For those who install the Bilstein PSS are you suppose to be hearing a big clunk noise in the front of the car? I will be checking the nuts/bolts on the car today and was wondering maybe I didn't tighten the nuts enough. Also what torque do you guys tighten it to? The noise isn't comming from the back since I did cut the bump stop as recommended. It does rattle in the back a little bit but I just need to rotate the rear spring. Any thoughts on the clunk in the front of the car when turning?
Bilstien PSS suspension + clunck noise in the front
- Thread starter envy2
- Start date
Might it be the steering shaft clunk problem (reported elsewhere on the forum: http://www.mazdas247.com/forum/show...**-Everyone-with-steering-clunk-read-this-*** )?
This...take the preload off the spring and make sure the blue washers on the spring seats are absolutely clean. Any rocks, dirt, grease will make them bind up and create a pop when turning. I found that a little motorcycle chain lube works great, but any dry lubricant will work. WD40 and the like attract dirt and make the condition worse. Also a point to note, make sure your upper and lower parts of the strut mount are lined up. The recesses for the strut studs need to seat properly or you'll have all sorts of noise.
Okay the problem came back with a vengence! I took out the camber bolts awhile back and put the stock bolts on in hopes of finally remedying the issue. When stationary and turning the wheel I'll hear a clunk on the front right tires. If I turn the tires a few more times then it will go away for that moment. when driving around and turning i'll also hear the clunking noise as if some was twisting or loose. I check my tires lugs nut to be tight and recheck all the suspension to be tight. I'm thinking it might either be the front sway bar links, the rack and pinion or the Electronic Power Assist as I sometimes hear a different noise when turning the wheels. BTW I autocross/DD this car but I don't think that should be causing the issue. Another other autocrosser with suspenstion mod seeing similar experience?
Spinitsidewayz
Member
- :
- 2012 Mazda2 Sport
I've been having the same noise too for the past month. Low speed clunking over bumps or turning the wheel. Right after I installed some 400lb Eibach Springs... wasn't making it before...
My last set up was 350lb Hypercoils in front, however it didn't make the noise then, or even when i had the kit springs on, leading me to think either it's an installation issue or parts worn or just moving around, I know the rear springs tend to make noise until the spring rotates into a 'comfortable spot'.
Car has survived 2 autocross events and almost 1k miles. So I'm not too worried... unless the noise is actually the dreaded steering clunk or something else...
I removed one of the end links to isolate the sway bar and it didn't have an effect on the noise (I actually think it made it happen more often...)
Checked ball joints... still solid... everything is torqued to spec...
My guess is it's the strut bearing, or the springs moving around/binding...
Sorry this post doesn't really help.... I may take apart my front suspension again this weekend to double check everything. I'll be sure to post an update on any findings.
My last set up was 350lb Hypercoils in front, however it didn't make the noise then, or even when i had the kit springs on, leading me to think either it's an installation issue or parts worn or just moving around, I know the rear springs tend to make noise until the spring rotates into a 'comfortable spot'.
Car has survived 2 autocross events and almost 1k miles. So I'm not too worried... unless the noise is actually the dreaded steering clunk or something else...
I removed one of the end links to isolate the sway bar and it didn't have an effect on the noise (I actually think it made it happen more often...)
Checked ball joints... still solid... everything is torqued to spec...
My guess is it's the strut bearing, or the springs moving around/binding...
Sorry this post doesn't really help.... I may take apart my front suspension again this weekend to double check everything. I'll be sure to post an update on any findings.
it's this..no cause for alarm. the load of the spring binds up the stock upper bearing and causes the spring to try and twist on the perch which causes a single ( sometimes multiple) pops on a steering movement. you can get a roller bearing for the lower perch if you want, but I just doubled up on the lower blue washers and hit them with some motorcycle chain lube. Works like a champ until they get really wet, then as simple as jacking up the car, take the preload off the spring with one hand, and squirt a little lube back in between the washers. done..
As a quick fix, you can hit the upper surface of the blue washer with some anti seize, gets a littl messy, but will also help cut the popping..
Chris, your clunk is a totally different animal. Are you running a helper/tender spring with a collar in between?
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As for durability on auto crossing. My car has easily 20 events on with this setup with spring rates that ranged from 285 all the way up to 550. Struts are a little over sprung now, but I've got plans for them this winter. I've snapped one camber bolt overtorquing it, but othe than that, spot on. Sure it makes noises, because RACECAR.
