I'm about the replace my front strut mount bearings. Mine are worn so much that they creak. I have AGX's with Megan lowering springs on the front, but debating on getting camber plates in place of the mounts. Can you guys help me weigh the pros and cons of each?

Would possibly consider grabbing some used front coilovers as another option...but just throwing this out for the sake of discussion.


Thanks for your input...

 

Camber plates are cool. Do you need the adjustment?

I was looking at these... https://technotoytuning.com/nissan/s13 .

I would advise against coils in the front and lowering springs in the back. Your car will just plow like a mofo since the back spring rate is so soft.

 

Pro's- ease of adjustable camber and caster on some pieces. Rigid. Simple install.

Con's- transmit more road noise/vibrations into the car. Some units require cutting strut hole for full adjustability. Allow more dirt/road grime into the engine bay because of open areas. Can be expensive.

What are you using/intending the car for again? Unless you need the adjustment for "racecar" alignments, I wouldn't bother. Just buy the new upper mounts and roll with them. Buy coils with the plates and call it a day.

 

The car is a daily for the most part that may eventually see autocross action but it wont be drifted. What you two have written makes sense and is confirming what i was thinking. I dont "need" the flexible adjustment allowed by the plates because i dont need or want the "racecar" look just because i run too wide a wheel on the car. And that coilovers one the front would only hurt what performace I do have.

Also, I imagine if i mess with the suspension too much the car would be placed in more aggressive autox class that would be above my experience level anyway.

Is there any such thing as a performance version of the strut bearing? Something perhaps with poly urethane unstead of rubber? I doubt it...but i'll search more.

 

Poly would be worse. A little known fact...when the OEM uses a rubber bushing, its generally there because that part needs to flex to work properly. Alot of times when you change to polyurethane bushings you're just causing the suspension to bind (unless the bushings are sufficiently greased, which can be a pain.) Thats why sphericals are so great, because they stay put while still freely articulating.

But these days, just a spherical camber plate isnt enough. Now we use Torrington bearings as well so that the springs can freely rotate on the perches when the wheel is turned. Just the spherical alone can still cause the springs to bind and pop against the spring perches.

Pretty much you need to decide if you're going to buy coilovers like everyone else, or if you want to build your own setup. If you're not doing a custom Koni yellow, Koni 861X, or Bilstein setup youre wasting money on anything you buy thats not coilovers, if ya see what Im sayin.

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