Noise from Coilovers

Scott @ RA · 12-12-2010, 04:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mt Tam I am

Sorry to Jeff. It is interesting that a fight seemed imminent here on this thread, over an implication I did not hear, only to be immediately resolved civilly. This type of camaraderie is what makes the370z.com so pleasant.

^^^ Completely agree.

sig11 · 12-13-2010, 10:12 AM

That sounds EXACTLY like when my sway bars were loose. I didn't get enough torque on the sway/end link bolt when we installed them. That's the first thing I'd check and it's pretty quick and easy. I would grease the bushings while I was down there too if they have zerks.

Jeffblue · 12-13-2010, 10:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sig11

That sounds EXACTLY like when my sway bars were loose. I didn't get enough torque on the sway/end link bolt when we installed them. That's the first thing I'd check and it's pretty quick and easy. I would grease the bushings while I was down there too if they have zerks.

thanks! sorry to sound like a noob, but 'zerks'

? what kind of grease should i use.

you are giving me hope

are these the bolts that 370zforme posted pictures of?

is this the sound too? i think thats pretty similar to what i have going on sound-wise.

CFZ · 12-13-2010, 11:00 AM

Its kinda hard to tell from the first videos, but if it is that constant rattling noise you should take a look at your pillowball mounts. I have have owned several sets of coils on my other vehicles, and when the pillow ball upper mounts wear out they will make that exact same noise. You should check to see any play in them not only fore and aft but also up and down.

It may be loose.

Jeffblue · 12-13-2010, 11:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CFZ

Its kinda hard to tell from the first videos, but if it is that constant rattling noise you should take a look at your pillowball mounts. I have have owned several sets of coils on my other vehicles, and when the pillow ball upper mounts wear out they will make that exact same noise. You should check to see any play in them not only fore and aft but also up and down.

It may be loose.

well its only been 3 weeks, so they shouldn't be worn out, but how do i check for play?

sig11 · 12-13-2010, 11:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jeffblue

thanks! sorry to sound like a noob, but 'zerks'

? what kind of grease should i use.

you are giving me hope

are these the bolts that 370zforme posted pictures of?

is this the sound too? i think thats pretty similar to what i have going on sound-wise.

Zerk is just a term for grease fitting. If you have the stock sway bars you won't have any. I just use regular lithium grease. That video sounds about right to me too.

370zforme's pics are pretty good. The bolts circled in black were what were loose in my case. Takes two wrenches to tighten them iirc. Check both sides just to be sure.

Jeffblue · 12-13-2010, 11:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sig11

Zerk is just a term for grease fitting. If you have the stock sway bars you won't have any. I just use regular lithium grease. That video sounds about right to me too.

370zforme's pics are pretty good. The bolts circled in black were what were loose in my case. Takes two wrenches to tighten them iirc. Check both sides just to be sure.

thanks, i will try this tonight, hopefully all goes well. is there any torque spec or just as hard as i can?

sig11 · 12-13-2010, 12:13 PM

I think it is 110lb-ft but I could be wrong.

Jeffblue · 12-13-2010, 12:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sig11

I think it is 110lb-ft but I could be wrong.

so basically, really damn tight. i have a torque wrench, if it fits in the area i guess i'll use it, but i guess it would be kind of easy to tell if they were lose.

ChrisSlicks · 12-13-2010, 12:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jeffblue

so basically, really damn tight. i have a torque wrench, if it fits in the area i guess i'll use it, but i guess it would be kind of easy to tell if they were lose.

The rear sway bar mounts are torqued to 33 ft/lbs and the end links are torqued to 41 ft/lbs (see my install thread).

My sway bar bushings dry up pretty quickly, I re-lube them every 6 months. That tends to make more of a creaking noise though.

Make sure the spring isn't loose in it's perch when the rear is unloaded, if it is then the rear shock needs to be adjusted.

CFZ · 12-13-2010, 01:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jeffblue

well its only been 3 weeks, so they shouldn't be worn out, but how do i check for play?

I am not saying they are warn out. I am just saying maybe you should try retightening the top mounts.

Also 110lbs for sway bars, is rediculous. Thats tighter than wheels lugs, or just about anything else on the vehicle. Maybe the Axle bolt might be about that range, but I dont even think the axle is that tight.

Anyways jack up each corner so that there is no weight on the shock and shake the shock around to see if you can recreate the sound. That should help you better pinpoint where the sound is coming from.

Jeffblue · 12-13-2010, 02:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ChrisSlicks

The rear sway bar mounts are torqued to 33 ft/lbs and the end links are torqued to 41 ft/lbs (see my install thread).

My sway bar bushings dry up pretty quickly, I re-lube them every 6 months. That tends to make more of a creaking noise though.

Make sure the spring isn't loose in it's perch when the rear is unloaded, if it is then the rear shock needs to be adjusted.

how do i tighten the top mounts. is that the part under the adjuster?

Quote:

Originally Posted by CFZ

I am not saying they are warn out. I am just saying maybe you should try retightening the top mounts.

