Are clunk noises normal after installing lowering springs?
 

First post on these forums, yay, lol.
How's it going everyone.


I recently just had Eibach Sportsline Lowering Springs installed onto my front two wheels of my 2018 Toyota GT86. I only had the two front springs changed because of weather and time limitations, while I was planning to get the two rear changed this upcoming weekend.


However, after my friend who works on cars installed them, we went out for a test drive to see how they feel. The car doesn't feel much different compared to the stock springs, however a weird clunk noise seems to be coming out of the front of the car, both left and right side. I have read that it is normal to hear more of the road noise and interactions with the ground when you lower the car, but I feel as if there is something much more to it. The noise comes at its strongest when I go over a bump, or some type of pavement changes you'll normally find on a road. However, even when I am driving on a solid straight road, these clunk noises persist sometimes, which worries me that some parts might be scraping on one another when they're not supposed too.



At first my friend thought it was some loose bolts and what not, but we made sure and tightened everything up, the noise still continues. My boss who drives a BRZ said that it is normal, as the something similar happened to him when he installed his lowering springs, that it is just the springs settling in because they are brand new. He said to just give it time and that the noise will eventually fade away. I went to les schwab to get my front end alignment, but after I told the guy at the counter what I keep hearing, he told me that I shouldn't be hearing any clunk noises at all, and to get it checked/fixed before I get my alignment to play safe because the car is brand new, which had me worried that this noise i'm hearing shouldn't be happening. I keep getting told multiple things so I don't know what is right or wrong! I'm not sure if something went wrong with the installation process, cause everything looked fine, or if it's the springs its self doing that, but I'm just worried that I shouldn't be hearing these noises as they sound as if something isn't right, and its driving me crazy. Look, I understand that if these noises are SUPPOSED to occur, I get it, Ill deal with it for the low looks of the car, but as of right now I don't know if these noises are happening because something is broken of if something was done incorrectly. I'm not trying to take my car to the shop where they will diagnose the problem or install the springs so they can charge me $300+ if this noise is supposed to happen. But if it means getting them installed right and curing the noise problem, I'm more than willing to do so you know?



Has anyone experienced this with these specific springs or springs in general? Any advice? Should I get my alignment done quickly? Should I wait? Go back to stock? I don't want to get my rears done yet until I figure out if this noise is supposed to happen or not, just to avoid anymore stress and money for the installation process.


Here is a small video of the noise, tell me what you think? Normal? Not normal at all?



[ame]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HSYtG15uOSM[/ame]


Car is completely stock by the way.



Thank you all for help and support!

You end links probably loose. Not normal, check everything again

Or your endlink is fouling, ummm, where the end linklink fouls.

You most likely require shorter or adjustable endlinks.

It could be fouling lower from, ummmm, lowering, or higher from to much camber.

My bet is lower, look for witness marks.

Look for this

How good is google

Okay I'll make sure to check that out, and if that does so happen to be the case, do I need endlinks for the rear as well if I get them lowered? Or does this only apply to the front wheels

Just the front

Make sure you measure before you buy.

Hmm what exactly is it that I have to measure now? Sorry I'm new when it comes to this lol. Learning though!

Welcome to the forum, Artxjr - :clap:

If this car is your DD, I suggest you take your car and the springs to a qualified shop and have them properly installed and an alignment done.

If you want to get some hands on automotive experience, I suggest you buy a beater, for you and your buddy to play with - ;)


humfrz

Thanks! And yes, It is my DD. That probably is the best route to go. How much on average will it cost to get the rear springs installed? I know it varies from shop to shop, but what us way too much from something like this?

Work out where its hitting and why first.

Are your sway bars OEM?

The wheels need to be on the ground, or ramp, or lift, the cars weight needs to be on the tyres IOT load the suspension, you need to do this.

1.Measure the OEM endlink length.
2. Measure how much clearance is required.
3. Subtract the required clearance from the OEM length.
4. Measure it all again.

Then find a link that suits, whether it's adjustable or fixed.

There is a ton of info on clearance problems and how to set them up correctly so there is no preload.

https://www.ft86club.com/forums/showthread.php?t=93733

Easy peasy

I suggest you call around for some estimates.

Since you have the front springs more or less already on, I would think a shop would check the front spring installation and install the rear springs for a couple hundred dollars.

Of course, then have them do an alignment.

Of course, everything costs more than I think it should - :bonk:


Then, after you get it lowered - stay waaaaay back from the parking stops. Like when you pull up and think you can get a little closer - DON'T DO IT!

;)


humfrz

This sounds like end-links we're not properly tightened on where it meets the strut, I would check it again.

I just installed Sportlines on my friend's BRZ and didn't have any noise issues, but when I did my coilovers that was the culprit.

Did you tighten down the upper strut nut with the car in the air?

If so you should try to tighten it down now that it is on the ground.

Edit: Sorry, I deleted my incorrect statement.