Clunking After Suspension Upgrades
08 July 2015, 04:03 PM
#1
Clunking After Suspension Upgrades
I had some Bilstein B14 coilovers fitted last week and noticed a bit of clunking and crashing over moderate sized potholes. I raised the front by 10mm as it was quite low and there wasnt much tension on the springs, This helped a lot but was still some clunking over rough terrain.
I had a whitleine anti lift kit and a roll centre / bump steer kit fitted today and the clunking is now more evident. We checked and raised the height front and rear now the springs have settled but there is still more clunking than i would deem acceptable taking in account they are coilovers and are more noisy.
The rears are silent its just the fronts that are clunky, Im using my oe top mounts which are only 12 months old and everything else feel solid including drop links and bushes etc.
Has anybody had similar issues with the Bilstein's with either oe or aftermarket top mounts or can anybody comment on how they find theirs ??
Im having my car setup next week by Peter Cambridge at PCA Dynamics so all the geometry will be sorted out then.
Cheers
Dubzy
I had a whitleine anti lift kit and a roll centre / bump steer kit fitted today and the clunking is now more evident. We checked and raised the height front and rear now the springs have settled but there is still more clunking than i would deem acceptable taking in account they are coilovers and are more noisy.
The rears are silent its just the fronts that are clunky, Im using my oe top mounts which are only 12 months old and everything else feel solid including drop links and bushes etc.
Has anybody had similar issues with the Bilstein's with either oe or aftermarket top mounts or can anybody comment on how they find theirs ??
Im having my car setup next week by Peter Cambridge at PCA Dynamics so all the geometry will be sorted out then.
Cheers
Dubzy
Last edited by Dubzy; 08 July 2015 at 04:05 PM.
08 July 2015, 04:41 PM
#2
I had some Bilstein B14 coilovers fitted last week and noticed a bit of clunking and crashing over moderate sized potholes. I raised the front by 10mm as it was quite low and there wasnt much tension on the springs, This helped a lot but was still some clunking over rough terrain.
I had a whitleine anti lift kit and a roll centre / bump steer kit fitted today and the clunking is now more evident. We checked and raised the height front and rear now the springs have settled but there is still more clunking than i would deem acceptable taking in account they are coilovers and are more noisy.
The rears are silent its just the fronts that are clunky, Im using my oe top mounts which are only 12 months old and everything else feel solid including drop links and bushes etc.
Has anybody had similar issues with the Bilstein's with either oe or aftermarket top mounts or can anybody comment on how they find theirs ??
Im having my car setup next week by Peter Cambridge at PCA Dynamics so all the geometry will be sorted out then.
Cheers
Dubzy
I had a whitleine anti lift kit and a roll centre / bump steer kit fitted today and the clunking is now more evident. We checked and raised the height front and rear now the springs have settled but there is still more clunking than i would deem acceptable taking in account they are coilovers and are more noisy.
The rears are silent its just the fronts that are clunky, Im using my oe top mounts which are only 12 months old and everything else feel solid including drop links and bushes etc.
Has anybody had similar issues with the Bilstein's with either oe or aftermarket top mounts or can anybody comment on how they find theirs ??
Im having my car setup next week by Peter Cambridge at PCA Dynamics so all the geometry will be sorted out then.
Cheers
Dubzy
08 July 2015, 04:47 PM
#4
Everything is assembled correctly, done by a competent subaru mechanic and there seems to be no evident play anywhere, There is a fair amount of tension on the springs now ie no slack when jacked up. Seems odd its thats its now even more evident with the latest bits added.
Last edited by Dubzy; 10 July 2015 at 12:19 PM.
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10 July 2015, 09:18 AM
#9
Hmm that seems odd. Be a bit careful with the preload on the spring when the damper is at full droop though, other wise they'll feel horrible and probably a bit bouncy 
You won't the spring held captive...but not really under any proper tension when the car is jacked up.
