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Fortune 500 Series Coilover 3 Part Review.

Suspension/Stiffening
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#143 ·
I am right there with you on this. It started with just one doing it but now any time I go slowly over slightly uneven road I get a pop from any given corner. It is so load outside that I can hear the echo off of walls and other cars when my windows are open. It doesn't happen/ I don't notice it over sharper bumps or at speed. I can live with it if I have to but I am going to start greasing everything I can find to see if I can reduce it.
 
#144 ·
mickle said:
I am right there with you on this. It started with just one doing it but now any time I go slowly over slightly uneven road I get a pop from any given corner. It is so load outside that I can hear the echo off of walls and other cars when my windows are open. It doesn't happen/ I don't notice it over sharper bumps or at speed. I can live with it if I have to but I am going to start greasing everything I can find to see if I can reduce it.
Click to expand...
One thing i noticed is when i AutoX or do aggressive driving my bottom spring perches start to loosen just slightly which allows the springs to move a little which causes more noise. Its not like they are loose, the spring can just slightly spin.
 
#147 ·
mickle said:
I am right there with you on this. It started with just one doing it but now any time I go slowly over slightly uneven road I get a pop from any given corner. It is so load outside that I can hear the echo off of walls and other cars when my windows are open. It doesn't happen/ I don't notice it over sharper bumps or at speed. I can live with it if I have to but I am going to start greasing everything I can find to see if I can reduce it.
Click to expand...
sounds exactly like what mine are doing!
 
#148 ·
I just wanted to respond to this thread to share my personal opinion/experience with Fortune products and support. I have dealt with a lot of coilovers brands over the years, and I can honestly say when it comes to customer service Fortune is one of the best. A lot of similar companies are very difficult to get a hold of and aren't much help when you do speak with them. Terry at Fortune really does his best to work with customers and support the products Fortune sells. Another thing that is unique about Fortune is the fact that they regularly improve their products. The 500 series are currently on the 4th version. They have double digressive valving now and have also been improved in several other ways.

I have been speaking with Terry about some of these noise complaints. As someone who deals with many different brands of coilovers I can assure everyone that this is not something unique to Fortune. Depending on what kind of noise we're talking about and how severe it is this is typical of a lot of pillow ball top mount coilovers. You are going from soft rubber top mounts to a solid metal on metal bearing. Performance and handling will be significantly improved since there will be almost zero unwanted strut movement, but as with any lower compliance suspension part the possible trade off is a slight increase in noise/harshness/vibration.

I suggested a solution to this issue. Having the option to re-use factory rubber top mounts should pretty much eliminate the possibility for noise. Fortune agreed and is going to be offering a street/comfort option next year. This is the same thing many high end European brands such as AST, Moton, Bilstein and KW do. The trade off is more strut movement and less precise handling, but for some people this will be a worth while compromise. You will also be able to choose custom spring rates for no additional charge which will allow you to get exactly the results you are looking for. Anyway, I just wanted to put in the good word for Fortune. They are a good company which is why we have offered and supported their full line for years. I would be happy to personally speak to anyone who has questions about these or who is experiencing issues with them whether they bought them from us or not. Going forward I think we will be able to make everyone happy with this new OEM top mount option.

-Geoff
 
#149 ·
CygnusPerformance said:
I have been speaking with Terry about some of these noise complaints. As someone who deals with many different brands of coilovers I can assure everyone that this is not something unique to Fortune. Depending on what kind of noise we're talking about and how severe it is this is typical of a lot of pillow ball top mount coilovers. You are going from soft rubber top mounts to a solid metal on metal bearing. Performance and handling will be significantly improved since there will be almost zero unwanted strut movement, but as with any lower compliance suspension part the possible trade off is a slight increase in noise/harshness/vibration.
Click to expand...
As someone who is experiencing excessive noise from these coilovers I would have to agree that there is plenty of noise to be expected from installing these. I also do not set unreasonable expectations for a set of coils at this price. That said, I don't feel that the noises that I am getting is "normal for this type of suspension". Firstly, they did not make any noise for many months (beyond what I expected) and then started the loud clicking. Second, I have had several passengers that have cars with various different coilovers (one is another STi) and they question the noises every time and everyone agrees that it is not a "normal coilover noise".

