Tokico strut noise (left side)

SCOTT REYNOLDS

New Member

Jul 29, 2012

8

0

1

Okinawa-shi, Okinawa, Japan

Jan 4, 2013

#1

• Jan 4, 2013

• #1

I just had the Tokico HP struts installed on my 04 GT. The car drives great but on certain small bumps, I get a weird knocking sound on the left that sounds like it's coming from the top. It's not all of the time, just on certain tiny small bumps in the road. It's annoying and wasn't doing it before the new struts. It's not a squeak and when I push down on the front you can not hear anything. It's kind of like a hard knocking sound that I can't figure out.

I have Steeda Superlite springs, Steeda 4 bolt C/C plates. I took the wheel off and couldn't find anything lose or broken.

The only thing left to do is get an alignment (waiting about 75-100 miles). I'm hoping that it will go away with an alignment and some miles on the new struts.

Has anyone heard of this before, or is this normal with aftermarket struts?


IMG_1142 by Steeda04GT, on Flickr

IMG_1141 by Steeda04GT, on Flickr

IMG_1143 by Steeda04GT, on Flickr

 

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PULMEOVR

I need a bigger E-Penis.

Sep 29, 2003

560

0

27

Ottawa, Ontario Canada

Jan 4, 2013

#2

• Jan 4, 2013

• #2

I know the struts are "new", but how many miles have you put on them? I had a knocking sound on my driver side front (also Tokico Blues) and it turned out to be a blown out strut. How low is your car? I'm on H&R SS springs (~2 inch drop in front), and my struts bottom out now and then on seemingly normal size bumps. Thats what caused my failure. I couldn't hear any squeaks or see leaking oil from the struts when I pushed on the front of my car.

 

SCOTT REYNOLDS

New Member

Jul 29, 2012

8

0

1

Okinawa-shi, Okinawa, Japan

Jan 4, 2013

#3

• Jan 4, 2013

• #3

Brand new from the box. All of the other components were in place before with no noise (c/c plates, springs). I took the wheel off and compressed the strut with a jack. No leaks, noises or issues with the function of the strut.

 

SCOTT REYNOLDS

New Member

Jul 29, 2012

8

0

1

Okinawa-shi, Okinawa, Japan

Jan 5, 2013

#4

• Jan 5, 2013

• #4

I just ordered some new bushings. I have the factory ones on there right now and that could be what's making the noise.

 

nyuk98gt

15 Year Member

Oct 10, 2000

1,427

6

79

Chesterfield, MO

Jan 6, 2013

#5

• Jan 6, 2013

• #5

Scott:

Konichiwha!

Could be the bushing but more likely, imho, it is the strut nut. Try to snug up the strut nut. That is "usually" the main reason why there is a little knock over a bump. I had the same problem when I put Bilsteins in and the strut nut was just a little loose. On the Bilsteins, the tip of the strut rod accepts an Allen key to the rod can be held while the nut is tightened. If the Tokicos don't have a way to hold the rod then you can use an impact wrench to snug up the nut. Without an impact wrench, you can try using a strap wrench on the rod (access via the fender) to hold it a little while the nut is tightened. Might be a little goofy but I suggest wrapping a rag around the wrench handle in case it slips off the nut (the cloth will minimize or prevent damage to the paint).

HTH,

Chris

 

blacksheep-1

Member

Oct 21, 2006

322

4

18

Jan 6, 2013

#6

• Jan 6, 2013

• #6

You might want to machine the spacer under the nut down so get at least 2 threads past the locknut

 

SCOTT REYNOLDS

New Member

Jul 29, 2012

8

0

1

Okinawa-shi, Okinawa, Japan

Jan 6, 2013

#7

• Jan 6, 2013

• #7

I'll try to tighten up the nuts and see if that fixes it first. Thanks! I thought the nut looked a little too high when I first saw it.

 

SCOTT REYNOLDS

New Member

Jul 29, 2012

8

0

1

Okinawa-shi, Okinawa, Japan

Jan 7, 2013

#8

• Jan 7, 2013

• #8

nyuk98gt said:

Scott:

Konichiwha!

Could be the bushing but more likely, imho, it is the strut nut. Try to snug up the strut nut. That is "usually" the main reason why there is a little knock over a bump. I had the same problem when I put Bilsteins in and the strut nut was just a little loose. On the Bilsteins, the tip of the strut rod accepts an Allen key to the rod can be held while the nut is tightened. If the Tokicos don't have a way to hold the rod then you can use an impact wrench to snug up the nut. Without an impact wrench, you can try using a strap wrench on the rod (access via the fender) to hold it a little while the nut is tightened. Might be a little goofy but I suggest wrapping a rag around the wrench handle in case it slips off the nut (the cloth will minimize or prevent damage to the paint).

HTH,

Chris

Click to expand...

Thanks Chris! I went to get an alignment this morning and had them tighten it up as much as they could. As of now the sound went away. I still would like to get a shorter spacer and get 2-3 threads showing up top.

 

nyuk98gt

15 Year Member

Oct 10, 2000

1,427

6

79

Chesterfield, MO

Jan 10, 2013

#9

• Jan 10, 2013

• #9

Scott:

Glad your shop got things fixed up for you! I suspect that most of us "enthusiasts" are really bothered by noises that wouldn't bother just plain folk, lol.

The instructions I got with my Maximum Motorsports c/c plates was to use the minimum number of spacers below the plates so that the strut travel would be maximized. They suggest putting a straightedge (cloth-wrapped 2 x 4) across the fenders and leave a little daylight between the strut rod tip and the straightedge. Your shop will know what to do. It is quite possible (likely) that this is how they got to the arrangement of spacers installed. If you see rub marks on your hood, you need to have them move a spacer!!

Chris

 

SCOTT REYNOLDS

New Member

Jul 29, 2012

8

0

1

Okinawa-shi, Okinawa, Japan

Jan 10, 2013

#10

• Jan 10, 2013

• #10

Well I thought it was gone, but it was not truly. I have been trying different configurations with the spacers. According to the Steeda instructions, I need to be using the short bushing down below. I'm going to call them in the morning to get their input. My bump stop has been trimmed by the original install shop.

http://www.steeda.com/store/uploads/4-bolt-caster-camber-plates-94-1.pdf

 

SCOTT REYNOLDS

New Member

Jul 29, 2012

8

0

1

Okinawa-shi, Okinawa, Japan

Jan 11, 2013

#11

• Jan 11, 2013

• #11

Well no idea what the hell is causing this. I've tried numerous spacing configurations and even called Steeda to get their input. I don't have any more time to work on it since I'll be leaving town soon and the Mustang will go back in the garage for a few months. I will re-engage it when I get back and take to the race shop to have them find out what it is. My emergency plan is to switch to some MM plates and Bilstein struts that have a better setup underneath.