Hey guys,

I'm wondering if anyone can help me figure out what is wrong with one of my coilovers? Ever sense I installed them, I've had an issue with one of the back ones. Almost every time I slowly drive up a driveway at an angle, a loud popping noise occurs. Not only does it sound like crap, but it usually adjusts my height. Does anyone know what's going on? Thanks.

 

try looking at one of the bushing on the unit and the top mount make sure its all tight had same problem with my set in the back was loose strut mount

 

Alright I'll take a look at it, thanks for the suggestion. Anyone else have any ideas?

 

Triple check the preload.

 

Also... Make sure Your lugnuts are fully tightened.... Sounds dumb, but it's happened to me before, and I was trippin. Lol.

 

If something was wrong with the preload, what would I be looking for the top of it just being loose?

 

It sounds like your spring is un-setting then setting. You might need a helper spring.

 

Are you suggesting that because its bothering him, or possible safety issues?

 

Both, it only happens when he goes over bumps so even if the cars rides "cocked eyed" for a second it will eventually "pop" and settle back into place. It might be messing up his set up if anything.

 

I kinda have the same prob with my skunk2 coilovers. But to me it sounds more like a metal piece being pulled and then slapping back into place. It comes from the back shocks when i drive up driveways.

 

How will a helper spring solve a bad pre-load issue?

 

Thanks. Just asking because what I've read about just said don't worry and just leave it. Unless one wanted to spend ~$120 on two helper springs.

 

I've never even heard of a helper spring before. But, I'm not going to invest in one if I have to buy two for $120. Mainly, because I'm planning on upgrading my suspension in a year or so; and the car is rarely driven even in the summer. Thanks for the help guys

 

-_-

 

Lol.

 

you sure its not just your exhaust hitting the shock body?

 

Yeah. Because, I don't have any insulation in the back of the car. So I can hear the spring getting really tense as I drive up a curb, and then it goes WHAM! And, it's coming from the other side of where the exhaust runs.

 

forget all the preload and helper spring bs. just take it off and check it. the spring should not be free to rattle when its fully extended, from what i remember. if it is, just tighten it up. thats all.

 

If your preload isn't set, DON'T forget about it. Omg. Make sure the spring is fully seated. Period. Have you even taken the chance to see what's going on down there?

 

I think the spring is getting hung up on a rubber protector that goes around the top part of the shock. When the car is parked the spring is fully seated, but I think it gets messed up when it's under a lot of pressure. Do you think it's alright if I just cut the rubber protector/insulator off? I can't find a photo of it, but I'm guessing you can picture it.

 

Can you spin the spring? You should be able to move it, just not up and down. It's possible to overload it... Just sayin

 

Damn, I wish the car was at my house so I could check. I might go work on it tomorrow; would it be overloaded from just being tightened too much? ( I'm guessing yes. )

 

Yes.

 

EIBACH MAIN AND HELPER SYSTEM A Helper spring is used to prevent the Main spring from becoming loose in the spring seat when the suspension is unloaded or at full droop. The Helper spring, unlike the Tender spring, has very little spring rate, and therefore has no effect on the suspension characteristics of the vehicle. Up to 2” (50mm) of spring-to-perch gap can be covered with the use of a Helper spring. -Ultra-Lightweight for Reduced Unsprung Mass -Maximum Deflection in Combination with -Smallest Block Heights -Exceptional Block Resistance and Durability -Precision Tolerances,Tightest in the Industry -Lowest Side Loads with Load Center Ideally -Highest Linearity and Guaranteed Rate -Consistency Within 2% Of Advertised Rate -Each Spring Individually Tested and Rated -Eibach Springs Lifetime Warranty


I'm pretty sure they don't cost that much, Google one of the first hits. And you don't even need to be Eibach!
http://www.upr.com/Eibach-Helper-Springs-p726.html

 

Hey, thanks for the link! I'll definitely look into getting one if I can't find anything wrong with how my coilover is set up.