Strut Mount Replacement

[stocker2000]

I need to replace my left rear strut mount as the rubber has a visible tear and is starting to separate (and is, I'm assuming, the cause of my "squeek").

Is it necessary to change mounts on both sides at the same time, or can I do just the one?

[s13sr20chris]

what kind of car? if it is a true chapman strut then you just unbolt the top and bottom and put on spring compressor.

[stocker2000]

Oops, sorry for not giving a model...2000 Altima GXE, and yes, it is a Chapman strut.

And I'm practiced at disassembling it and removing the mount. I'm just wondering if the strut mounts should be replaced in pairs. I have to replace the left one for sure. But, the car is 5 years old. I'm wondering if the difference of having a new mount on one side and an old mount on the other willl lead to adverse handling, tire wear, or something else.

[s13sr20chris]

minimal. it may not even be noticable. the dampers themselves are way more important than the mount. do you have a recent set of dampers? if you wanted to do both then look into some nismo strut mounts. i actually dont know if they make them for that application though.realisticly, just fix whats broke. if you have money to burn get some nice tires from our nico link to the tire rack and some nice shocks(i like koni the best) from them too.

[stocker2000]

I like your "realistically, jsut fix what's broke" approach.

No, I don't have new dampers/struts. Just a really irritating squeak, and the only visible sign of anything wrong is some mild separation of the rubber on the mount.

So, I'll just replace that one mount and hope it solves my problem.

[s13sr20chris]

take a look at the rear sway bar too. it may have come loose or something. you can lube the sway bar mounts front and rear to resolve some squeaks.