Suspension noise after spring install

[webb06GT]

I have made quite a few changes to my car in the last week. The biggest was installing the BMR lowering kit (springs, LCA relocation brackets, adj. panhard). I noticed what sounds like knocking or chattering when I go over bumps. I did not install the isolators that were glued on the stock springs on the BMR springs. Everything is tight, I checked already. I am not really looking for a fix, just curious if anyone else experienced an increase in suspension noise after installing springs or LCA relocation brackets?

 

[Jenns01TA]

http://forums.stangnet.com/showthread.php?t=707078

Krang has a similiar issue with the BMR LCA with sperical bushings. I am not sure if he has isolated his issue.

 

[welchy]

Is the noise coming from the front or the back? Did you replace the upper strut mounts? They are a one time use item and if re-used often cause a "pop" or "clunk" noise.

 

[webb06GT]

I still have the stock LCA's. I replaced the strut mounts, they came with the kit. I was thinking it could be due to the different bushings in the panhard? I can't really tell if it coming from the front or back, I think maybe both, but only the passenger side. I am going to have to get the car back on the lift.

 

[bigcat]

make sure everything was properly torqued. check everything for play, especially the endlinks. the bushings should not cause a knocking or chattering noise.

 

[V8JamesGT]

I've been considering the same kit... How does it ride and feel? Any before and after pics?

 

[webb06GT]

I am really happy with the way the car sits now. It is level and the gap over the wheel is perfect to me. It rides pretty much like stock and you can only tell it's lowered when you hit something pretty big at speed. It handles better and definantly hooks better. I didn't have to use the camber bolts to get the car to align back to spec. I set the adj panhard dead on with the stock one and didn't have to adjust it any once the car was on the ground. I am not sure it's needed with such a mild drop. Install was pretty easy since I used a lift and air tools. I guess it took about 2 1/2 hours start to finish. I think the noise is coming from the passenger side strut. It makes some noise when I bounce the right front of the car. I am going to pull it apart and re-check everything. Here are the before and afters. I don't think the pics do it justice.

Before

After

 

[blacksheep06]

I'm having the same problems with my steeda ultralites. I'm going to have the front mounts replaced but I don't think that's going to solve it, sounds like it's coming from all 4 corners. It is a very loud and annoying clunk, no squeeking at all just bumping and clunking on even the smallest bump.

Also, my driver side rear sits every bit of a half inch higher than the passenger rear. Maybe it wasn't installed right? Or maybe the rear passenger side is sagging?

I'm very dissapointed and I don't have the time or tools to work on stuff like this myself so I don't want to have to keep paying for labor to fix the problem. I'm trying to get my facts together and have it done right when I take it in to have it fixed.

Mounts is one thing to replace, endlink tightning is another, isolaters are another thing to check. anymore ideas?

 

[webb06GT]

As far as the rear of your car being at different height, I would check to make sure both springs are indexed the same. They should look identical on the lower mount with the end of the coil being rotated to the same position on each side. If they are not indexed correctly this could be what is causing most of your problems. To check you just need to crawl under your car and compare the two sides.

 

[blacksheep06]

As far as the rear of your car being at different height, I would check to make sure both springs are indexed the same. They should look identical on the lower mount with the end of the coil being rotated to the same position on each side. If they are not indexed correctly this could be what is causing most of your problems. To check you just need to crawl under your car and compare the two sides.

Thanks, I'll check that as soon as I get home.

 

[LV51FER]

Make sure the LCAs are torqued with the wheels flat on the ground. Check the torque on the LCAs is correct. I have METCO LCAsa nd the passenger side one groaned and creaked until I tightened it right up to specified torque (130-odd from memory). It still makes the odd groan but it's acceptable now.

 

[webb06GT]

Thanks for all of the suggestions. The noise is coming from the paasenger side strut. I am going to pull it part this weekend and check it out.