i-MiEV McPherson Strut Top Mount Replacement

[martinwinlow]

Hi,

Has anyone any experience of replacing just the front strut top mount ie where it mounts to the body? I think mine is badly worn and is knocking. Is it possible to replace just the mount or does it come complete with the whole strut? Any ideas where to buy whatever is needed (ideally aftermarket)?

Regards, Martin Winlow
Isle of Colonsay
Scotland

 

[Eddie49]

I have a complete strut removed from the nearside of my "Coparts" iOn ( a wreck with OSF damage ).
The strut top mount is a separate item, secured to the car turret with two nuts onto studs pressed into the top mount. The top mount attaches to the shock absorber rod in the usual way, with a nut and an Allen socket in the end of the rod to prevent rotation. The diagram reference number for this part ( called an "insulator" ) is 40025B, but that is not the part number.

 

[martinwinlow]

Hi Eddie49, Thanks for your reply. It aligns with what else I have been reading on the subject. I'll update this post in due course. Mine can't be the only i-MiEV with this issue (although our roads are spectacularly bad - https://www.obantimes.co.uk/2022/06/30/worst-road-on-colonsay-is-lethal-to-cyclists-warns-bb-owner/)...!

 

[Adoepner]

I will be undertaking this replacement next week, along with a control arm replacement because my lower control arm bushings are also shot. I ordered parts from Amayama.com. They were delivered promptly to a friend in the USA who will be muling them into Canada for me. Unfortunately, Japan post is not shipping direct to Canada at the moment.

- Andrew

Parts ordered:

Mitsubishi MR961040 - INSULATOR,FR SUSP STRUT
2 28.86
Mitsubishi 4013A291 - ARM, SUSPENSION
1 129.36
Mitsubishi 4013A292 - ARM, SUSPENSION
1 129.36
Mitsubishi MR594993 - BEARING,FR SUSP STRUT
2 7.36
Mitsubishi MN110240 - SUPPORT,FR SUSP STRUT
2 8.56
Mitsubishi MN110239 - INSULATOR,FR SUSP STRUT
2 20.90
FUSO MF434105 - NUT
4 4.88
Mitsubishi 4060A183 - STOPPER,FR SUSP STRUT
2 17.92
Mitsubishi MR961893 - WASHER,FR SUSP STRUT
2 4.18
Mitsubishi MR961892 - NUT,FR SUSP STRUT
2 3.98
Mitsubishi MR210686 - COVER,FR SUSP STRUT
2 6.16

 

[Adoepner]

So my mechanic installed everything today. Apparently I have the incorrect control arms. The control arms I ordered are

ARM ASSY,FR SUSP,LWR RH
Genuine Mitsubishi (4013A046)
4013A292

and

ARM ASSY,FR SUSP,LWR LH
Genuine Mitsubishi (4013A045)
4013A291

The parts are 40320AL and 40320AR on the part diagram at https://www.amayama.com/en/catalogs/mitsubishi/i/1-hatchback-right-2006-1247/transmission-and-chassis-2/front-susp-arm-member-1153

I have a North American car. I assumed that when Mitsubishi stretched and widened the car for North America they left the suspension geometry the same. Apparently not ...

I just confirmed with my local Mitsu dealership that the NA control arms are parts
4013A296 (L) and 4013A297 (R) and they retail for $532.20 CAD each ...

Here I was thinking I would save money.

The good news is the strut mount portion of the job was straightforward.

Andrew

 

[Adoepner]

A head's up for anyone in North America:

Mitsubishi USA no longer stocks the 4013A296 (left) control arms and cannot get them from Mitsubishi in Japan. You have no choice but to rebuild them. 4013A297 (right) are still available.

After my order, Mitsubishi Canada now has two sets remaining in their warehouse ... after that they are all gone.

Given that our cars didn't sell in great volume in North America, it seems that Mitsubishi has no interest in supporting them.

Andrew