The Macpherson strut is made up of a variety of components to form a compact suspension unit. This is a very popular choice for vehicle manufacturers due to its simplicity and low manufacturing cost.

The main part of this suspension unit is a long, telescopic tube which incorporates a damper. This is usually fitted with a piston protector to keep out road grit and to protect the seals. A coil spring is located between two retaining cups. This is held in place under compression by a retaining nut which is secured to the top of the damper piston.

The unit is rigidly connected to the stub axle or hub assembly. It is pivoted at the top, usually by a top bearing, to accommodate steering movement. The bearing forms part of the strut top mounting assembly which acts as an insulator as well as a fixing point between the suspension unit and the vehicle’s body. (Fig 1)

Functionality of a Strut Top Mounting
The suspension strut top mounting is a bonded rubber bush which is mounted to the top of the damper and fixed to the vehicle’s chassis. This is an integral part of the suspension strut assembly. 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.

In the lateral direction, the mounting is designed to be stiffer. This positively influences the driving dynamics and the steering response. This greatly reduces noise, vibrations, and harshness from the driveline and the suspension, ensuring maximum driver and passenger comfort.

In order to do this, the strut top mounting has to ensure a low-friction and distortion-free movement of the shock absorber spring during steering and deflection. This enables the road spring to operate without a self-aligning torque. The strut mounting also has to locate the shock-absorber spring and form a support surface for full deflection of the shock absorber.

All of this has to be achieved in a compact design that has been optimized for limited mounting space and supplied as a sealed unit. It also needs to be maintenance free.

Strut Top Replacement
During the life of this suspension unit, the damper and spring have to expand and contract millions of times – enduring the stress from the road surfaces. This includes damaged road surfaces which bring extra stress to the unit. (Fig 2).

The strut top mounting bearing often falls apart or seizes which results in a creaking or grinding noise from the suspension. This can lead to the bearing tearing the rubber apart in the mounting (Fig 3). The rubber itself can deteriorate with age, leading to reduced driving comfort due to the development of noise.

This results in tight steering or excess play in the steering, unstable handling, and reduced driving and braking safety. This allows water to infiltrate and provides for unnaturally high wear. The consequence: there is too much play in the joint which leads to the aforementioned noises.

The strength of a strut top mounting comes from the properties of the elastomeric material used and metal reinforcement within it. This provides the flexibility and stiffness that is necessary. Figure 4 shows a sectioned view of febi part 22639 with the bearing included. febi strut top mountings are made from OE grade rubber and follow the precise specifications of the vehicle manufacturer ensuring optimal performance.