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In a couple weeks I'm replacing my stock springs and shocks for Koni STR.T with strano springs, and I heard from a couple people that I need to replace my strut mounts in the front. Is this a necessity? I'm a bit tight on money and unless there are actually cons or risks to keeping the stock ones then I won't change them. Will I notice any improvements?
I could've put spring compressors on the springs and cut through the nut and shock shaft to free up the assembly, at the expense of ruining the little isolator piece and possibly cutting into the shock itself and letting the gas start leaking from the shock (a neighbor did that so I didn't feel like doing that.) So it's possible to save your mounts and lower rubber spring seat piece, but you also might end up lucky and have mounts that aren't rusted at all like mine too
Nevertheless I didn't want to mess with the old shock assembly so I bought all new mounts and pieces lol, I'm not as adventurous as some
I could've put spring compressors on the springs and cut through the nut and shock shaft to free up the assembly, at the expense of ruining the little isolator piece and possibly cutting into the shock itself and letting the gas start leaking from the shock (a neighbor did that so I didn't feel like doing that.) So it's possible to save your mounts and lower rubber spring seat piece, but you also might end up lucky and have mounts that aren't rusted at all like mine too
Nevertheless I didn't want to mess with the old shock assembly so I bought all new mounts and pieces lol, I'm not as adventurous as some
Geez those don't look too healthy. Lol ok I'll check mine out and make a decision based on the condition they're in. Thank you
Your shock mounts are at least (if they're the originals) 13 years old. Personally I hate to get into a repair and not have all the parts that I need. The weather/rust is what's degrading those - not to mention, rubber doesn't last forever. Do it while you're there.
If you use a flashlight and a jack you can see the mounts through the top of the wheel well. I'd look for cracking where the spring seats in the mount and over all condition like drying, brittle, etc. If you have the cash, I'd probably just replace them at this point and be done w/ it.
FWIW the nuts on my front shock mounts looked like the ones pictured above. I used a drill then a hammer/cold chisel on the nuts and they came right off. I was still able to reuse my isolators/mounts also but they were in better condition.
I think you'll like the Strano springs.
If they are original they will need replaced. My car was a somewhat southern car and doesn't have a spot of rust anywhere. Yet somehow the mounts were destroyed. On one mount I managed to get the nut off and no matter what I did I couldn't remove the mount from the shock even with a sledge hammer and the entire pressure from the spring on it. I grabbed the sawzall and cut the top hats off both sides.
If they are original they will need replaced. My car was a somewhat southern car and doesn't have a spot of rust anywhere. Yet somehow the mounts were destroyed. On one mount I managed to get the nut off and no matter what I did I couldn't remove the mount from the shock even with a sledge hammer and the entire pressure from the spring on it. I grabbed the sawzall and cut the top hats off both sides.
I found that compressing the spring then using a saws all and cutting through the threaded rod below the shock mount takes 30 seconds to saw through.
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Do I need new strut mount? 
