When a vehicle suspension system is under pressure and drive comfort is being compromised, garages often tend to look at shock or spring replacement as a possible solution. Component specialist febi has also highlighted the key role that the strut top mounting plays in ensuring a smooth ride and reducing road noise.

The suspension strut top mounting is a bonded rubber bush, which is mounted to the top of the damper and fixes it to the vehicle’s chassis. Strut mountings, can also incorporate a bearing or a bearing plate that allows the strut to turn with the steered wheels. The strut mounting acts as a coupling to the spring and shock absorber, connecting it to the body. The damping force is absorbed separately within the mounting, which in turn insulates the vehicle’s body from suspension and road noise.

During the life of this suspension unit, the damper and spring have to expand and contract millions of time and cope with the extra stress of damaged road surfaces. It is common that the shock absorber or the road spring, are replaced because of wear or failure but the strut top mounting is often only replaced as a distressed purchase when the suspension unit is stripped down for repair or only when the driver of the vehicle complains of excess noise. 

The strut top mounting bearing race, often falls apart or seizes, resulting in a creaking or grinding noise from the suspension, this can lead to the bearing tearing the rubber apart in the mounting. The rubber itself can also deteriorate with age, leading to reduced driving comfort due to noise development, resulting in tight steering or excess play in the steering, unstable handling and reduced driving and braking safety.

The strength of a strut top mounting comes from the properties of the elastomeric material used and metal reinforcement within it. This gives it the flexibility and stiffness that is required. Febi develops its strut top mountings to match OE quality and so can restore drive comfort and noise reduction easily when fitted. The mountings use OE grade rubber and follow the precise specifications of the vehicle manufacturer, ensuring optimum performance.

febi offers a comprehensive range of more than 100 strut top mountings, covering over 50,000 applications. It also offers more than 100 different strut top mounting ProKits, which provide all the necessary fitting materials including bearings, to make repairs quick and easy.

Details of the entire range for suspension strut top mountings can be found at partsfinder.bilsteingroup.com