Spinitsidewayz
Member
- :
- 2012 Mazda2 Sport
10lb Hypercoil helper springs with collars below the main spring. Main springs are 7in 2.5ID and the collars are the b-spec part from mazdaspeed.
I may have been a little misleading with the over bumps description, i'm usually turning at low speed (straightening out the car over curb ramps) or driving slow over bumpy sections of asphalt (which may include turning) when I get the noise.
I was suspecting the bearing could be binding up, It makes so much more sense when someone else explains it!
I just thought it was weird it would appear when i installed the eibachs.
Where did you order the extra blue washers from?
EDIT: I think our cars are set up very similarly, except I've kept mine on 350/300 for a while. Only started making noise this last set up change. Mine has seen about 20 events as well.
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I think your are closer to the ideal spring rates than I am. 550 seems to be way to much but the 450 felt good but not great. 350 just didn't seem enough of an increase over the PSS blues to fork up the cash to try them. But the porpoising I'm getting under trail braking is really upsetting the balance and the turn in.
The extra blue washers were from the rear. the rear didn't need them since I don't use the adjusters. I also converted my stock mounts to run 2.25" springs so my springs are quite a bit shorter than yours. Might be part of my problem.
Are you sure the springs are 2.5" and not 2.25 or 60mm? That could be your noise also since there is some play with a 2.5" spring in the 60mm lower perch collars.
Spinitsidewayz
Member
- :
- 2012 Mazda2 Sport
They are 2.5 ID. I cross referenced the B-Spec part numbers over and they run 2.5 ID 7" Free length. They run 350lb Front/250lb Rear Eibachs, but they are on re-valved bilsteins. As far as I know, looking at the parts list, they do not run 60mm to 2.5 adapters. Probably because of...
Mazdaspeed also carries a modified Strut bearing to accommodate the 2.5 ID springs, although I never actually measured them to see if you could squeeze a 60mm on there. I figured the Mazda guys knew what they were doing, so I just copied it over and am working on adjusting it for STF.
Never really made noise on the Hypercoils which were the same ID. The 350's actually felt pretty good, probably because they are linear vs the progressive PSS kit springs. And they fixed the slight fender rubbing I was getting. The 400's feel like they might be the highest I would go with the stock valving. Probably have to re-valve shocks to find a good set up.
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Sorry envy, didn't mean to threadjack. Aside from checking everything for tightness again, I would check to make sure the strut bearing isn't getting crusted up with dirt. I am not sure if they are serviceable or not. You could also try removing a sway bar link to make sure it isn't the links or the sway bar mounts. Chasing suspension noises is always fun...
Mazdaspeed also carries a modified Strut bearing to accommodate the 2.5 ID springs, although I never actually measured them to see if you could squeeze a 60mm on there. I figured the Mazda guys knew what they were doing, so I just copied it over and am working on adjusting it for STF.
Never really made noise on the Hypercoils which were the same ID. The 350's actually felt pretty good, probably because they are linear vs the progressive PSS kit springs. And they fixed the slight fender rubbing I was getting. The 400's feel like they might be the highest I would go with the stock valving. Probably have to re-valve shocks to find a good set up.
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Sorry envy, didn't mean to threadjack. Aside from checking everything for tightness again, I would check to make sure the strut bearing isn't getting crusted up with dirt. I am not sure if they are serviceable or not. You could also try removing a sway bar link to make sure it isn't the links or the sway bar mounts. Chasing suspension noises is always fun...
Thanks for the reply. That really help me feel better. I thought I was going to have to put the stock stuff back on and if it's still happening go to the stealership. What do you mean by blue washer? Are you talking about that blue plastic piece that the springs sits on? The one between the spring and the structs? Any recommendation for roller bearing? Otherwise I'll probably have to get those blue washers and oil them like you said.
That's it. the blue plastic washer/slip ring. The roller bearing comment was meant for your "thread jacker" as he's running a tender and linear rate spring as a combo. The stock PSS springs can't use and off the shelf one, but you may be able to find a 60mm coilover perch bearing. Here's a sample of what they look like. Prices vary, I'm ok with lubing the washers so no need for me to plunk down the $28-$75 for the pair.
http://www.strangeengineering.net/d...l-over-shocks/spring-seat-bearing-kit-pr.html
