Are front monoballs supposed to make noise?

JonT · 05-04-2005, 05:14 AM

I recently installed Tarret monoballs in my car and it seems they are making quite a bit of noise over bumps. Is this inherent in the design?

Superman · 05-04-2005, 06:13 AM

There should not be any play in them whatsoever, so there should be no rattling. On the other hand, there is now very little (some might say none) cushioning of the forces acting on your struts. That is, the forces acting on your struts will also act on your car's shell now. I do not have monoballs, but I would expect them to do an excellent job of transferring noise from the strut into the cabin.

coloradoporsche · 05-04-2005, 06:18 AM

I had a similar problem with monoballs from another source. Every time I went over a bump, I got a "ka-thunk" noise from the front suspension.

I diagnosed it by placing a crow bar under the ball joint with the wheel off and the car raised. I noticed that the sleeve in the monoball moved up and down 1/2 mm or so.

I think my problem was caused by the fact that I didn't take the big washer off the top of the shock when I lowered the car. When the shock bottomed out, something had to give and the sleeve inside the monoball was squished or smashed somehow.

Anyway, if you think you did something stupid like I did, just replace them. If they came that way, I'd ask the manufacturer to swap it out. I don't think a little noise from a monoball is dangerous, but it it really annoying, and no, they aren't supposed to do that.

Good luck.

JonT · 05-04-2005, 06:37 AM

Thanks--it is incredibly annoying and I was not expecting it to be that loud over bumps. I was expecting a little more cabin noise but not a ka-thunk over every bump.

jyl · jyl's Garage

You shouldn't get that kind of noise. I notice more noise when hitting a really major bump, like a deep pothole, the kind that makes you wonder if you've damaged your wheels. I do not notice any more noise when hitting "normal" bumps.

DW SD · 05-04-2005, 07:03 AM

I'd suggest asking Ira Ramin. I've spoken with him several times. He's incredibly responsive. He's the designer and proprietor behind Tarrett. I wouldn't expect noise unless something isn't installed correctly or the bump is harsh enough to move the entire chassis.

Doug

JonT · 05-04-2005, 04:25 PM

I called Ira at Tarret and he said that because I did not use the dust cover on the Bilstein shock that the spacing is not correct and the nut won't tighten down completely so there is some play. Ira suggested cutting the top of the shock dust cover off and using as a spacer or just a washer of the same depth.

Has anyone else experienced this with their monoballs?

DW SD · 05-04-2005, 04:29 PM

Why not use the dustcover? Adding the spacer / washer should only take a few minutes. Shouldn't need to redo the alignment if you just undo the one nut that retains the shock / strut assembly. That's what I would do. Good luck!

Doug

JonT · 05-04-2005, 04:32 PM

The problem with using the dust cover is that with the monoball there is no rubber bushing (present on the stock strut cover) that prevents the dust cover from vibrating and shaking over bumps. I had the dust cover on at one point and it just wiggled and rattled so I took it off.

Elombard · 05-04-2005, 05:09 PM

I took my dust covers off to save weight (Konis) IS this a bad idea? I realize it may shorten the life of the shocks some? I wonder if I have a gap up there now? I should probably put them back on.

Sorry to Hi jack

Jeff Alton · 05-04-2005, 05:56 PM

I have run monoballs with and without dustcovers. No noise either way. Not sure how you could not tighten the nut up enough to pull it snug. Mind you I have the Elephant Racing one and am not sure if it is the same.

Chuck Moreland · 05-04-2005, 06:38 PM

Ira is right. With some struts, if you ommit the dust cover the threads will bottom out before snugging down. Just put a washer in there to prevent bottoming and life will be good.

Elombard · 05-04-2005, 06:58 PM

Chuck how do you feel about using Konis sans dust covers?

lateapex911 · 05-04-2005, 07:12 PM

I just powder coated my dust covers..and at least on mine, they weigh very little. Maybe a pound between the two of them. Is that how much weight we are talking about??

Elombard · 05-04-2005, 07:16 PM

Yah maybe a pound. Not a big deal I just wonder if the dirt etc. is going to cause problems sooner rather than later. I think Bilstiens do not have covers?? Are you Koni or??

I should do a search, I bet it has been covered.

Chuck Moreland · 05-04-2005, 08:04 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Elombard
Chuck how do you feel about using Konis sans dust covers?

For all struts, use covers if you can. As pointed out, they weigh very little and they do reduce grit on the shaft - extending seal life.

The reasons to remove them are - clearence for extra wide tires, clearance for negative camber when using offset camber plates.

Else, leave 'em on.

lateapex911 · 05-04-2005, 08:38 PM

Yeah, you're talking to a guy with a racecar, I know the importance of reducing weight...but a pound in the front of a 911 is not worth worrying about, to me at least! Gas weighs about 6 lbs a gallon, so it represents less than a quart of gas.

And a leaking seal on a damper is a big pain...

I had Bilsteins in, and just swapped to Konis, which, with dust covers look like this:

And while we're looking at pictures, what aftermarket parts can be seen here?? (Hint, I got some from a poster on this thread)