Folks… am thinking about finishing up my suspension with either Steeda springs all around or the Ground Control Coilover Conversion kit, but BOTH with Koni Yellow Struts.

My question is, I know the strut I will be getting is the 2011+ SPECIFIC Koni's, so can I/should I use the same OEM stock strut mounts? Or do I need to upgrade to say a Steeda HD mount? I would prefer to just use the stock ones, of course… I have read horror stories about the bearings falling out on the stock mounts?

What say you?

p.s. any thoughts on the Steeda vs Ground Control setup?

 

I guess a better question would be… for those of you with Koni struts installed on your mustangs, which strut mounts did you use, and why?

 

I used the GT500 strut mounts. ..... because Jay from Hypermotive told me these would be sooooo much better than the stock ones. And I must say... they truly are !
Of the stock ones fell in two pieces once I took the spring off. They sort of "click" together, the top and the bottom part.
The GT500 in that respect is one solid piece of rubber, sandwiched between metal.

 

I have it on good authority that the stock mounts are acceptable for use on a street-driven car using the 2011+ Koni's. Just be careful not to lose your little ***** during the installation. Er, uh, well, you know...

But you might consider the aftermarket mounts to help with alignment issues from lowering if that's a problem.

 

I also used the GT500 mounts, though I tried to get the stock mounts off without losing the *****. I failed.

 

For those of you that used the GT500 mounts, that must mean that you used 05-10 Koni yellow struts then... Because as you know, the 11+ Koni yellow struts only fit through the 11+ specific oem strut mounts, or something like a steeda HD strut mount, etc...

May I ask why you chose to go that route? Is it purely because you didn't want to reuse the stock oem mounts?

It sounds like I "have" to go this route, if I want a cost effective and proper way of installing and using Koni struts? It's just that I was hoping to use the 11+ konis....

 

Yes, however I should have no issues with alignment, as when I was lowered on K springs for 2 years now, we were able to get it in spec by my installed slotting my plates to allow for adjustment.

I was hoping to use the stock mounts to save on $, but sounds like for most effective (cost and function), I have to get a gt500 mount AND get the 05-10 Koni struts...

Is that all true?

 

If you're careful and always hold the stock mount's top and bottom together so the ***** don't have a way to get out, you should be fine.
I helped a buddy install Eibachs on his '12 V6 and we re-used the stock mounts.
We had some ***** fall out but we put them back in and kept going. About a year later he's still fine.
I think we even left out a ball or 3

 

stock is fine, since your car has like 85 miles on it.

 

I think Rock Auto has the stock mounts for like $65, Ford states they are one time use only. The GT500 mounts are for using 05-10 style struts, I don't think they are compatible with the 11+ struts.

EDIT: I see you already mentioned the compatibility issue with the GT500 mounts. BTW we got the J&M Caster/Camber plates for our car.

 

That's good to know Gabe... I'm debating which strut mount to go with, then that dictates the year Koni strut I have to get.

My quandry comes in the fact that, yes, I can reuse the stock strut mount, but if it fails in the near future, I could have already replaced them one time, while I'm already getting the front suspension worked on so we'll see.

7k miles now actually, Danielle. Scary thought that I'm driving her, eh?

Yes... GT500 mounts for 05-10 koni struts....

 

There's also the thought that the GT500 mounts might be heavier-duty for the heavier front-end of that car.
So they should last longer.
So yeah ,.... that's what I'd recommend ... GT500 mounts with the 05-09 Konis

Are they still on sale for killer prices?
The last set I ordered I ordered through Late Model Restoration ... I didn't think anybody could've really beaten the 611/set price ...

 

Yes, Jay at Hypermotive rocks... and he's giving me a good price on whichever set I decide. I have to choose either:

05-09 strut with GT500 mounts (which equals more money )

or

11-14 strut with stock mounts

 

Wow! Time for it's first oil change then!

Just busting your chops. I still think that can be my next Mustang purchase.

 

It's a compromise position. The stock mounts will work fine, save you $, and should not fail in the near future. If you were going to beat up on or track your car, then I would consider the superior, adjustable aftermarket mounts and 2011+ Koni's. If you get the 2011+ Koni's, you'll be able to upgrade the mounts later if you so choose.

 

This is a very good point. I can save over 300 bucks if that were the case. I just figured I'm already in there, so might as well change... But if I can reuse, I'll do that maybe ... Hmmmmm

Anyone here running Koni yellows with lowering springs on stock strut mounts?

 

I ordered the Koni oranges for cheap from Auto Anything a little over a year ago. At the time, they didn't have 11+ Koni oranges so the only route was to get the GT500 mounts. I had heard they were heavier duty and quiet as well, so I figured for $80 (Black Friday) the mounts were a good investment.

 

The GT500 mounts are more heavy-duty, to be sure. But...if your car has only 1k-2k miles on it, you can re-use the stock GT mounts. When I put in Eibach suspension in my 2011 GT, my Ford Performance Division Manager wanted to re-use my stock mounts since my car had only 1500 miles on it. He could have up-sold me on the GT500 mounts, and I would have gladly paid, I even told him so. He explained that he would not add extra parts the car did not need. And he knows I track my car. Nice.
Ps: Been two years, no issues with the stock mounts (jinx).

 

PJ, thanks for the info.

So what front suspension components are you running? Eibach springs and what struts? And so you're saying you have been running the stock strut mounts with no issues, and with occasional track days? No sounds, no clunks, etc? This is good to know if that's indeed the case.

As to your comment about you could have switched to GT500 mounts, isn't that wrong since those mounts require a pre 2011 strut? And since you reused your stock mounts, that must mean you have an 11+ strut.

 

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Hi, I'm running Eibach Pro-System-Plus-Kit (springs, dampers, sway bars) - fantastic by the way. Using my OEM stock struck mounts. I road-race 3-4 days per year. No issues of any kind. My 'clunks' from the front were the front LCA issue, the TSB heat shield fixed that. No relation to the strut mounts. But, like I said, I installed the Eibach system and re-used my stock mounts with only 1500 miles on the car - I think the low mileage makes a big difference.
Also, good catch on my willingness to switch to GT500 mounts comment. Yes, I am using a 2011+ strut. Let me clarify the mounts - it was really this part...2005-2014 MUSTANG FRONT STRUT MOUNT UPGRADE (PAIR), #M-18183-C. Technically not GT500, but Ford Racing...same upgrade concept. If my stock mounts ever do fail, these are what I will install.
Hope all of this helps, good luck!