clunking prob with suspension mods... help plz!

chrisfx811 · 04-08-2004, 09:33 AM

i have recently installed the following suspension mods:
sti pinks
hardened strut mounts
perring rear sway bar and hd mounts

now when driving my rear suspension makes a clunking noise when i go over bumps or rough road surfaces.
i have virtually no wheel gap in the rear with the springs. could this be too low?
i have double checked all the bolts on the sway bar set-up and everything seems to be tight, so i am not sure if this is the prob either.
i still have the stock endlinks for now.

can someone please offer some insight... it is much appreciated.

thanks chris

DMikko · 04-08-2004, 10:06 AM

make sure your swaybar didn't "flip" over on you when installing it and that it's not hitting or binding down there. there's a thread on nasioc about it (STiLLWILL). another issue could be that the top hats weren't oriented correctly on the strut and the springs are clunking around....

mindchatter · 04-08-2004, 10:08 AM

Chris - I have the same suspension set-up as you, aside from the swaybars. I have heard a "clunk" coming from the driver's side front end while cornering and going over bumpy, "washboard" type surfaces. It sounds as though it's emanating from the steering column somewhere. I have done extensive asking at several forums, and BELIEVE the noise I'm describing is a common attribute/complaint amongst Impreza owners going back a few years. Here's a thread from NASIOC that may prove helpful, and is the one I'm referring to. HTH.

http://forums.nasioc.com/forums/show...noise+steering

DMikko · 04-08-2004, 11:43 AM

maybe it's the center diff complaining (thunking) about the loss of traction on the "hopping wheel"

it happens to me and i wrote my thoughts about this in the forumn you linked to above.

with larger swaybars installed they could exasperate the issue

chrisfx811 · 04-11-2004, 07:03 PM

allright, picked up jack and stands @ sears. GOOD PRICES TOO!
basically re-installed the rear sway bar: regreased, set on stiffest setting, retightened after i dropped it.
the noises seem to be all but gone for the most part.
i still get some type of clunking sound when i go over speed bumps or dips. not nearly like before. is this normal for any of you guys with the same mods?

also... my rear end seems to have finally settled and is quite low. i noticed when dropping the car from the stands that the pinks compress about 3 full coils when the car is down. is this how low they should be?
fwiw, i have a sub and amp in my trunk, prolly 50lbs tops.

stiparts@adelphia.net · 04-11-2004, 08:55 PM

Check the tightness of the nut on the strut if the klunk occurs mainly during slow speeds, pulling in and out of driveways, or coming to a stop at a light or stop sign.

chrisfx811 · 04-11-2004, 09:27 PM

^^^ sorry to ask stupid question, but how do i access the strut tops in the rear?
from wheel well?

DMikko · 04-11-2004, 09:29 PM

you have to take the back seat out

DMikko · 04-11-2004, 09:31 PM

oh, and don't over-tighten the strut top nuts. they snap pretty easily. find the correct torque spec.

chrisfx811 · 04-11-2004, 09:58 PM

thx

mindchatter · 04-12-2004, 07:24 AM

14.5ft/lbs on the strut tops. (no more, cause yeah, they will snap off)

Chris - I have a sub enclosure and two amps in my trunk, probably in the 50lb neighborhood.....my pinks in back are low enough to where there's no discernible wheel gap. Myles' ride has the same springs, but w/o the heavy audio set-up, and his car sits 1/2-3/4" higher in the rear than mine. HTH.

Stu

SportyBry · 04-12-2004, 08:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stiparts@adelphia.net

Check the tightness of the nut on the strut if the klunk occurs mainly during slow speeds, pulling in and out of driveways, or coming to a stop at a light or stop sign.

Do you mean the nut on top of the strut (tube) that bolts it to the strut mount ? Or do you mean the strut mount/body nuts or strut/lower knuckle nuts ?

My noise seems to be occuring in exactly the same situation that you described in your post.

-Sporty

**944turboguy** · 04-12-2004, 09:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by StuBrown

14.5ft/lbs on the strut tops. (no more, cause yeah, they will snap off)

Chris - I have a sub enclosure and two amps in my trunk, probably in the 50lb neighborhood.....my pinks in back are low enough to where there's no discernible wheel gap. Myles' ride has the same springs, but w/o the heavy audio set-up, and his car sits 1/2-3/4" higher in the rear than mine. HTH.

Stu

Stu ,..are saying my car is "jacked up" ???? lol ,..thanks alot,....

ops:

SportyBry · 04-14-2004, 06:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by StuBrown

14.5ft/lbs on the strut tops. (no more, cause yeah, they will snap off) -Stu

Crap! I bet that's what happened with mine. It was a real chore tightening down my rear strut bar, and I'll bet my over-zealous tightening broke a stud.

Anyone know what size I'll need to pick up to replace it ?

-Sporty

chrisfx811 · 04-17-2004, 10:08 AM

well, i re-installed the sway bar, end-links, and re-greased the bushings as mentioned. but now, the clunking is back.
i shecked the strut tops and they are all pretty snug.
all i can think of now is to have the struts checked out at the dealer and wait for them to tell me somethings wrong because of the mods i did!

this is very frustrating.

add to this, my horrible mpg ever since i did a snorkus removal mod.
went from 250-275 per tank down to 150-180 per tank!

dang it.... it's a toyota prius next for me!

