Changed the front shocks last week on MY94 WRX. Brand new KYB same as the OEM shocks.
I stripped the old shocks to get the springs off and re-assembled the new shocks in reverse order. I got the top mounts lined up with the shock by looking from above to make sure they were straight before tighting them down.

While i was at it I also changed the bottom ball joints, steering rack ends and the track rod ends.

Anyway, the car feels fine now, but it sounds like the springs aren't seated correctly. They sort of "click" when i turn corners and sound like they are moving around on the shock. It's quite annoying.

I've read that the springs are supposed to have rubber/plastic coating to stop the noises, but all mine has are the thick rubber bits that sit on top of the springs that seat into the top mounts. There was no noise at all with these springs on the old shocks.

Any suggestions?

Cheers.

 

Try re tightening the nut that attaches the top mount to the damper. The spring might be slipping around.

If that doesn't sort it, take them apart and make sure the conical washer is facing the right way.

Does sound kind of like a creaking and then a popping sound?

Whiteline makes pieces of isolator to stop springs from creaking, but if they didn't squeak before they shouldnt now.

 

The conical washers are the right way up. I was thinking of trying a bit of thin rubber on the base of the springs.
Is there a better way of lining the top mount up with the shock when assembling? It looks straight, but I may have a bonk eye.

 

Right, I've put some rubber under the springs. Cut up a BMX inner tube
Checked the top mounts are tight.
If they still creak and twang then I don't know what to do.

Was thinking of a few small welds on the bottom of the spring to the shock.

 

Nope, didn't work. Can't be the top mounts as they were fine before.

C'mon, someone must know!

 

Bump

 

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