Installed a set of TSW spec KWv2's with Vorshlag camber plates up front. It's only been 2 days, but I am curious how much noise I should expect and what is considered "normal".

They seem to be relatively quiet, but I do hear an occasional feint clunk when going over bumps.

I figure the noise up front is from the camber plates, but with the rears on the stock top mounts, will there still be some noise?

I rechecked all the bolts on the front end last night to make sure everything was tight. I will do the same in the rear this evening.

 

I have the exact same setup but I don't experience any noise.

Are you certain it's noise being generated by the suspension and not just added noise from the harsher ride delivered by the higher spring rates versus stock?

 

yes, you might be right. Im just questioning it because I am not sure what is "normal" now with the new stuff.

 

I am 99% sure I hear a definitive clunk.

Everything is confirmed tight to spec except for the top nut. I bought them pre-assembled from another member, so I didnt check that. Pinch nut, 3 nuts on thee strut top, endlinks, All tight.

If the top nut is even slightly loose, Im guessing it will make a noise? Thoughts?

 

I'd definitely make sure everything is tightened don and torqued properly. The weight of the car is on the coils so if anything is loose it could very well make noise while driving.

It's difficult to diagnose without seeing it or hearing the noise. I know that mine isn't making any noises that are emanating from the suspension itself. It's just noise from a loud car with an aftermarket suspension and exhaust system.

 

Can you do me a favor? Could you snap a quick picture of the top nut on your KWs? I am curious to see how many threads are showing. Right now, the top surface of the nut is right where the threads start. Essentially, no threads are showing. If yours has threads showing, its probably definitely the issue of not being tight enough.

 

They should not make any noise!

Did you make sure to re-use the old piece of rubber between the OEM spring perch and springs? Most people leave that out and you'll get clanking noises if you don't put it back with the coilover setup. It's not the end of the world, but it makes things quiet.

 

Well, I bought them used, so they were preassembled.

But... I am not using the stock perches, I have the Vorshalgs which are using the KW perch since they are the TSW spec with linear springs/

 

Also, I am trying to track down a 22mm wrench so I can check the torque.

 

Ah that's right about the linear springs! I guess you'd have to cut the old rubber isolator to fit. It's nothing much of a part really. Just a thin sheet of rubber.

 

I'll take a pic for you. Can't do it now since my car is in the shop. Some moron backed into me at the grocery store so getting some scratches fixed.

When I get it back I'll post a photo.

 

How low did you drop it? I had my car set too low at one point, that will definitely do it. The KW's like a little space.

 

I have a 1 finger gap between the tire and the fender. 24" from the ground to the fender edge.

 

That might be cutting it close depending on your tire diameter. Check and see how many threads are showing--I think KW recommends at least three--you definitely can't go any lower than what KW recommends, I had to go higher than that (I have H&R camber plates which may also make a difference, as they add 1/4 inch to the height). In fact ended up about 2 or 3 threads more showing than the minimum KW recommends; when I had my car aligned and corner balanced, they raised it a bit--and the car handled much better on the track. And no more clunking.

 

Are you talking about the amount of threads on the shock body below the lower spring perch?

 

Yes, on the lower spring perch. There needs to be at least three showing underneath the perch, but I wound up with more than that. I think each thread is like 1/8th of an inch in ride height if I remember correctly but I could be wrong.

 

I don't have KW's for my mini yet. But on my other car with coilovers they needed to be tightened three times. Also my truck with race suspension also needed to be tightened up three times as well. It's a metal to metal connection with the Vorschlags. In my other car the fronts you could hold with a 6mm Allen and adjust the nut and the rears had to be removed from the car. The Vorshlag camber plates are the best you can get and have the least noise.

 

OK, I have more than enough threads remaining before bottoming out. So I do not believe that is the problem.

I am headed up to MOTD this evening, Helix is doing the walnut blasting on my car tomorrow, so I will ask a favor of them and hopefully they can check for me.

 

They'll figure it out, that's a good call.

 

They were able to confirm that the top nuts are tight. Noise is still there. The hunt continues...

 

So help me out here...

In the front, we have..

Top nut - confirmed tight
3 Nuts on camber plate - confirmed tight
Pinch bolt - confirmed tight
Endlink nuts - confirmed tight

In the rear, we have...

Top nut - need to re-check
2 bolts on strut top - confirmed tight
Lower mount bolt - confirmed tight
Endlink nuts - confirmed tight


The only thing I need to re-check is the top nuts on the rear shocks. Other than that, Im not sure where the noise could come from.

Im really stumped. Thoughts?

 

Does it make noise from the same corner or from any of the four corners?

Does it happen randomly or only when in a turn or going over a bump?

Trying to narrow it down a bit. Possibly a strut needs rebuilding? Not even sure if that would make a sound, just throwing out ideas at this point.

Should have my car back in a day or two so I can post a pic.

 

Sounds like the front right. Only happens over slow speed bumps. Driving around the parking lot at work, speed bumps, etc.

They shouldnt need a rebuild, they are essentially brand new. The previous owner only put 1000mi on them. Then I just did about 500 since being installed.

 

Got that picture for me?

 

Sorry for the delay. Got my car back finally. I'm not home now but I'll snap a shot and upload it for you tomorrow.