Coilover clunk issue

littlejuanito · 03-15-2017, 12:30 PM

Last night, I drove over some steel plates laid out in the middle of the street and the front passenger side coilover made a hard clunking (Thump) metal sound. It's happened on other occasions going over small pot holes and its not limited to one side only, although it never happens on the rear wheels only in the front. Does anyone have any idea what could be wrong or is this normal when lowered on coilovers?

OptionZero · 03-15-2017, 12:45 PM

could be the spring popping from trying to rotate during compression

its happened on various coilovers before

live with it

or install some thrust washers that go between the spring and the perch

CCastro · 03-15-2017, 12:53 PM

Is the preload set correctly? Also, make sure everything is tight again.

littlejuanito · 03-15-2017, 12:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OptionZero

could be the spring popping from trying to rotate during compression

its happened on various coilovers before

live with it

or install some thrust washers that go between the spring and the perch

Thanks bud. It definitively does not bother me as long as it something normal with coilovers, but I will also check the upper nut to see if its loose. Seems to be the issue for a lot of folks having this thud.

Volk Z · 03-15-2017, 01:37 PM

Is it front or rear? If it's rear then I would ensure 3/8 pre-load is set if it's clunking. If it's front when the load is off see if the spring is snug in there. Also check the sway bar which can make a ton of clunking.
Retighten all bolts. Otherwise it could be a blown strut (premature)

HapaZ · 03-15-2017, 02:51 PM

I'll second to double check the sway bar. Had the same issue (right front) and just had to get off my lazy duff to pickup the torque wrench - fixed my clunking sound.

littlejuanito · 03-15-2017, 03:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HapaZ

I'll second to double check the sway bar. Had the same issue (right front) and just had to get off my lazy duff to pickup the torque wrench - fixed my clunking sound.

Was your clunk constant over any surface? The reason I ask its because mine its actually a loud thump and only when I go over a small pot hole or over a hard raised surface. It kinda feels as if the rim was hitting a curb really hard. So I wonder if end links would cause this.

CCastro · 03-15-2017, 03:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by littlejuanito

Was your clunk constant over any surface? The reason I ask its because mine its actually a loud thump and only when I go over a small pot hole or over a hard raised surface. It kinda feels as if the rim was hitting a curb really hard. So I wonder if end links would cause this.

if the sway bars aren't tight, there will be play every time you hit a bump or when the suspension travels. The sway is under load either from the driver side, passenger side, or both.

03-15-2017, 12:30 PM	#1 (permalink)
littlejuanito Track Member Join Date: Jul 2014 Location: Sherman Oaks, CA Posts: 812 Drives: 2014 Touring Sport Rep Power: 419	Coilover clunk issue Last night, I drove over some steel plates laid out in the middle of the street and the front passenger side coilover made a hard clunking (Thump) metal sound. It's happened on other occasions going over small pot holes and its not limited to one side only, although it never happens on the rear wheels only in the front. Does anyone have any idea what could be wrong or is this normal when lowered on coilovers? __________________ Fast Intentions Non-Resonated Carbon Fiber CBE \| Berk Non-Resonated HFC \| Powertrix Coilovers \| RJM Clutch Pedal \| LatheWerks Shift Knob \| Stillen Sway Bars, \|SPL Parts \| Enkei RS05RR \| Fujimura Diffuser \| Ecutek Tuned by Seb \| 308whp

03-15-2017, 12:45 PM	#2 (permalink)
OptionZero A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Sacramento Posts: 3,238 Drives: 15 370Z Nismo 6MT Rep Power: 214100	could be the spring popping from trying to rotate during compression its happened on various coilovers before live with it or install some thrust washers that go between the spring and the perch CCastro likes this. __________________ OptionZero Build Thread

03-15-2017, 12:53 PM	#3 (permalink)
CCastro Enthusiast Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: SF Posts: 300 Drives: 10 Nismo MB Rep Power: 15	Is the preload set correctly? Also, make sure everything is tight again. Volk Z likes this.

03-15-2017, 01:37 PM	#5 (permalink)
Volk Z A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Laguna Beach, CA Posts: 2,214 Drives: Nismo Z Rep Power: 3066	Is it front or rear? If it's rear then I would ensure 3/8 pre-load is set if it's clunking. If it's front when the load is off see if the spring is snug in there. Also check the sway bar which can make a ton of clunking. Retighten all bolts. Otherwise it could be a blown strut (premature) __________________ AMUSE * TOMEI * STILLEN * CRAFTSQUARE RECARO * 3M * TOP SECRET * SLICKCARBON

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03-15-2017, 02:51 PM	#6 (permalink)
HapaZ Base Member Join Date: Sep 2014 Location: NorCal Posts: 245 Drives: 2012 370z Base Coupe Rep Power: 11	I'll second to double check the sway bar. Had the same issue (right front) and just had to get off my lazy duff to pickup the torque wrench - fixed my clunking sound.