So I just got my dspecs+pro-kit put on today and all went well except front strut mount issues. Anyway. I got a couple questions...
1: Is there a break in period? Common sense would say so but the guide that came with the struts doesn't mention one.
2: The tool for adjusting the struts fits all except the back right. It's too tall. Can I cut a 1/8th off of it? I figure I can tell the turns by the litle flat logo part on the tool, but need conformation.
3: Will my car drop more or less as time goes on?
Thanks.
Figured out #2. Just bought a 3mm allen wrench and bam.
But another question...
4: I set all around at 5 turns counter clockwise from full firm. Think this is an optimal setup?
5: I have a HORRIBLE clunking coming from the back on even the smallest bumps. What could this be? Will it go away after the suspension sets in? At first I thought it was because I had the back set so firm, but now it should be pretty soft at 5 turns right? max is 7.5 correct? I have OEM's solid mounts in the rear only and I wouldn't think it would relate to this would it?
Thanks again.
the clunk is the strut not mounted in the strut mount tightly enough i bet....
take it out and see...are the strut shaft tops the same height in the car? they should be.
They look pretty close. BUT I did have to buy an allen wrench with a 90* angle to get to the right side. While the dspec tool fit on the left with just a little persuasion. What do you think now EvoFire?
Well I've got apprenticeship school tommorow in the city. So I'll be driving a good 260km. Hopefully it won't be too bad on whatever is making the noise.
How serious is this problem? And are you 100% positive it's the spacers I need? I'm considering going back to stock on the rear so i won't have to deal with problems...
Well, I've been dealing with clunks and clangs ever since I put in my struts, heres what I fixed.
First, yes make sure the top bolts of the strut are tight.
You should have your stuff in this order, bottom to top:
-Strut rod
-Washer-
-Rubber Spacer
-Mount
-Rubber Spacer
-Washer
-Top bolt
if you didn't do it in that order, it might slip over and cause problems.
2nd was the bottom strut bolt, the one that holds the strut to the trailing arm. If it's not very tight (80ft/lb) it'll move side to side and knock.
3rd was the spacers. If you jack up the rear end of the car and you can move the springs up and down by hand, then you need the spacers.
That sounds really complicated...
Not shure exactly what i'm going to do but the noise isn't getting any better. Might put on stock rear strut mounts and resell the OEM one's, cut my loss and buy sway bars
It's really not that complicated really, you can figure it out. If nothing else is working for you, it might be the springs clanking on themselves when they compress. You might want to try putting rubber tubing over the springs. Here is a pic I got from that01cav that might help, on Road Magnet springs.
http://img526.imageshack.us/img526/5568/tha01cavrm5.jpg
* * BIG FOR SALE POST * *
Problem solved.
My mechanic forgot to trim the bumpstops so got that done. And switched the mounts back to factory. Everything rides smoothly now.
