Strut mount wear - how to test?

[sbourg]

With our '91 190E 2.3, I notice that although the ride is smooth on most surfaces, the impacts become harsher as the surface imperfections become more sudden. This is more noticeable in the front - initial impact - than from the rear suspension.

The strut mount design seems to allow a degree of flexibility to absorb this, but I suspect the mount halves are 'bottoming' against each other (metal-to-metal) sooner than would be expected if they were new. I am wondering if there is a trick test for resting clearance to determine their condition - as there is for the motor mounts.

As for visible condition, there are small spot cracks that have developed in the rubber, but not close to separation yet. Thanks for any input.

Steve