Horrible noise after Z1 upper control arm install
 

Well I installed my Z1 upper control arms (street version) and I have a horrible noise coming from the front end. I even followed the instructions to a "T"..

I have even greased and regreased to no avail.. Any thoughts?

http://youtu.be/0bgVhKT0C2k

If you can't feel it in the steering wheel, it may just be a shield/cover/plate/&c that you didn't get quite right or knocked loose and didn't notice.

If you can feel it in the steering wheel, I'd take it to my favorite alignment shop and get them to check it.

Lol already did when I got the alignment.. Alignment guy couldn't find anything wrong...

And the car drives fine... Cannot feel it in the wheel.

possible the locknut on the height adjustment for your coil over got knocked loose during the install?

Nope.. I'm on stock shocks with swift springs..

Try bouncing the front corners of the car and see if you can get it to make the noise.

If the frequency of the noise changes with engine speed, it may be something coming in contact with a belt, pulley or other moving part.

Just guessing.

Ok I'll give that a shot

Did you just put the springs on as well? Almost sounds like the nut on top of your strut is not all the way tight.

Yes I did the install my self. I torqued all the nuts and bolts back to spec. And I did the spring install about 3 weeks before I installed the control arms.. And when I did the springs there was no noise what so ever.. It only started after I installed the control arms..

Same on mine
 

I installed the Z1 upper arms also and I am having quite a bit of noise my self.
I had the alignment done professionally. I will be making an appointment to take it in and see if they can find out what the noise is caused from.

Is it the same noise I'm having?

Is the sound when you hit bumps? Could be depending on how agressive your camber and how dropped you are, you may be tapping the inner fender where it attaches to the fender itself.

Are you talking about the ball joint?

I'm on swifts.. 1.5" lower in the fromt.. And my from camber is at -2°

I have an appointment for Friday with the shop that did my install. Ill post what they find out. I have same setup as you, stock struts with swift springs and Z1 upper control arms. I love how it rides and handles but lots of noise going on uneven roads and bumps dips etc.

Awesome!! Please keep me posted!!

Dropped of car at he shop at lunch today.
I'll let you know what they find out.
They are the premier suspension shop here for modified cars IMHO.
There was a new Chevy SS there getting lowered and an exhaust done when I dropped off the Z, and I see lots of lowered old hot rods there all the time.

I also let them know what John@Z1 posted about the torque spec.

Ok awesome thanks for keeping me posted. Tomorrow at noon I'll try to look at mine and see what I can do.

picked up my Z from the shop and no more loud noises from the front end. The Mechanic retorqued the upper bolts and lubricated the bushing with marine grade synthetic grease.
Sounds as quiet as stock now.

Hope you have the same results.

That's good to hear, but what does "retorqued" mean exactly?

Bolts were loosened and re tightened according to Z1's specs.
To make sure they were the correct torque seems to have fixed my car's VERY squeaky/ noisy front end.

Wonka did you figure out what was cousing your front end noise?

Unfortunately no... Work called me in.. So I was forced to reschedule my attempt to fix it till this upcoming weekend..

Idk if the directions stated this but EVERYTHING suspension should be torqued with the car on the ground. What I do is lower the rotors onto wood then tighten. If you tightened in the air it could be your problem. That noise is very suspension related. Somethings not right and loose.

UPDATE!!!!

Well this morning I tore back in to the upper control arms.. I loosened the two bolts that hold on the arms to the frame. I then used a grease gun on the two grease points.. (Note I put enough grease in the bushings to the point they were starting to pop out) then I sprayed some white lithium grease on both sides on the bushings that touch the frame. I then I used a jack with a block of wood and compressed the suspension. Then retorqued the bolts to factory specs. After about 1/2 a mile there was no more noise!! :happydance::driving:

Glad to hear you fixed the problem. I will be purchasing these control arms soon.