KW V3's creaking noise
 

Hey guys I recently installed some KW V3's and I seem to be getting some creaking from the rear top hats on uneven pavement or going into steep driveways, the noise isnt always there but its enough to make it noticeable. Ive done some research to try and trouble shoot my problem but none have worked. So far I have tightened the top hat nut all the way down, tightened the two 12mm bolts from under top hat and I also tried spraying white lithium grease around the top hat area and every bushing I can find and I am still getting that dam creaking noise. Another question did any of you install the rear top hat sound insulator? I know that might seem obvious, since the KW's use the stock top hats but I didnt think it would make that much of a difference. I think im gonna try and install the sound insulator and maybe spray some white lithium grease from the top of the top hat since I only sprayed it from the bottom when it was loose. Any other suggestions you guys would have?

Wonder if ithe noise is friction from the springs binding against the hat/perch when compressing/uncoiling

When springs compress they actually rotate, that rotational movement can cause a squeaking noise

Solution is thrust bearings or thrust washers. Swift sells them for about $25(enough for two corners)

Never heard of those but I will try them out on my next alignment. The noise does seem to be coming from the top of tophat I can clearly hear it behind me. I did buy them off a G37 owner that gave me the top hats off his car. From what im told the suspension from the G and Z are the same but read one thread somewhere and they said the top hats aren't compatible?

Hi, You might want to contact KW and ask them...I have had other cars on coils/springs set up and on certain drive ways or inclines I would hear creaking especially when cold out but was normal. Never had any issue but with the noise.

Creaking will be from metal on metal contact with no barrier between. So likely point will be the spring to spring seats is fairly common and as mentioned swift sells plastic washers to help isolate. Another area is the top hat to car body, if you payed attention to the oem when you removed it there were paper gaskets on top of the oem hats. I didn't replace mine and have a slight bit of creaking on my powertrix but only going over speed bumps and since there isn't a plastic washer for the rear spring seat (none big enough so I may make my own later but haven't bothered) they make a little noise too so I didn't bother ordering new gaskets. If you want it truly quiet you'll need to eliminate all metal to metal contact points.

These are what i referenced:
Swift Race Spring Thrust Washers | SPL Parts

They're pretty cheap, and for the rear, due to the springs being separated from the shock, the install is super easy. Just get the car up, drop the arm, u can stick it in between the spring and mounting spots, and you're good to go.

on coilovers you'd need to disassemble to slip them in

solved all groaning/creaking sounds on the back of my Z after coilovers, i used them on my custom ground control/koni setup on my S14, and i installed them on my Fortune Autos for my IS300

no more noise from spring v perch on compression, its a great solution

there are thrust BEARINGS that are more complicated, expensive, and require maintenance