Noisy suspension

[NachaLuva]

After i recently put in raised King springs & new KYB struts, i've noticed a horrible "clunking" noise on rebound. Any time the front wheel moves downward more than gently (like when going over a tree root, pothole, or even up my drive!) i get a very loud "clunk" that i can even feel through the pedals. It only is the front (either side) & only on rebound.

We rechecked all the bolts, esp the top main strut nut...all tight.

We checked the bushes...all seem good.

I was hoping it was just the springs "bedding in" but in speaking to others no-ones had this problem.

I'm really worried something will snap when i'm out in the bush. People i've spoken to have no idea what it could be.

Has anyone on the forum had this problem?

Does anyone have any ideas?

 

[Kevin]

Check the lower control arm is not hitting something. Check the endlinks - hit them with a rubber mallet or even the palm of you hand and see if you can get them to make a noise.

 

[NachaLuva]

Rubber mallets a good idea. Weather permitting tomorow i'll try it...thanks

 

[Rally]

Who did the installation? Was the washer and strut top correctly installed?

 

[taza]

Was the washer and strut top correctly installed?

+1

A rubber mallets a good idea!

I have no problems with mine. I do however get some cluncking when going over curbs and rocks from my swaybars but thats because I have removed the bolts and have quick disconnect pins with no washers for more articulation offroad :biggrin:

Let us know what it is when you find out. Im sure most of us are interested to see what it is when you find out.

Cheers
Taza

 

[NachaLuva]

Who did the installation? Was the washer and strut top correctly installed?

I did with help from a friend who has done it a few times before.

Yep we checked, rechecked then re-rechecked the strut top washers, nuts etc

 

[carljwnc]

Strut top bearing???

 

[NachaLuva]

Strut top bearing???

hmmm...how would i check that?

 

[carljwnc]

hmmm...how would i check that?

Try jacking the car up, and on jack stands of course, then lifting and dropping the wheel, pulling/pushing at the top of the strut.

 

[lowwill]

Same issue here. My 05 OBXT I put new coils, kybs struts, with subtle solution 1"spacers. Ride is horrible. I been lifting Land Rovers for years and thought about something more practical. With a little style. Mad vibes all suspension bolts tight. Looking to switch back asap.

 

[taza]

Same issue here. My 05 OBXT I put new coils, kybs struts, with subtle solution 1"spacers. Ride is horrible. I been lifting Land Rovers for years and thought about something more practical. With a little style. Mad vibes all suspension bolts tight. Looking to switch back asap.

Really???? I have new raised and heavy duty springs/coils, KYB's in the rear too and 1" Subtle Solution life block spacers and not an issue. Abit of body roll but nothing too major.....
I just added a front strut brace too which has helped stiffen the front end and handling up.

Taza

 

[mr turbo]

My 05 OBXT I put new coils, kybs struts, with subtle solution 1"spacers. Ride is horrible.

Really???? I have new raised and heavy duty springs/coils, KYB's in the rear too and 1" Subtle Solution life block spacers and not an issue. Abit of body roll but nothing too major.....

I find that quite strange
I have done exactly the same to my Forry & don't really find very much different with it's ride. About the only difference I've noticed is that there is a lot less body roll Especially when I decide to throw it hard into a corner

Regards
Mr Turbo

 

[pezimm]

I find that quite strange
I have done exactly the same to my Forry & don't really find very much different with it's ride. About the only difference I've noticed is that there is a lot less body roll Especially when I decide to throw it hard into a corner

Regards
Mr Turbo

I also find it strange... I've done all these mods, but in stages:

- Had the 1in lift block for about 1 year - no change to the ride quality, just a tiny bit of body roll

- Changed my tyres: bigger Yokos A/T-S - bit noisier on the tarmac, but still pretty good

- About another year later, changed OEM struts and springs with brand new KYB and HD King Springs - now we've got a firmer ride which can be a bit bumpy, but nowhere near bad and certainly no noises such as Nachaluva is having...

Personally, I think that in Nachaluva's case there is something fouling on something when the suspension is articulating, but I'm certain the boys spent quite a bit of time searching for the source of the noise, so it's hard to say...

Pedro.

 

[lowwill]

Wow really guys. Sorry for hijacking this thread. I gonna start st square one again. Starting with the sways I guess. I understand about the dampening rebound. Maybe a brace for it. Looks great though

 

[NachaLuva]

no probs lol...we've all done it

Have had a suggestion from another site. the local guru there said:
"I've had a similar noise come from a strut and turned out to be the extra shoulder on the top of the strut. When I say "shoulder", I mean the bit where the thread (at the very top of the strut) stops and the shock insert has a unmachined part where the Top Hat, Washer and Strut Top Mount all sit. I Found that the shoulder was longer than the original and when the whole thing was done up tight, it was really just tight up against this shoulder. This meant there was movement in those 3 parts, if there was no spring you'd fell it but with the pressure on the spring, it's very hard to see. If I had pics I could explain it better but hope you get the drift"

solution:
"I added another washer in between the top mount and top hat. I had spares lying around but if you don't have any, just work out the thickness and pop down to your local bolt supplies"

So now just waiting to try this...

As far as the handling goes, my suspension was horribly worn
The rear springs were sagging by over 1" & the front was soft as well. The struts were completely shot all round. So now it handles like a dream compared to the way it was! lol.
Really the only flaw is the tyres rolling under cornering but thats to be expected from 70 profile. Lower profile would be great for onroad but then it would suffer offroad so i'll live with it

 

[mr turbo]

I Found that the shoulder was longer than the original and when the whole thing was done up tight, it was really just tight up against this shoulder. This meant there was movement in those 3 parts,.............

solution:
"I added another washer in between the top mount and top hat. I had spares lying around but if you don't have any, just work out the thickness and pop down to your local bolt supplies"

Glad you were able to find what the problem was & able to fix it

As they say, it's always seems to be the cheapest part that causes the problem In this case a few cents for an extra washer

Regards
Mr Turbo

 

[NachaLuva]

havent fixed yet but here's hoping lol.

What i'm disappointed about is why isnt the replacement part IDENTICAL to the original! I should never have had this problem...

 

[pezimm]

no probs lol...we've all done it

Have had a suggestion from another site. the local guru there said:
"I've had a similar noise come from a strut and turned out to be the extra shoulder on the top of the strut. When I say "shoulder", I mean the bit where the thread (at the very top of the strut) stops and the shock insert has a unmachined part where the Top Hat, Washer and Strut Top Mount all sit. I Found that the shoulder was longer than the original and when the whole thing was done up tight, it was really just tight up against this shoulder. This meant there was movement in those 3 parts, if there was no spring you'd fell it but with the pressure on the spring, it's very hard to see. If I had pics I could explain it better but hope you get the drift"

solution:
"I added another washer in between the top mount and top hat. I had spares lying around but if you don't have any, just work out the thickness and pop down to your local bolt supplies"

So now just waiting to try this...

As far as the handling goes, my suspension was horribly worn
The rear springs were sagging by over 1" & the front was soft as well. The struts were completely shot all round. So now it handles like a dream compared to the way it was! lol.
Really the only flaw is the tyres rolling under cornering but thats to be expected from 70 profile. Lower profile would be great for onroad but then it would suffer offroad so i'll live with it

Matt,

I've just re-read this bit of advice and come to think of it, it makes a lot of sense to me now... In other words, your strut thread is "too short" and the nut will hit the end of the thread before it holds the whole package tight... By adding another washer, the nut will tighten with a bit of thread to spare, taking all the clearance out...

I reckon that's your best shot! See you on Sunday!:biggrin:

Pedro.