I had contacted FA directly about this and they respond quickly, as always, but they don't have any help to offer besides having me send the suspension in with a warranty claim form. Normally this is a perfectly acceptable solution but unfortunately this is not really an option for me as I am still finishing the autox season as well as the fact that this is my DD. Keep in mind, though, I do not blame FA for my situation and inability to get the suspension to them for inspection. I am not writing to complain about the company at all. I am just hoping that we can come together and determine what the cause of this is so I can fix it!

Does anyone know if the V4 shocks can be used with the V3 parts? I would be interested in upgrading to the new shocks for the better rear adjusters (as well as seeing if it's the shocks that are making the noise).

Has anyone investigated the pillow ball bearing for being the culprit? I noticed a bit of "discharge" from my fronts that look greasy and rusty. I wonder if it is binding and creating the pop/click? Also, with that said, I have noticed rust coming from there as well as several other parts including the bolts that adjust the camber/hold the top hat together. I know that there are many levels of SS but if you're gonna advertise that these are resistant to rust because of the use of SS and aluminium then why not just use better fasteners etc that wont rust?
 
#150 ·
OK!
I'm gonna try to help those who are experiencing noises with there coilovers...

-Make sure to upgrade to the roller bearing kit from FA which are an upgraded option. Also note that the original lubricant they use will eventually wash away threw time so you must maintain/ upkeep the coilovers/ washers/ springs & contact areas.

You need to understand that NVH is to be expected but the question is....whats a tolerable amount. Being that there is allot more load and force going threw ALL of the suspension components... more maintenance is needed and a higher NVH will be noticed.
With that being said:

This is what is needed to keep the squeaking noises from the coilovers away. Remember this is not to be used on the stock normal rubber bushings and be sure to take some time to understand the type of uses of this specific lubricant. Lithium Grease, Lubricant | White Lithium Grease Spray | WD-40 Specialist

Since the control arms are going threw a larger load and force and they are not upgraded bushings then this is the lubricant to use on OEM style rubber bushings...Silicone Lubricant, Grease | Silicone Spray Lubricants | WD-40 Specialist

One must also go under the car and re-tighten all nuts and bolts of the suspension as follows:
-Large front sub-frame U brace. (this part is very large and secures the front end of the vehicle). Re-tighten all bolts with a breaker bar and always remember not to over tighten.
-OEM or after market ALK bolts to spec.
-Sway bars and endlinks can be lubed and tightened to spec. Don't forget the brackets...
-LUBE/ spray rear outrigger mounts and bolts and rear sub-frame. Mines made massive amounts of noises and were loose + they needed lube.
-Remove rear seat (GDB chassis) and re-tighten the bars were the rear seats go and the rear seat floor brace (the brace the rear seat sits on that connects the rear door jams together). This made a very nice difference...

Look forward to my detailed review on my 510's V4 review...
Ok... now I'm gonna go drift around a U-turn....LOL....:lol:

Peace....


Feel free to tighten and lube chassis nuts & bolts. Also spray the appropriate lube to the appropriate area as this is critical for that particular component.
 
#151 ·
Gami004pilot said:
OK!
I'm gonna try to help those who are experiencing noises with there coilovers...

-Make sure to upgrade to the roller bearing kit from FA which are an upgraded option. Also note that the original lubricant they use will eventually wash away threw time so you must maintain/ upkeep the coilovers/ washers/ springs & contact areas.

You need to understand that NVH is to be expected but the question is....whats a tolerable amount. Being that there is allot more load and force going threw ALL of the suspension components... more maintenance is needed and a higher NVH will be noticed.
With that being said:

This is what is needed to keep the squeaking noises from the coilovers away. Remember this is not to be used on the stock normal rubber bushings and be sure to take some time to understand the type of uses of this specific lubricant. Lithium Grease, Lubricant | White Lithium Grease Spray | WD-40 Specialist

Since the control arms are going threw a larger load and force and they are not upgraded bushings then this is the lubricant to use on OEM style rubber bushings...Silicone Lubricant, Grease | Silicone Spray Lubricants | WD-40 Specialist

One must also go under the car and re-tighten all nuts and bolts of the suspension as follows:
-Large front sub-frame U brace. (this part is very large and secures the front end of the vehicle). Re-tighten all bolts with a breaker bar and always remember not to over tighten.
-OEM or after market ALK bolts to spec.
-Sway bars and endlinks can be lubed and tightened to spec. Don't forget the brackets...
-LUBE/ spray rear outrigger mounts and bolts and rear sub-frame. Mines made massive amounts of noises and were loose + they needed lube.
-Remove rear seat (GDB chassis) and re-tighten the bars were the rear seats go and the rear seat floor brace (the brace the rear seat sits on that connects the rear door jams together). This made a very nice difference...

