I've read lots about mushrooming or cracked strut, but all of the posts talk about the front suspension, can i get it on the rear suspension ? how can i check if i already have it ? can i use something like the M7 ?

MaC

 

Bump, wondering the same.

 

The rear coil over shock springs are "face" bolted to a fairly rigid piece of frame. I don't see how you could deform it. Look for the links on how to install a rear sway bar, they show the Coil overs removed.
John

 

I've never heard of anyone that has experienced rear mushrooms or cracked struts.

You could check them if you want by removing any of the rear wheels and removing the wheel well cover, the strut mounting points will then be right in front of you.

It would seem very difficult to cause mushrooming at the rear struts, since they mount directly on the main rear members of the frame of the car (as JDewey mentioned). It is more common on the front struts due to the mounting location being very weak.

As for the cracked struts, the front and the rear struts have completely different mount designs. The front ones have an elastomeric rubber piece within the mount assembly which are the ones that have been known to crack (much less common than the mushrooming). The rear ones do not have this rubber piece so it is my understanding that they would not be subject to the same issues.

I'm not a car mechanic, but I did stay at a Holiday Inn Express last night.

 

Oh, I also forgot to mention m7. I assume you are refering to the Strut Reinforcement Plates (SRP's) they designed. They are designed for the front strut mounts and are not compatible with the rear strut supports.

 

paranoia = more business for M7.

 

You know guys, actually im saying this because i think i have that problem (rear left side).. well im pretty sure i have it , cause every time i go thru a hole it feels and sounds so bad.
Im gonna take a picture of it this weekend.

 

you can say that agian wish I had stock in the Co the past 8 month.

Seriously tho - MiNi_MaC - There's nothing in the back to mushroom as has been stated. I have not heard of rear shock mounts breaking w/o a significant impact. I don't belive this to be a weakness on the Mini. That said, BMW history E30 and E36 rear mounts were notoriously weak and did break (I know 1st hand on my E30), you'd hear a distinct KLUNK when that wheel would compress the shock.

Not knowing how old the car is, miles, mods, where you drive etc, it's hard to point finger at any of those factors, so best thing is to pull the carpet and take a peek.

 

Hum! i thought that removing the wheel and cover i could provably see the mount, but i was wrong, i also try from the inside of the care but no luck either, I can almost bet that somethings broken in there.

MaC

 

pull the strut down...