You won't the spring held captive...but not really under any proper tension when the car is jacked up.
10 July 2015, 12:07 PM
#11
It does sound as though the noise is from the top hat area on mine, everything is proper tight though so im a bit stumped now. I may have to enquire about different top mount alternatives.
What height have you got yours set to Martin ??
I thought there would be a few more users with these fitted, would like some input from how others are getting on with them..
What height have you got yours set to Martin ??
I thought there would be a few more users with these fitted, would like some input from how others are getting on with them..
Last edited by Dubzy; 10 July 2015 at 12:09 PM. Reason: addy
12 July 2015, 12:51 AM
#13
Ive read there was an issue on the legacy where they needed an extra washer / spacer to go in the top hat so maybe thats the issue here too.. Let me know how you get on before i start replacing everything lol.
Lovely car btw
12 July 2015, 12:18 PM
#15
I think mine is just slightly lower, at present its 340mm front and rear. Im going to raise the front another 10mm tomorrow to see if it alters anything.
Ive read there was an issue on the legacy where they needed an extra washer / spacer to go in the top hat so maybe thats the issue here too.. Let me know how you get on before i start replacing everything lol.
Lovely car btw
Ive read there was an issue on the legacy where they needed an extra washer / spacer to go in the top hat so maybe thats the issue here too.. Let me know how you get on before i start replacing everything lol.
Lovely car btw
Well I'll try them when the part arrives and update should be end of the week.. I hope it fixes the problem as I won't be able to cope with the knock..
Martin
16 July 2015, 07:37 AM
#18
The knocking on mine was getting worse so yesterday morning i dropped the car back to the garage where i had them fitted and left the car with them to investigate the issue.... I got a message yesterday afternoon saying the car is ready for collection.
WELL IM EXTREMELY HAPPY TO SAY THE SUSPENSION IS NOW SILENT, no knocks or clunks what so ever. They removed the front shocks and found the washers were damaged that mate up to the top mounts. It would appear the supplied washers are a poor fit and were allowing some movement, they replaced them with a slightly larger washer and they are now silent. The ride quality is now excellent and can cope with speed bumps and pot holes with ease, the car is solid but the ride is still compliant and still comfortable enough to use on a daily driver..
Dubzy
WELL IM EXTREMELY HAPPY TO SAY THE SUSPENSION IS NOW SILENT, no knocks or clunks what so ever. They removed the front shocks and found the washers were damaged that mate up to the top mounts. It would appear the supplied washers are a poor fit and were allowing some movement, they replaced them with a slightly larger washer and they are now silent. The ride quality is now excellent and can cope with speed bumps and pot holes with ease, the car is solid but the ride is still compliant and still comfortable enough to use on a daily driver..
Dubzy
16 July 2015, 09:11 AM
#19
The knocking on mine was getting worse so yesterday morning i dropped the car back to the garage where i had them fitted and left the car with them to investigate the issue.... I got a message yesterday afternoon saying the car is ready for collection.
WELL IM EXTREMELY HAPPY TO SAY THE SUSPENSION IS NOW SILENT, no knocks or clunks what so ever. They removed the front shocks and found the washers were damaged that mate up to the top mounts. It would appear the supplied washers are a poor fit and were allowing some movement, they replaced them with a slightly larger washer and they are now silent. The ride quality is now excellent and can cope with speed bumps and pot holes with ease, the car is solid but the ride is still compliant and still comfortable enough to use on a daily driver..
Dubzy
WELL IM EXTREMELY HAPPY TO SAY THE SUSPENSION IS NOW SILENT, no knocks or clunks what so ever. They removed the front shocks and found the washers were damaged that mate up to the top mounts. It would appear the supplied washers are a poor fit and were allowing some movement, they replaced them with a slightly larger washer and they are now silent. The ride quality is now excellent and can cope with speed bumps and pot holes with ease, the car is solid but the ride is still compliant and still comfortable enough to use on a daily driver..
Dubzy
Martin
