I looked down at (Helix) camber plates and I saw something strange. I saw that the top of the coilover stud (circled in red) is grinding against the side wall of the middle slot where it slides between the camber plate. This has caused metal to be shaved off of the camber plates (i know this because there are metal shavings). Is This normal? I know that the bearing on the camber plates are supposed to support all of the weight, and I know the coilover stud is supposed to turn. Therefore, I don't think that there should be any weight on the part where the metal shavings are coming off, so why is it grinding? Can you suggest some possible reasons?



here's the photo,

 

Any chance the shavings are just left over from the installation and alignment, as the non moving "stud" is a tight fit in the slot of the Helix plate? I'd blow the shavings out and keep an eye on it but I can't see any other reason for them.

 

I don't think the shaves are from the install or the alignment. The "non" moving stud is MOVING when I turn the steering. I don't recall if there was a tight fit in the slot of the Helix plate. AND I just found out the stud is moving whenever the car is steering (both side). Plus, is not grinding anymore, coz there ain't anything left for it to grind. Is free turing itself. Why thou?

Thanks in advance.

JOHN

 

it's fixed to the strut, and the strut turns....

I just looked at mine, and there's a lot more clearence between the shaft top and the metal of the plate. Mine are pretty early (before RDR and Helix joined forces). I don't know if the design changed at all since I bought mine, but this doesn't look right. Give Erix and Helix a call.... Something is amiss....

Matt

 

So your coilover strut is under the top plate? Hrm.... mine actually slide right into the middle slot, and touches the top plate............... SOMEONE HELPP!! I'm starting to know why it grinds, but I just don't think this normal.

JOHN

 

will be to call Eric at Helix. Refer him to the photo on the site, and go from there. Us RDR/Helix customers can say if we have the issue or not, but not what to do to fix it! I'm guessing that there's something wrong in the bearing mount.

Matt

ps, another thought. Take the strut out and have a look.
1) Jack up the front end.
2) Disconnect the sway bar end links and remove the hoses from the strut brackets.
3) Undo the lower two bolts that hold the bottom of the strut. The bolts have to be out, as there is a bracket on the strut that engages with a tab so the thing doesn't fall apart on the road if the bolts get loose.
4) Undo the three bolts that hold the plate onto the strut tower.
5) Fight it out! It's not too bad.....

 

I will try taking it out today, and see what is up with this. Again, the car turns and moves just fine. Just this grinding is pissing me off...

 

but don't have a spring compressor, I've done it with ratcheting nylon tie down straps. Use two, on opposite sides of the spring, and get them real, real tight, then undo the top nut to take the spring assembly apart. You may have to push on the stuff at the top of the spring to compress it a bit to put it all together, but it will go. This just isn't the techniques they taught in autoshop!

Matt

 

I had this problem with my coilovers and camber plates, have you tried using a generous amount of WD 40? It will reduce the grinding. The new Dual-Action Smart straw will allow you to get right into the middle slot.

 

Thanks for the heads up.



good idea... but now it grinds to the point that there is nothing else for it to grind anymore..... the coilover strut is turning freely itself.

 

Doesn't it always turn freely like a ballerina?

 

No issue with stock suspension - at least a quarter inch clearance. And no movement. That can't be good.

Mine were installed by Eric at least a year, and half a dozen track days ago.

Alan

 

The problem isn't that it rotates, but that it's grinding. My camber plates have lots of space there, as are Alans. Somethin's fishy....

Matt

 

I'm going to try calling Helix today again, to see what is going on...

JOHN