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Clunking/Knocking Noise from RF BC ER Coilover

Hey guys, I just finished up my install of BC ER coilovers and now have a clunking/knocking sound every time I hit a bump coming from the RF corner. Its

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Old 12-24-2010, 05:42 PM   #1 (permalink)
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Default Clunking/Knocking Noise from RF BC ER Coilover

Hey guys, I just finished up my install of BC ER coilovers and now have a clunking/knocking sound every time I hit a bump coming from the RF corner. Its hard to pinpoint what's making the noise but after several slow rolls it sounds like the spring is clunking under load; but still not sure. Now, I havent hardly been out of my driveway due to the noise. I did drive down my 1/4 mile access road and tossed the car side to side at about 20 mph and everything felt solid and tight. At first the noise sounded like something was bad loose, but I didnt get the feedback that this was the issue. I've taken the tire off 4 times and and recheck bolts and yanked on parts trying to find something loose with no way of duplicating the sound or pinpointed this problem. Being its Christmas Eve, there is no customer support available.

I've even check the sways, they dont seem to be the issue. From what I can tell there is no clearance issues and no rub.

So, until BC opens back up, can you guys throw ideas out there?

Thanks and have a Merry Christmas!

Wes
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Last edited by phantom21; 12-24-2010 at 09:30 PM.
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Old 12-24-2010, 08:32 PM   #2 (permalink)
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You don't know which corner the noise is coming from? Did you preload the rear springs? Put the z on jack stands, don't take the wheels off and pull on the springs, if it moves you need to preload them again.
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Old 12-24-2010, 08:47 PM   #3 (permalink)
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This was with BC BR's...

Noise from Coilovers

Quote:
Originally Posted by Jeffblue View Post
Long story:
basically, the 2 rings on top of the spring, they were practically as LOW as they posible could be. there was like 1 thread left. when the suspension hung loose, there was a gap between the spring and the ring. On the left side there wasn't. i took everything out of the spring assembly. turned the collars enough to get out that to the very last thread, and put everything back. so essentially i have the most preload possible, however, the spring still has a little gap when hanging loose. ii fully expected to not have fixed anything. basically it seems like theres not enough threads on the spring perch, even though i'm lowered .75 inches, it seems like my car is too high or w/e to get enough preload. so anyways, i adjusted that ring maybe HALF a turn. all finished, i expected the sound to be there and was totally surprised that it wasn't.

i honestly think the installer put as much preload as they could, i just put a miniscule amount more, literally i could not possibly pput anymore preload because of the amount of threading on the spring perch. i remember the guys at the shop even saying it was at max preload and complaining how they wanted to add more but couldn't. so i dunno, i think BC might need to modify the design . maybe the sound only presented itself because i'm not lowered that much in the rear. Mike from BC said i'm almost at max height, which doesn't seem to make sense but w/e i'm gonna talk to them tomorrow and explain. i now have this really slight creeking sound but its not all the time, maybe a loose interior panel or something... i dunno, but its not really that bothersome, nowhere nera as bad as that goddamn rumble rattle.

Short story:

It appears as though, based on my ride height (.75" lower than stock, which is not that low), and the fact that i have 210mm springs, i have to max out the preload. However, there really isn't enough threading to do so.

It is my opinion that this was neither installer error, nor was it a defective product. it was just a matter of my ride height and the maximum amount of preload that can be put on the spring based on the amount of threading and the length of the spring. The solution: BC Racing is going to send me 230mm rear springs or spring spacers, whichever i want. i am most likely going to go with the 230mm rear springs. After my little escapade last night, i feel totally comfortable swapping them.

A major rep goes to Mike and BC Racing for talking to me on the phone for god knows how long explaining everything and sending me pictures of how to make any adjustments. Also, i'd like to thank Performance Motorsport for helping out diagnose the problem. they DID do the install correctly, and these are not defective shocks. i just happen to have my ride height set pretty high in the back. that is all. after adding what miniscule amount of preload i could, the noise went away. But with the longer springs, i can move the rings way up higher and have more preload to play with.

SOO if you do get these coilovers, which i really do enjoy, and you plan to only do a mild drop, ask for 230mm rear springs. If you drop any more than .75" in the rear you should be fine with the 210mm springs

ok so that wasn't very short, but i feel much more comfortable working on suspension now
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Old 12-24-2010, 08:53 PM   #4 (permalink)
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Quote:
Originally Posted by azn370z View Post
You don't know which corner the noise is coming from? Did you preload the rear springs? Put the z on jack stands, don't take the wheels off and pull on the springs, if it moves you need to preload them again.
Yeah, sorry, its coming from the RF. It sounds like its the upper part of the tower.