Look forward to my detailed review on my 510's V4 review...
Ok... now I'm gonna go drift around a U-turn....LOL....:lol:

Peace....


Feel free to tighten and lube chassis nuts & bolts. Also spray the appropriate lube to the appropriate area as this is critical for that particular component.
Click to expand...
Ive literally done everything you just mentioned and still have the noises on my gen 4 510's with swift springs. I have the roller bearing upgrade, the thrust bearing plates, ive relubed them with white lithium grease, played with the preload, torqued all botls to spec, tried other types of grease just as a way of testing to see which grease is best, and still nothing. I have popping noises whenever driving under 5 mph in a parking lot or pulling out of spaces in reverse. Super annoying and I feel embarrassed to even drive with anyone because I always have to explain why my suspension is so noisy :(
 
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#152 ·
Everytime i drive my car and have to back up and turn my wheel. All i have to say to myself or my passenger is got damn! It's a loud creaking noise. I've been very patient with fortune auto but its really driving me nuts that their no solution to this. Im starting to lose it.
 
#153 ·
Try installing the stock suspension and see if its the coilovers themselves. If the noises are gone then surely speak to FA. You guys might have a faulty coilover.

I'm lovin my 510's V4's with Swifts...(best modification yet)
I lubed everything prior to install on the coilover itself. I have tons of bracing and almost every single bushing made by TIC and Whiteline installed on my car. The car handles like nothing I have ever driven... and its truly a dream...

I think you guys that are having these issues with noises need to talk to FA. Hopefully you can get your issues resolved. But I would try removing them first even though its a pain in the ass...relube them, preload them, spray the silicon grease spray on the bushings of the car and lastly install the coilover.

Hope this info helps...

My subie...
Image
 
#154 · (Edited)
I actually can't believe I'm typing this right now but after my previous post I was remotivated to grease it up and see if I can resolve the popping noises. So after about 2 hours, some white lithium grease and slightly more preload, all my popping noises seem to have subsided for now. I basically greased every contact point between the spring, spring perches, roller bearings, and thrust sheets. Note, my coils had some gravel between the spring and spring perches so that may have also contributed to my noises. I cleaned the spring perches before greasing everything up. My theory is that these coils just need longer boots to protect small pieces of gravel from getting between the spring, spring perch and roller bearings. I'm anxious to see what happens over time. These coils will most likely need regreasing and cleanings every six months to operate quietly. Hope this helps some of you guys out.
 
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#155 ·
ThisIsWhyiSTI said:
I actually can't believe I'm typing this right now but after my previous post I was remotivated to grease it up and see if I can resolve the popping noises. So after about 2 hours, some white lithium grease and slightly more preload, all my popping noises seem to have subsided for now. I basically greased every contact point between the spring, spring perches, roller bearings, and thrust sheets. Note, my coils had some gravel between the spring and spring perches so that may have also contributed to my noises. I cleaned the spring perches before greasing everything up. My theory is that these coils just need longer boots to protect small pieces of gravel from getting between the spring, spring perch and roller bearings. I'm anxious to see what happens over time. These coils will most likely need regreasing and cleanings every six months to operate quietly. Hope this helps some of you guys out.
Click to expand...

Told ya....lol... A good lube will help out. But this needs to be done quite often so the bushings can become properly lubricated.
I totally agree on the boots.... They need to be longer for sure.
 
#157 ·
mcganz121 said:
My Fortune 500's make the same terrible sound... It is really getting old... Lubed them up and the sound came back a week later.

Video below...

Fortune Auto Click
Click to expand...
I preload my springs to a quarter inch front and rear then go an extra 1/16th of an inch for good measure. I used a bunch of white lithium grease, NOT THE SPRAY, use the actual cream. Use A LOT OF IT. On each perch, the plastic spacers, the springs, etc. Synch everything down and you are good to go. I noticed that if the springs were too loose they would make noise, but also if they were too tight. Its a fine line where they wont make noise. But once you get that point they will be quite. Work through it, they are amazing coilovers for the price i absolutely love mine for DD and AutoX.
 
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