - supplier couldn't understand why I was so annoyed as he was giving me a full refund!!

 

[DrWong]

I put Febi top mounts on about a year/3k miles ago and they haven't done that. Still look fine.

I didn't know about the arrow thing though and neither of mine pointing backwards haha . Should I take them off and point them the right way or just let sleeping dogs lie (i.e. because they may have 'settled' so to speak)?

 

[Lee]

I put Febi top mounts on about a year/3k miles ago and they haven't done that. Still look fine.

I didn't know about the arrow thing though and neither of mine pointing backwards haha . Should I take them off and point them the right way or just let sleeping dogs lie (i.e. because they may have 'settled' so to speak)?

There’s no need to rotate them on the Z3. It’s an E36/46 thing.

 

[t-tony]

The Z4 has a location peg to align the mounting. I always mark a stud so they go back as they come off if re using the mounts.

Tony

ps. It is very annoying when things like this happen but the supplier is just that, he doesn’t make them and won’t likely be compensated by the maker above cost of replacement.

 

[demig]

The Z4 has a location peg to align the mounting. I always mark a stud so they go back as they come off if re using the mounts.

Tony

ps. It is very annoying when things like this happen but the supplier is just that, he doesn’t make them and won’t likely be compensated by the maker above cost of replacement.

Certainly is annoying Tony and indeed not their fault although my contract is with the supplier legally of course. It's all a moot point really as I'm going to have to redo this whatever as it's not going to magically remove itself! In non covid times the job would be a lot easier as I have access to a proper lift but not at the moment sadly. It would have been nice if the supplier had responded to my message about it by asking me if I was sure it was the the right part for the car mind you!

Wheel has to come off anyway as I need to replace the ABS sensor and I was planning on putting poly bushes in so I suppose I just need to crack on and do it! One thing is for certain replacing the suspension has made a massive difference to the car.

 

[Dakar Z3]

Unfortunately the strut top will need to be replaced, no question. For reference Febi do not manufacture the part, they buy it in with a Febi identity and put it in a Febi box. Regarding warranty, the mount will have a manufacturers warranty and if you had it fitted at a garage and have a receipt You can return the part and claim labour if the part is deemed defective and it’s not a fitting fault, if on the other hand you fitted it then the supplying company ‘should’ exchange the part but offer no labour.
Next time go for MEYLE they manufacture themselves in their own facilities, but then I would say that because that is who I work for.

 

[t-tony]

In these times it is difficult to get even a reply to an email. I sent one to Axminster tools asking about availability of parts for a Wetstone grinder, after a week I had no reply so today I sent another email stating it would be nice for them to have the decency to reply.
Later this afternoon i did indeed get a reply and availability and prices and part numbers for the items I want. Why the delay, it cannot take a week to reply to an email, after all this is why people are working from home?

Tony.

 

[demig]

Unfortunately the strut top will need to be replaced, no question. For reference Febi do not manufacture the part, they buy it in with a Febi identity and put it in a Febi box. Regarding warranty, the mount will have a manufacturers warranty and if you had it fitted at a garage and have a receipt You can return the part and claim labour if the part is deemed defective and it’s not a fitting fault, if on the other hand you fitted it then the supplying company ‘should’ exchange the part but offer no labour.
Next time go for MEYLE they manufacture themselves in their own facilities, but then I would say that because that is who I work for.

Of course this was not at a garage that would be just too convenient, no I did this myself so the time is on me and the complaints from the other half when I have to do it again will be interesting! Interesting what you say but I’m not taking the one on the other side out as well, that’s febi as well and I assume they should be matched. Even if not I feel happier that way. It’s bloody annoying but I appreciate the confirmation that it is as knackered as I thought it was. Just going to have to knuckle down and do it.

Tony I’m working from home, takes me an hour at most to get back to a customer, same for my colleagues but we don’t have anyone furloughed which I suppose must be an issue for some places.

 

[t-tony]

Of course this was not at a garage that would be just too convenient, no I did this myself so the time is on me and the complaints from the other half when I have to do it again will be interesting! Interesting what you say but I’m not taking the one on the other side out as well, that’s febi as well and I assume they should be matched. Even if not I feel happier that way. It’s bloody annoying but I appreciate the confirmation that it is as knackered as I thought it was. Just going to have to knuckle down and do it.

Tony I’m working from home, takes me an hour at most to get back to a customer, same for my colleagues but we don’t have anyone furloughed which I suppose must be an issue for some places.

I appreciate that staffing levels are down but I really would expect, even in these days, that an email could be answered inside of a week?
A phone call is a different matter as you are waiting for someone to talk to you one on one but an email is not time dependent.

Tony.

 

[demig]

I appreciate that staffing levels are down but I really would expect, even in these days, that an email could be answered inside of a week?
A phone call is a different matter as you are waiting for someone to talk to you one on one but an email is not time dependent.

Tony.

Yep you’d think so wouldn’t you. I think that the companies which manage to maintain customer service through this are going to be those which ultimately service the recession.

 

[t-tony]

Absolutely, I called Toolstation this afternoon and was met by the message that I was in a queue and it would be at least 13 minutes before I talked to someone, Jesus, it's like trying to get an Apt. at the doc's.

Tony.

 

[2DunnsZ3]

hey guys, been awhile. not going to go into life, but Im back. You have all seen pics of my 97 2.8. It so low in the fron that it has worn through the plastic fender liners. it was lowered when I purchased it and if you hit a hole in the road it feels like there is no suspension. was going to raise it back but one of you fine fellows told me the struts are just shot. can I just replace the struts without removing the spring or does it all have to come out

 

[t-tony]

Total strip down to change the struts, but not difficult if you have spring compressors.

Tony.

 

[gookah]

Next time go for MEYLE they manufacture themselves in their own facilities, but then I would say that because that is who I work for.

Discount discount discount discount discount discount on Meyle parts for Zed's.
no excuses......