Suspension noise HELP

[code7rpd]

I just replace the bilstein inserts on my front struts, put in turbo tie rods, and new ball joints. The car is sitting at stock height. After replacing all of these I noticed a clunking from both front shocks when going over bumps. I jacked up the front end and with the tires on I can see some up/down play when I push the tires up and down. The noise is coming from the strut and it seems loose. When I push the wheel up I can see the strut housing move up under the top strut cover and I can hear the strut banging. I tightened up the strut upper nut with an impact gun and it is as tight as it is going to get. I noticed that I have alot of positive camber on the front wheels to the point that the inside of the tire barely touches the ground. Any ideas on how to fix this or will it go away with an alignment?

[Oh Haha]

Did you tighten the strut housing nut? The big funny looking one that holds the insert in?
None of these repairs should have messed up your camber that bad but get it done soon. Have the shop that does it look over the bits and be sure they are tight. Hope this helps.

[Pat S]

I had one of the strut housing nuts come loose and it had the same symptoms.
Pat

[code7rpd]

I didn't have a nut on the insert. There is a nut on the strut tower which I tightened down but the only thing holding in the insert is a roll pin on the bottom. Am I missing a piece?

[Chuck Moreland]

Originally posted by code7rpd
I didn't have a nut on the insert. There is a nut on the strut tower which I tightened down but the only thing holding in the insert is a roll pin on the bottom. Am I missing a piece?

No you are not missing a piece. You have bilstein struts, they use the rollpin instead of a gland nut to secure the insert.

Did you remove the camber plates in the process of replacing the inserts? That would explain your alignment problem.

Did you remove the strut upper covers?

Be more specific about exactly what is moving up and down.

[code7rpd]

I did not remove the strut covers or camber plates but what I found was that if I look at the stut housing there are essentially two pieces. The main carrier which houses the insert and a dust cover on top. If I move the wheel up and down the main housing moves up under the dust cover a bit like there is some play before it stops. If I move the wheel up harshly them I hear a clunk sound. It looks like the insert is moving so I removed the roll pn on one side and lowered the wheel so the tire was on the ground before putting the pin back - I wanted to make sure the insert was seated properly and after doing that, the play is much less. I tried the other side but the roll pin would not go in and it bent. I didn't get new pins with the strut inserts for some reason so I used the old ones and now I am missing one because it was damaged. Is the strut supposed to be compressed when the roll pin is inserted? Does anyone know what size pin I need to get? I have the bashed up one and am going to see if I can find a similar at an auto parts store - are those roll pins metric by chance? I hope not otherwise they are going to be a bear to find - our host does not list them independantly. Thanks for the help guys I really appreciate it - any ideas are welcome. I will be giving you a call on Monday Chuck I need to get some rear spring plate bushings and some oil cooler parts.

[Chuck Moreland]

Check www.mcmaster.com for metric rollpins. Or one of the metric specialty shops like www.mdmetric.com

Get the spiral wound type.

The problem description is a bit unclear. The main housing is supposed to move into the dust cover on compression, that is normal. It is the clunking sound that sounds wacky.

Are you sure you have the rollpin properly engaging the bottom of the insert?

The shaft of the insert has a notch machined in it that must be lined up with the rollpin hole while inserting the pin. Else the pin will not capture the insert. Clunking would result.

[code7rpd]

I think you are right - I don't think that the pin engaged properly. I am going to see if I can locate the correct pin and try again.