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I did a small search, I didn't find any related topic, although I was sure I had seen once in this forum

When should top mounts be replaced? Are there any regular intervals?
Otherwise, how can one understand they are worn out? Only by looking at them or do they have any special result-effect while driving?

Is there movement in the bearing, ie. are they loose/rattling? If so they're worn otherwise just leave them be.

One tip, when you do need them get OE bearings from BMW. Aftermarket ones (eg Walloth & Nesch) aren't much cheaper & are rubbish quality.

I assume you mean the front ones as these are the most work, rears you will hear as they start to rattle on a brick road for example. When fitted you usually start hearing a knocking sound when steering or going over a mild speed bump. No noise? Leave everything in place!

However, if you are going to do suspension work, always check. Removing and refitting old ones usually means a slightly different position resulting in noise and you need to do the work again which is a waste of time. Remove the struts, compress the spring to get the tension off the bearing and then feel for freeplay. Freeplay means replace, and indeed, use quality materials and not the cheap rubbish from WN, Meyle and the likes.

As I have already bought (some years ago - now stored in my secret E21 treasure box) the ones sold from W&N (thinking these were the OEM ones)
Can anyone suggest some decent aftermarket ones?


The ones on the car (which I think are the factory ones never replaced since 1977) look rather tired (rubber on top has lots of crackings etc.
Also, I can hear a small "clonk" -ing sound when the wheel is steered almost to the end (either side), especially when on roads with some inclination, but I am not sure how much worrying this is.
Most of all, there is rather significant rattling of the steernig wheel at 100 km/h and then again around 140 km/h

First of all, are you sure it's the top mounts that are bad?

I would suspect the track rod ball joints, wishbone ball joints & wishbone inner & outer/arb bushes first. When you have ascertained these are all good (& the steering rack for good measure) then consider the top mounts.

Rattling steering could be the steering column bush or loose bolts - is there any movement at rest?

It's not the rubber in the top mounts that wears it's the bearings. There was so much slack in my W&N mounts you could tip the the mount a good 2mm. Forget aftermarket - just get the BMW ones from your dealer, there really isn't much difference in price. The fit & finish is BMW spec.

No, actually I am not sure it's the top mounts, but I can see them worn out, so I was thinking that they need replacement anyway.
Rattling, is not just on the steering, indeed. I have noticed that when I leave keys on the co-driver's seat, they rattle too much (meaning that the seat is trembling)

Agree with Any but the method described above helps you make sure you inspect the top bearings correctly, the rubber doesn't say much but knocks are often caused by these top bearings.

Problem sold! At least is seems so..
A balancing with the wheels on the car was done, and alignment
Drove the car in the weekend, everything is ok now