Spool Spring Squeak + 2min Cure

[Equinox]

When originally shopping for lowering suspension for my car I was going to buy the eibach ground controls, but then I heard tons of stories about how they randomly pop while driving, making the car sound like it's breaking, and the need to get another alignment after each adjustment. So I decided on a nice good 2" drop, and somehow got it at 200$ from SPOOL. Yay for me.

Anyhow, after about 3 weeks into driving on my great SPOOL ride, I started noticing this cute chirping sound whenever I hit a reasonable bump that made my struts compress the springs. I actualy liked it, but it worried me that my springs were chirping. I didn't want to post anythign about the chirp until I knew for sure it was the SPOOL springs. Well anyhow, the other night I figured I woudl try and cure the squeak. Got under the car and tightened every bolt on the manifold, crossmember, anything I could find, but nothign was loose. Tried the strut bar, the battery mount, and then I found it.

The top dead center nut on the strut under the hood, I could move the thing with my hand. After the springs settled it apparently allowed the nut to loosen. Tightened it down, and tada, no squeak. Check those if you have any squeaks, gets it right away. ANyone get these squeaks?

 

[slamprotege5]

good info, mine is a clunk from the rear. Had the car on a rack earlier in the week, and the rear springs were slightly off the seat, and I could move them around. Thinking I will take the inside back apart and check the top bolt on the rear struts. At first I thought it was sway bar end links, but they are all tight. Good thinkin Equinox

 

[Andres]

Very good info!

Thanks to slamprotege5 advice, I am currently waiting for my SPOOL springs...
I wanted to ask you a question: How much of the rear interior plastic panels do I need to take off to be able o have my rear springs installed ???
The reason I ask is I know I will be WAAAYYY more careful in taking off those panels than any mechanic, so I would like to do it myself first, then go to a shop to have the springs done...
I don't want any plastic fasteners lost simply because they want to do it fast...

Thanks for the info
Andres.

 

[FuNwaGoN]

equinox, you are the man. I have just started to get more and more sqeauk from both the front and back and I have checked all of the bolts under the car. Actually I went over a speed bump this morning a little too fast and let the front end come down kind of hard and it sounded like the whole front suspension was going to come off. I am going to try your fix when I get home provided it's not raining. Thanks for the suggestion. BTW I love my springs other than the sqeauk and chirp that has developed. Hopefully this fix will cure it and all will be perfect.

 

[slamprotege5]

I have had no problem at all with the front. I took my front springs to my bro-in-law's Goodyear and had them put together on a spring press and air gun. The rear I did myself just pushing down on them, and having a buddy do the top bolt up. Also, when we were doing the back, the little blue thing came out of the sway bar end link. Had to beat that bastard hard to get it back in, this may also be one of my probs. Also, Andres, I have really good directions on spring install and removing the interior parts. I will try to post them on here in a little bit. They were off Pirana's website, excellent instructions. I had no idea how to work on a fwd car, but if you can, do the install yourself, so you know what do in case you ever have a prob. It is incredible easy. Sorry for rambling. later

 

[slamprotege5]

http://members.aol.com/rzr669/gcinstall.html

Try this. I know it is for GC coilovers, but just use the directions for everything else, then put the Spools on the strut, instead of the Coilover. I ended up with two extra little black clips when I was done...hmmm I just used a little flathead screwdriver to pop them off. Thanks to Pirana for these great install pics. Later

 

[DooMer_MP3]

Just a shade under 3 weeks and no noise from my car... That is of course forgetting about the horrible rattle/popping noise from the first day when the last rear spring we installed was off the perch and the swaybar endlink bolt was loose. Laziness I guess .

Chris

 

[Andres]

Thanks slamprotege5 and y'all...

For your help !

This is why I love this web site !!!

Andres.

 

[blynzoo]

me oui.

 

[MazdaProbeGT]

http://members.aol.com/rzr669/gcinstall.html

Try this. I know it is for GC coilovers, but just use the directions for everything else, then put the Spools on the strut, instead of the Coilover. I ended up with two extra little black clips when I was done...hmmm I just used a little flathead screwdriver to pop them off. Thanks to Pirana for these great install pics. Later

I looked at your site for installing springs. It's pretty good, but here is a little piece of advice. There is no need for an impact tool to remove the top 17mm nut of the assembly. You can just loosen (not remove) that nut while the strut is still mounted to the car. It should be the first step. Hope this helps.

 

[gjmoreo]

that is not his site .... it's Pirana's.

 

[Andres]

Great advice...!

Thanks once again
Andres.

 

[Equinox]

so in conclusion, if there is anythiung wrong with your SPOOL springs, you didn't install them right, or you need to tighten bolts after settling =)

Thanks SPOOL!

 

[acl]

Here's a few links to help out too:

Front Suspension
Rear Suspension Interior Trim Removal

I installed three of them last night - the stabilizer control link nut on one of the rears will not come off no matter what I do. I'm headed out now to pick up some more tools :wtf:

One the list of tools mentioned I would add to that a 3/16" allen key to hold the stabilizer control link still while you twist the bolt (if yours are as stuck as mine were).

Also make sure that you don't forget to take the ABS Sensor and remove it and tuck it away so it doesn't get banged up...