Hi,

I just installed my cup kit and I am getting a knocking/rattle in the front. I have checked all bolts and they are torqued down, but my only concern is the front end links (could be causing the noise).

1. I am not sure if I installed them back in the correct position. I have check many DIY and can't seem to find the right orientation for these links, and my dumb *** forgot to take not before I disassembled the stock unit. (ie. the links can be inserted facing forward or back). Anyone have a pic of the stock endlink attached to front sway bar?

2. Anyone with H&R cup kit notice they need aftermarket links? I called Alta, and they said this noise could be attributed to the need for these aftermarket endlinks.

Thanks!

 

It's not so much the positioning of the endlinks, but they have a weird way of being fully torqued down. You have to clamp one side of the bolt and torque the other one down.

I have the front endlinks that came with my Bilstein PSS10s, which are made to fit a lowered car. I don't need them as I have adjustables. They're brand new and unused. I'll sell them to you for $50 + shipping (from australia).

 

Well I tightened them down last weekend and still the same knocking sound over bumps. Now my steering creaks after tightening. Maybe too tight?

 

hmm, nah I doubt it's that. You might have to check your strut tops and springs to see if the springs are seated properly.

Usually when the suspension creaks while turning at a standstill indicates a spring not seated correctly....

 

I didn't mess with the spring at all, so how could it not creak before but now it does? The only thing I did was tighten the links (which didn't fix my original noise).

 

I'm not sure I understand. When did the sound start? Immediately after you installed your coilovers? Or later?

 

It happened right after I installed the cup kit. My initial thought was that it was related to the front steering link not being tightened down correctly. I went in and tightened it down, but the sound didn't go away. In addition, now when I steer all the way to the left, the steering creaks. So in summary, my one knocking/loose noise is still there and now when I steer all the way to the left there is creaking. I have dont multiple suspension installs before...never seen this type of issue.

 

I'm stumped.

Try this. Take the left endlink out completely and see if the noise is still there.

 

That makes two of us...I am over it. My e46 M3 never gives me issues like the Mini does.

 

take it to a suspension specialist, maybe they can put microphones around the suspension to track down the issue.

Also, try disconnecting the left endlink to see if it's caused by the endlinks or something else.

 

Is it safe to drive around with the front steering link off?

 

no no not the steering link, just the swaybar endlink. It's quite safe

 

I'm going throught the exact same problem, except the steering part. A week after installing my HR cup kit, my suspension on the driver side only started making an annoying creaking, popping sound. Like something is loose or needs major lubing. Only happens when I move forward and backwards starting from a standstill. My mechanic checked the install, but can't see what it could be. Will be replacing the front lower control arm bushing and adding Alta Endlinks to see if this fixes it. Any tips from the pros would be great.

Vince