I don't know if "neglect" is the proper word, but yes, they could have left the stock top-mounts if they were in good shape, or maybe even replaced the original ones with stock units. With 50,000 mi. it's possible they just left them alone. It's my hunch that with the amount your car is lowered, that there are adjustable camber plates in there though. If you get up under the wheel well with a flashlight, you should be able to see them.

 

I'm having a heck of a time getting the top nuts off of the struts (They're rusted pretty bad). This being said, since I did get the struts out, even though the top and bottom washers are still there I'm able to see that the stock top mounts are cracked/torn. I ordered the Tarrett adjustable camber plates, and waiting for them to show up - hopefully I'll be ready to install everything when I get them...looks like it won't be this week though :-(

 

Did you have to take out the CV axle to get the struts out? I'm hearing, the removal of the struts on the C4 is quite a bit more complicated than the C2. It should be a fairly simple job, but that's not at all what I'm learning.

 

Yes, I dropped the control arm and the coffin arm, and of course, you've got to remove the axle nut (the one that's torqued to 340 ft/lbs.)...I used a 3ft x 3/4" pipe on a 1/2" breaker bar, and I had my son hold the brakes. I also stuck a large drift in the cooling fins of the brake rotor.

 

I was surprised by how little difference it made going to the Tarett pieces. My wife didn't notice.

 

I just finished up my install tonight. The car drives beautifully. The stock top mounts were both torn - one totally. I wound going with the Tarrett Camber Plates and I'm very happy I did. No "harshness" at all, but you do feel more of the road. Overall the ride is so much smoother and solid with the new suspension components.