Suspension top mounts -,what bits will I need?

An impulse purchase of lowering springs has opened up the usual 'while I'm at it jobs' can of worms! Having swapped springs on other cars before I know the top mounts are usually knackered but I'm not sure what bits I'll need and want to get them beforehand so I don't have any lost time when I take the old ones off. I've found the Sachs front top mounts for £41.50 which seems very good but I'm hoping I don't need the mounting overhaul kit for £137.89 plus vat each side and they don't seem to include the bearing? https://www.cartech-one.co.uk/en/product/69995-2x-top-mount/v-16460 http://www.design911.co.uk/fu/pt385...2-3-6L-09-01-2005/Shock-Absorber-Parts-Front/ Any advice appreciated I'll also be removing the wheel arch liners for a good clean and inspection so feel free to suggest more jobs to do while I'm at it. Simon

I cheated by having a top mount replaced by someone else (Centre Gravity). One thing they also did is quickly strip, clean and regrease the top mount bearing. You could always buy new ones if you wanted to - but it seemed very straightforward when they did this.

Thanks that sounds promising, do you know what new top mounts they used?

They used a Porsche OEM top mount. Rather pricey!

Just done this and advice from OPC was the actual top mount housing very rarely needs replacing...its the bearing, rubber, metal plates and washers that that need changing. http://www.design911.co.uk/fu/prod71137/Shock-Absorber-Mounting-Overhaul-Kit-FRONT-Porsche-996-C2/ I know its pricey but when I took my old one off I could see why they recommend replacing it all. The bearing element just fell apart in my hands...rubber didn't look too bad and nor did the washers.

I need to do this on my turbo real soon and have been quoted circa £1200 to supply and fit new OEM top mounts and also do a wheel align after. Just out of interest, can anyone recommend alternative after market mounts that are just as good (if not better) than OEM but maybe a little cheaper :lol:

The C4, C4S and turbo all share the same top mounts -I have a C4. I was quoted £1625 by OPC Exeter to replace mine at my last service. I sourced them via https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Porsche-...en:996&hash=item4d64c160af:g:0hUAAOSwKUNZ1qfa I rang them up and it turns out that Spider Performance is owned by Eporsche who are a well respected Porsche specialist. Dean, one of the directors there, assured me that thee were good quality and did me a deal over the phone - £320 including the Porsche bump stops (as mine were knackered and OPC Exeter quoted me £520!) I also rang Williams Crawford in Plymouth and they quoted £1200 including the Hamburg top mounts and bearings and again said they were good. In the end I got my local classic car garage to fit them for £360. Just need to have an alignment done now. Both ECP and Carparts4less also stock them at a similar price when on deal.

Thanks, i'll hold off on the top mounts then, hopefully they'll be ok. That kit seems very expensive, i'll see if I can find just the bearing some where.

Many thanks - that's very helpful indeed :thumbs:

I used the VM top mounts sold by ECP on my turbo. No problems thus far and all the creaking noises that we're there before are gone.

Apparently "VM" means vehicle manufacturer - I only found this out last week. Did they have a 996 part number n them?

For a c2 use Sachs brand top mounts, they are OE mine came with Porsche number ground off. For C4 c4s use 997 4wd top mounts as they are much cheaper for some reason. Bearings from OPC I'd you need ask for a discount. I recoated all my washers and hatdware and re used. Also try autodoc for a European choice of parts

Very interesting, do you mind me asking how do you know that the 997 mounts fit the c4 996?

I've been into Centre Gravity to chat about set up (planning to fit new shocks soon) and they advised, in general, top mounts/hardware is OK. Recommended taking the bearing apart, cleaning and re-greasing. Ian

I read all the threads about using 997 top mounts and the consensus from those who know (i.e. the Porsche Specialists) seemed to be was that they are different - if they weren't they would have the same part number from Porsche - the angle that the damper is held is slightly different and this will therefore affect the amount of adjustment available on the front suspension. Given the extra cost of the correct ones if you buy Hamburg (c.£80 for both) and the cost of the work involved in changing them again if they are wrong, as well as setting up the suspension correctly afterwards, then I didn't think it was worth the risk. I am not sure, but has anybody asked Centre Gravity?