04-08-2004, 09:33 AM	#1
chrisfx811 The Next Petter Solberg Location: louisville, ky Posts: 946 IWSTI Addict since: Sep 2003 Trader Rating: (0)	i have recently installed the following suspension mods: sti pinks hardened strut mounts perring rear sway bar and hd mounts now when driving my rear suspension makes a clunking noise when i go over bumps or rough road surfaces. i have virtually no wheel gap in the rear with the springs. could this be too low? i have double checked all the bolts on the sway bar set-up and everything seems to be tight, so i am not sure if this is the prob either. i still have the stock endlinks for now. can someone please offer some insight... it is much appreciated. thanks chris This ad is not endorsed by this member. Please register or login to hide this ad.

04-08-2004, 11:43 AM	#4
DMikko STI Driver Location: Seattle, WA Posts: 227 IWSTI Addict since: Dec 2003 Trader Rating: (0)	Victoracers maybe it's the center diff complaining (thunking) about the loss of traction on the "hopping wheel" it happens to me and i wrote my thoughts about this in the forumn you linked to above. with larger swaybars installed they could exasperate the issue

04-11-2004, 09:31 PM	#9
DMikko STI Driver Location: Seattle, WA Posts: 227 IWSTI Addict since: Dec 2003 Trader Rating: (0)	APS BOV oh, and don't over-tighten the strut top nuts. they snap pretty easily. find the correct torque spec.

04-17-2004, 10:08 AM	#15
chrisfx811 The Next Petter Solberg Location: louisville, ky Posts: 946 IWSTI Addict since: Sep 2003 Trader Rating: (0)	well, i re-installed the sway bar, end-links, and re-greased the bushings as mentioned. but now, the clunking is back. i shecked the strut tops and they are all pretty snug. all i can think of now is to have the struts checked out at the dealer and wait for them to tell me somethings wrong because of the mods i did! this is very frustrating. add to this, my horrible mpg ever since i did a snorkus removal mod. went from 250-275 per tank down to 150-180 per tank! dang it.... it's a toyota prius next for me! This ad is not endorsed by this member. Please register or login to hide this ad.

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04-08-2004, 10:06 AM	#2
DMikko STI Driver Location: Seattle, WA Posts: 227 IWSTI Addict since: Dec 2003 Trader Rating: (0)	make sure your swaybar didn't "flip" over on you when installing it and that it's not hitting or binding down there. there's a thread on nasioc about it (STiLLWILL). another issue could be that the top hats weren't oriented correctly on the strut and the springs are clunking around....

04-08-2004, 10:08 AM	#3
mindchatter Professional STI Racer Car: SR40'd '04 STi Location: New England Posts: 613 IWSTI Addict since: Nov 2002 Trader Rating: (0)	Chris - I have the same suspension set-up as you, aside from the swaybars. I have heard a "clunk" coming from the driver's side front end while cornering and going over bumpy, "washboard" type surfaces. It sounds as though it's emanating from the steering column somewhere. I have done extensive asking at several forums, and BELIEVE the noise I'm describing is a common attribute/complaint amongst Impreza owners going back a few years. Here's a thread from NASIOC that may prove helpful, and is the one I'm referring to. HTH. http://forums.nasioc.com/forums/show...noise+steering

04-11-2004, 07:03 PM	#5
chrisfx811 The Next Petter Solberg Location: louisville, ky Posts: 946 IWSTI Addict since: Sep 2003 Trader Rating: (0)	allright, picked up jack and stands @ sears. GOOD PRICES TOO! basically re-installed the rear sway bar: regreased, set on stiffest setting, retightened after i dropped it. the noises seem to be all but gone for the most part. i still get some type of clunking sound when i go over speed bumps or dips. not nearly like before. is this normal for any of you guys with the same mods? also... my rear end seems to have finally settled and is quite low. i noticed when dropping the car from the stands that the pinks compress about 3 full coils when the car is down. is this how low they should be? fwiw, i have a sub and amp in my trunk, prolly 50lbs tops.

04-11-2004, 08:55 PM	#6
stiparts@adelphia.net Junior STI Driver Posts: 121 IWSTI Addict since: Apr 2004 Trader Rating: (0)	Check the tightness of the nut on the strut if the klunk occurs mainly during slow speeds, pulling in and out of driveways, or coming to a stop at a light or stop sign.

04-11-2004, 09:27 PM	#7
chrisfx811 The Next Petter Solberg Location: louisville, ky Posts: 946 IWSTI Addict since: Sep 2003 Trader Rating: (0)	^^^ sorry to ask stupid question, but how do i access the strut tops in the rear? from wheel well?

04-11-2004, 09:29 PM	#8
DMikko STI Driver Location: Seattle, WA Posts: 227 IWSTI Addict since: Dec 2003 Trader Rating: (0)	you have to take the back seat out

04-11-2004, 09:58 PM	#10
chrisfx811 The Next Petter Solberg Location: louisville, ky Posts: 946 IWSTI Addict since: Sep 2003 Trader Rating: (0)	thx

04-12-2004, 07:24 AM	#11
mindchatter Professional STI Racer Car: SR40'd '04 STi Location: New England Posts: 613 IWSTI Addict since: Nov 2002 Trader Rating: (0)	14.5ft/lbs on the strut tops. (no more, cause yeah, they will snap off) Chris - I have a sub enclosure and two amps in my trunk, probably in the 50lb neighborhood.....my pinks in back are low enough to where there's no discernible wheel gap. Myles' ride has the same springs, but w/o the heavy audio set-up, and his car sits 1/2-3/4" higher in the rear than mine. HTH. Stu