Hello everyone. I'm in process of rebuilding the rear suspension on my Mk2 and got to the point where I am replacing the pads on the top and bottom of the spring. The crumbled original Metalastic parts had a steel plate bonded to the rubber pad but the polyurethane replacements are just a square chunk of material with a hole in the middle. If I try to use the original bolt with the small round head, I'm pretty sure it is going to pull right through the polyurethane material. In addition, the stack up is going to be shorter and I'm wondering if they will even be properly clamped when bolted to the car. Does anyone have any experience with these?
I looked at the standard replacements on Moss and they don't seem to have the bonded metal plate either. Its hard to tell from the picture so maybe they do but at 8 bucks apiece, my guess is they are just rubber.
I guess I could separate the old rubber from the originals and re-use the metal plates??
Thanks in advance.

 

SNG Barratt seem to have the right pads, even offering, to special order, an uprated pad

https://www.sngbarratt.com/English/#...b-fd030ceb355a

 

Hmm, Interesting for me too, as I've just bought some replacements yesterday from eBay, and looking at them in the auction image, they appear to be only rubber too. I've long since thrown out the old ones as I didn't even consider that I needed the metal backing as it was bonded to the rubber. Hmm, looks like I have either another job and make some, or extra expense....


EDIT: Actually, looking at the ones I've ordered, they may actually have a plate on, but it's covered in the rubber from moulding. Who know's, I guess I'll find out in a day or two....

 

Thanks for the feedback. I did send a note to Moss (XKs Unlimited) where I purchased them months ago to see if they have any input. I will pass that along if I get anything back.
I'm thinking it may be best to go back to the original style.
It does look like the parts you found on ebay have a metal plate. Its not the same shape as the original parts I took off my car. They are just a simple rectangle with rounded corners and the hole in the middle. The metal is very thick. Probably 1/16 inch at minimum.

 

Be careful with these as these are the only thing that holds the spring in place, the front spring mounting rubber is just resting on the plate and if these rear mountings weren't secure the spring would be able to move backwards.

Could you ring up whoever made them and ask how they intended them to be fitted?