Strut tops making clunking/metallic rattling noise

[-GT-]

Well, i finally got around to installing my cambertops the other day and as soon as i rolled out of the driveway i got some knocking noises from the passenger side one. I immediately double checked wheelnuts and all the bolts touched to remove/replace the strut (5 in total: 2 to steering knuckle, 3 on tower) and these were definately tight.

A short drive revealed that although the drivers side is perfectly quiet the passenger one knocks and rattles over every little bump, so i'm thinking it's shagged. What i'm hoping is that perhaps there's some other explanation i'm overlooking?

They're wound in a fair bit, never got to the intended alignment because of the noise, but i had a quick look at clearance and it *looked* ok despite being close to the inner guard, so i'm thinking it's not that, and the sound is more like a solid clunk than a scrape or knock.

Being used it's probable they've done some k's and have then sat at an importers for months. Is there any maintenance/lubrication i should've done? I'm assuming it's just a solid spherical bearing, so is it worn/stuffed? Or are they servicable?

The only other thing i can think of is that when they were put on the strut the top nut wasn't tightened all the way, but i got a suspension place to put them on and i was standing there when he did it; rattle gun, just like the other one, and everything seemed tight and secure when i checked them out before putting them back in.

This also applies to the bearing, the noise sounds like i should've been able to feel some play by hand but couldn't? But i guess there's a whole lot more weight on them now?

Opinions???

[MR 1JZ]

sounds like your pillowballs could be fucked and they make a godawful noise when they are...i was quoted $100 to rebuild both fronts in my mates S13...

[-GT-]

Yeah, that's what i'm worried it is, just a bit suprised one side is fucked and the other seems fine? I would've expected if they've had a hard/long life they would be showing comparable signs of wear? Unless of course one incident like crash/gutter did the damage?

Who did you go to to get them rebuilt? Suspension shop? Or bearing place or the like?

It's parked at the moment till i can get it sorted, but if it gets driven is it going to get significantly worse and do more damage? Or is it really only the noise to worry about in the short term?

[MR 1JZ]

he didnt get them done in the end, just wnet out and bought a new set of cusco ones...

shockreco.com can do it im pretty sure

[-GT-]

Hmmm, can anybody suggest anywhere in syd? Thinking of going to have a chat to heasman's.

Looking unlikely for track day on friday if i can't get this done asap...

[MR 1JZ]

did you try shockreco.com?

[-GT-]

Yeah, looked up the website; they're in brissy? Do they have a syd workshop?

[MR 1JZ]

not as far as I know, but they are the best and one of the cheapest in aust...

somehow I dont think you will be making your track day...unless you revert back to the stock tops?

[Roundy]

i'd double check the strut top bolt, mine was making some noise after i changed my springs and shocks, it wasn't tight enough...just try to tighten it whilst it is sitting at rest, that way there is decent pressure on the shock to prevent it spinning.

[-GT-]

So you think the strut assembly top bolt might not be tight enough? With the weight of the car on it i should be able to tighten it far enough?

Not sure this is likely, the suspension guy tightened them with the spring compressed so there shouldn't have been anything to stop it tightening right down. I'll check it though.

The irony of this is that the track day is what finally made me get around to installing them...

[45aken]

same thing with my cusco units.
what you are going to have to do is get a pair of multi/vice grips (do them up mega tight) and clamp them to the rod of the shock (in the middle of the springs) then jack the wheel (if the car is already jacked) or make sure the car is on the ground. now since the weight of the car (or from the jack) is pushing upwards on the bolt, tighten the top nut as hard as you can, making sure the multi/vice grips dont spin.

fixed it for me.

[oldcorollas]

i'm gonna say DON'T USE VICE GRIPS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

the metal is hard and the vicegrips can't get a good grip.. to get a good grip, they need to bite into the metal, and as soon as that happens, your shocks are fuxored.

are you using same shocks as before? could the shock insert be loose inside the tube? (i have had that occur before)

can you make the noise by bouncing the car (ala shock test)?
is the noise on compression? rebound? both? neither?

unles something is touching, the weight of the car should push the bearing up and regardless of slack, it aint gonna wobble around. however.. if the shock can move in it's tube, it will make a noise for every movement of suspension..

[-GT-]

I was hoping you would be along soon stu!

Yeah, was a little hesistant about the vice grips being successful. Yep, shocks etc all still the same, just removed my struts, took them to susp shop, watched while he clamped spring, undid nut, switched tops, did up new nut that came with new tops, released springs, then went home and put them in.

Can't make the noise bouncing my weight on the car, and the noise is on every single little bump i go over; i'd say comp and rebound. It sounds like the 3 bolts to the body are slack and the whole strut is banging against the strut tower, but there isn't enough play in whatever it is to feel the movement through the steering feedback, didn't feel loose, just made a godawful clunk most of the time.

How could i tell if the shock has come loose in the tube? And the best way to rectify?

[45aken]

i used the vice grips up the top, where it would be impossible for the damaged metal to enter the cartridge. sorry i didn't mention that. even with the spring completely compressed, the damaged part is still no where near the cartridge.

my bad.

[Roundy]

So you think the strut assembly top bolt might not be tight enough? With the weight of the car on it i should be able to tighten it far enough?

It is possible, mine wasn't clunking/rattling as bad as what u describe, but that did fix it. And yes with the weight of the car on it u can (normally) get it tight enough...just gotta be a bit careful otherwise it can spin.

if it is loose enough to rattle u will know as soon as u put a ratchet on it and try to tighten it!