After a couple of phone calls, I'm going to take the shock off and check to see if the nut holding the top mount plate and bearing are tight while also checking for play in the bearing to see if its bad.


I did preload the rears.


This is with 10K/12K Swift springs too. The fronts came preloaded and assembled from BC.

I've pulled on the springs, the shock, the A-arm, the sway, the tire, the hub...everything is tight. I have quadruple checked all my nuts and bolts.
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Last edited by phantom21; 12-24-2010 at 08:57 PM.
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Old 12-26-2010, 11:22 AM   #5 (permalink)
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Ok, found the culprit. The top center nut under the damping dial was loose and couldn't be spotted when the car wasn't under load. I tightened it down and all is well now. I'm just glad it wasn't the bearing.
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Old 12-26-2010, 11:36 AM   #6 (permalink)
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Quote:
Originally Posted by phantom21 View Post
Ok, found the culprit. The top center nut under the damping dial was loose and couldn't be spotted when the car wasn't under load. I tightened it down and all is well now. I'm just glad it wasn't the bearing.
Hmm, that's not good. Who did the assembly of the spring onto the shock? If that come off all the way you would have been in trouble.
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Old 12-26-2010, 03:23 PM   #7 (permalink)
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I think jeff fixed this problem(?)
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Old 12-26-2010, 06:49 PM   #8 (permalink)
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Quote:
Originally Posted by kenchan View Post
I think jeff fixed this problem(?)
Jeff did fix his problem, but that was a rear spring. He wasn't lowered enough to get enough preload so he needed the longer springs.

Phantom's problem was the front strut assembly, the nut that holds the top mount to the shock was loose. When the strut was assembled with the new spring someone didn't tighten this sufficiently it would seem.
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Old 12-27-2010, 07:48 AM   #9 (permalink)
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ChrisSlicks View Post
Hmm, that's not good. Who did the assembly of the spring onto the shock? If that come off all the way you would have been in trouble.
It was a drop shipment from BC in Florida. They fitted them with Swift springs.

Quote:
Originally Posted by ChrisSlicks View Post
Jeff did fix his problem, but that was a rear spring. He wasn't lowered enough to get enough preload so he needed the longer springs.

Phantom's problem was the front strut assembly, the nut that holds the top mount to the shock was loose. When the strut was assembled with the new spring someone didn't tighten this sufficiently it would seem.
Yes, that is correct. So, for all and future reference, check the nut before install and/or load.
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Last edited by phantom21; 12-27-2010 at 07:52 AM. Reason: Bolding fix
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Old 05-19-2011, 02:20 PM   #10 (permalink)
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Sorry to bring this thread from the dead.... But I have BC Coilovers and I experience this Clunk as well. I do not have after market sways.

It sounds as if the spring is popping in and out in the rear. However I have my Coils with the 230MM Spring and I'm lowered about 1.25. It seems to go away once suspension or car warms up. I Have no clue what it is, but any ideas/input would be great.
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Old 07-10-2013, 01:54 AM   #11 (permalink)
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ChrisSlicks View Post
Hmm, that's not good. Who did the assembly of the spring onto the shock? If that come off all the way you would have been in trouble.
Here to revive a thread. This happened to me today. That nut that goes over the dampener dial... came off while I was driving and my car sunk a good inch or so down. I never touched that nut and it should have been torqued properly by the manufacturer prior to shipping it out to me. Im not happy in the least bit and now my coil is knocking....


Any advice???? Can I get this thing replaced by the manufacturer or are they going to claim no responsibility?

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Old 07-10-2013, 06:58 AM   #12 (permalink)
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Quote:
Originally Posted by SgtGoldy View Post
Here to revive a thread. This happened to me today. That nut that goes over the dampener dial... came off while I was driving and my car sunk a good inch or so down. I never touched that nut and it should have been torqued properly by the manufacturer prior to shipping it out to me. Im not happy in the least bit and now my coil is knocking....


Any advice???? Can I get this thing replaced by the manufacturer or are they going to claim no responsibility?

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Are they off the car now? They should repair or replace it as necessary depending on the warranty period. They can extend that period at their discretion.
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Old 07-10-2013, 07:10 AM   #13 (permalink)
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Not off the car yet, they will be before 12pm. I just haven't had an opportunity yet...
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Old 02-06-2015, 04:06 PM   #14 (permalink)
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I'm having bad sounds on my back as well.hope Jeff's hing works out as for mine.noise is annoying at low speeds
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