To fit or not to fit: Seat LCR Top Mounts

5641 Views 9 Replies 6 Participants Last post by PokerProTDI150, Aug 15, 2011

Flamotronic

Discussion Starter · Jan 5, 2011

Intro/Blurb: We all are probably well-versed that the only heavy duty top mounts fitted to a Volkswagen Group A4 (PQ34) platform car is the ones fitted to the Seat Leon Cupra R, in the form of 'Heavy Duty Top Mounts' part number: 1ML 412 331.

Every other PQ34 car is fitted with the softer stock version, part number: 1J0 412 331 C []

My Story/Questions/Headache...

Currently, my car is fitted with GTi TDi 25th Anniversary dampers with Eibach Pro-line (-30mm) springs. Unfortunately, the top mounts and bearings weren't replaced at the time of upgrading the suspension, and so as it's expected some knocking sounds have come by!

So, the question: if you had a TDI would you fit the LCR top mounts, or would you chicken out and fit the standard stuff in case you end up destroying the diesel heavier-front-end car (read: suffering till your teeth fall out and your bones break!) ? I'm in two minds as to risk fitting them or regret not doing so. As it is an expensive and labourious task of replacing top mounts, I'd rather do them in one hit.

The question is relevant because my car is a family car and I drive mainly on urban, battered roads. OK, the local city council is 'trying' its best to repair most of the roads and make them "German Autobahn smooth"... Also, is the extra cost of fitting the LCR mounts justified, especially for this type of car and for our type of roads?

However, on the other hand, I do know that the standard top mounts are rubbish, to be rather blunt and honest. Fitting the LCR top mounts will work wonders for the car and tremendously improve the driving experience. Being reinforced, I know that I probably would never have to replace these top mounts for, well, the life of the car!

Feel free to comment and discuss!

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madman

· #2 · Jan 5, 2011

To be honest I cant see just a pair of top mounts making any difference at all. I would just stick with the standard ones. I took my standard ones out and replaced with new stock ones when I did the coilovers. To be fair there was little wrong with them after 115k. The top mounts are only providing isolation from the car body for the spring platform and somewhere for the bearing to sit.[

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Flamotronic

Discussion Starter · #3 · Jan 10, 2011

Thanks for your input, Madman. [Y]

Anyone else with their own verdict?

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harveysduvet

· #4 · Jan 10, 2011

I've not used the LCR mounts but I've used the 034 Motorsport Track Density mounts on a couple of cars which are 85 durometer compared to the LCRs which are 80 (standard are between 50 - 55).

The car will feel a bit different with them on - it's hard to articulate it, but you get a sense that the dampers are a little bit more rigidly connected to the car - there's a little more noise but not much. But other than that they're not really that noticeable - they're certainly not going to shatter your spine or rattle your teeth out and you'll probably forget what the old mounts felt like and they'll just feel 'normal' after a couple of drives. I never felt they were detrminetal to the ride quality in any significant way.

Jon.

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Engimaneer

· #5 · Jan 10, 2011

I would nnot spend more than I need to on top mounts personally.

Happy with ones from Euro/GSF etc let alone upgrading.

Its your money and your car though, so do what YOU want.

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harveysduvet

· #6 · Jan 10, 2011

I'll add that I was using the 034 Mounts because I needed something stronger for track use having collapsed a pair of standard top mounts in one day at Oulton Park.

The 034 mounts were good, but even they were starting to show the beginnings of starting to deform after being removed after a few track days.

If you're not doing trackdays and don't drive like a muppet on the public roads, there's not much benefit to be had so you may as well stick with the standard ones, particularly if you're concerned about the potential negatives of the stiffer mounts.

Jon.

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Flamotronic

Discussion Starter · #7 · Jan 11, 2011

Thanks for your input guys.

Well, I decided not to bite the bullet after all. So I have purchased a set of genuine standard top mounts at £12.22 inc. VAT each (together with the bearings). Personally, I'd steer clear of the pattern ones from the likes of Euro/GSF, since they are known to deteriorate very quickly, sometimes within a year, depending on road conditions and suspension stiffness. I follow the old adage: 'buy cheap, pay twice'.

Whilst at it, I decided to order the unmistakable VRS axle bushes. At £21.62 inc. VAT each they are by no means cheap (prices have definitely done up over the last couple of years, naturally) but, essentially they should outlive the car itself, plus improving the handling (and comfort for that matter with my existing shot bushes!).

Regarding the LCR top mounts: there must be a reason why VW, Audi and Skoda had decided against using these reinforced mounts. Why would, for instance, a car like the R32 still use standard 50 Durometer mounts? (VW even didn't provide 'options' for upgrading) Although the LCR is 2WD compared to the Golf R32 and, Audi TT 225 and S3, again, it also uses a much more stiffer rear axle bush than other 'sporty' VAG group cars.

The possible reason: the LCR is obviously in a slightly different target market, probably appealing to 'hardcore racers'; the typical R32/S3/TT customer will never favour these stiffer mounts and bushes. Seat (and its parent VAG Group) wouldn't reduce their profit margins unnecessarily if these parts were not made for purpose...

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PokerProTDI150

· #8 · Aug 15, 2011

Im looking to test the LCR top mounts out, are you guys sure that the LCR top mounts will fit onto my mk4 shocks?

I know the LCR is only 2wd but it does use the same setup at the front as the R32/TT/S3 ..... which makes me a little unsure?

Will the LCR ones fit correctlly?

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old_n07

· #9 · Aug 15, 2011

The main difference on the 4wd suspension struts is the mounting points on them for the under slung ARB which normal 2WD struts don't have.

With regards to the top mounts they will be the same fitting as they are basically a rubber ring that sits in the suspension tower and is held in place by the weight of the vehicle pressing down, and the suspension tower is the same on both platforms as far as I am aware.

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PokerProTDI150

· #10 · Aug 15, 2011

The main difference on the 4wd suspension struts is the mounting points on them for the under slung ARB which normal 2WD struts don't have.

With regards to the top mounts they will be the same fitting as they are basically a rubber ring that sits in the suspension tower and is held in place by the weight of the vehicle pressing down, and the suspension tower is the same on both platforms as far as I am aware.

Thank-you for your response sir

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