Also 110lbs for sway bars, is rediculous. Thats tighter than wheels lugs, or just about anything else on the vehicle. Maybe the Axle bolt might be about that range, but I dont even think the axle is that tight.

Anyways jack up each corner so that there is no weight on the shock and shake the shock around to see if you can recreate the sound. That should help you better pinpoint where the sound is coming from.

i will try that tonight. the sound is definitely coming from the right rear so i will try that for both.

thanks so much to everyone chiming in to help out, i really appreciate it!

sig11 · 12-13-2010, 02:38 PM

Gah. You're right. I don't know what made me think 110.

Jeffblue · 12-13-2010, 07:31 PM

so i spoke with BC and they said it sounded like an issue with the preload on the spring. He sent me this on how to adjust it.

Quote:

This is actually an install procedure for a rear independent but towards the bottom it covers preload.

For the rears what you need to do is remove the stock strut and spring
Take the spring seat collars and set them at the same level not tightening them yet
Put the springs on, put the tires back on and bring the car to the floor
See if the height of the car is the desired height, if not then raise it back up doing the prev steps
(be sure to keep the height about 1/4" higher than what you want as you still need to set preload)
Once you have achieved the height you want, raise the car back up, take out the springs and spring seats
tighten the collars on the spring seat and reinstall (if you try to tighten them while on the car there is a possibility you can strip them)
Take your spare jack and place under the hub raise the hub so that the spring sits snug but not compressed

Now install the strut, tightening the top only
Measure the distance from the center of the hub to the fender
Raise jack 1/4" creating the preload on the spring
Scroll the lower mount of the strut up so that its level with its mounting bolt, slide the bolt through it and tighten
At this point you should have the spring preloaded 1/4" and the ride height at your desired level.

Junior370z · 12-13-2010, 08:38 PM

I had a noise somewhere toward the rear end when I installed my coilovers. I was stupid to what the noise was. I first though it was the top shock mounts in the rear, then I thought it was the shock itself. I checked and rechecked but everything was tight. What I discovered was that the foam fill in for the spare and stuff was the culprit. I know it sounds insane, but when I stuffed a rag to snug everything up back the the noise stopped. I removed my spare so the passenger side foam insert was loose and rattled while I drove. My shock are set somewhat stiff so it rattled quite a bit. It doesn't hurt to check that. I keep the rag there for now until I figure something else out. Carpet back there cover it up anyway. Hope this helps.

12-13-2010, 08:38 PM	#30 (permalink)
Junior370z A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Las Vegas Age: 49 Posts: 1,024 Drives: over the speed limit Rep Power: 293	I had a noise somewhere toward the rear end when I installed my coilovers. I was stupid to what the noise was. I first though it was the top shock mounts in the rear, then I thought it was the shock itself. I checked and rechecked but everything was tight. What I discovered was that the foam fill in for the spare and stuff was the culprit. I know it sounds insane, but when I stuffed a rag to snug everything up back the the noise stopped. I removed my spare so the passenger side foam insert was loose and rattled while I drove. My shock are set somewhat stiff so it rattled quite a bit. It doesn't hurt to check that. I keep the rag there for now until I figure something else out. Carpet back there cover it up anyway. Hope this helps. __________________ DON'T DO IT! ( Click to show/hide ) Stillen CBECAI-U/D PulleyGround KitSwaysSetrab Oil CoolerIchiba Rear Camber KitAgility CoiloverBerk HFCTechnosquare TuneGT-R ButtonVenaci MeshSP Performance Cross Drilled/Slotted RotorsSPC Toe BoltsBomex LipMud flapsAero Jacket Type III WingSold

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12-13-2010, 10:12 AM	#17 (permalink)
sig11 A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Detroit Posts: 1,294 Drives: 09 370Z Red Sport-MT Rep Power: 17	That sounds EXACTLY like when my sway bars were loose. I didn't get enough torque on the sway/end link bolt when we installed them. That's the first thing I'd check and it's pretty quick and easy. I would grease the bushings while I was down there too if they have zerks.

12-13-2010, 11:00 AM	#19 (permalink)
CFZ Base Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: F-Town Posts: 134 Drives: 2010 370Z Rep Power: 233	Its kinda hard to tell from the first videos, but if it is that constant rattling noise you should take a look at your pillowball mounts. I have have owned several sets of coils on my other vehicles, and when the pillow ball upper mounts wear out they will make that exact same noise. You should check to see any play in them not only fore and aft but also up and down. It may be loose.

12-13-2010, 12:13 PM	#23 (permalink)
sig11 A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Detroit Posts: 1,294 Drives: 09 370Z Red Sport-MT Rep Power: 17	I think it is 110lb-ft but I could be wrong.

12-13-2010, 02:38 PM	#28 (permalink)
sig11 A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Detroit Posts: 1,294 Drives: 09 370Z Red Sport-MT Rep Power: 17	Gah. You're right. I don't know what made me think 110.