rear lower amrs installed, now slight clank over bumps?

[Shinchu]

*ARMS. lower arms. damn not being able to edit thread title...


so I had PBM lower arms sitting around for almost a year.
finally put them on this weekend and now at low speeds over bumps, there is a faint *CLANK*.
I know the arms will increase NVH with solid joint, but...
has anyone else experienced this with aftermarket lower arms?


I am going to go back and make sure everything is tight when I get home tonight. jam nuts are all tight and I didn't use impact since the arms started to "pinch" (PBM are steel plate like stock) so I didn't go full gorilla tight.
I admit I was puckered all the way to work today.
for some reason it only happens at low speed?


other than that, the ride is excellent!

[Captain Snooze]

Originally Posted by Shinchu

*ARMS. lower arms. damn not being able to edit thread title...

If you go to "Edit" then "Go Advanced" you can edit the title.

[solidONE]

Originally Posted by Shinchu

*ARMS. lower arms. damn not being able to edit thread title...


so I had PBM lower arms sitting around for almost a year.
finally put them on this weekend and now at low speeds over bumps, there is a faint *CLANK*.
I know the arms will increase NVH with solid joint, but...
has anyone else experienced this with aftermarket lower arms?


I am going to go back and make sure everything is tight when I get home tonight. jam nuts are all tight and I didn't use impact since the arms started to "pinch" (PBM are steel plate like stock) so I didn't go full gorilla tight.
I admit I was puckered all the way to work today.
for some reason it only happens at low speed?


other than that, the ride is excellent!

They way the PBM arms were designed there is a fair amount of gap where the arm is bolted to the hub assembly. That space that can allow some clanking sounds when the arm shifts around on the hub carrier.

It's pretty retarded, but those arms are beefy as hell. It's more of an annoyance than anything.

[Shinchu]

Ok. Sounds crazy at less than 40mph. Then goes away. But lower speeds it sounds like something is binding or loose. I get out and look, but it all looks fine.

I tried going as tight as possible when i noticed the arm was pinching shut like squeezing a hard shell taco. Then the bolt went *ping!* and sheared its threads off! Got a replacement and went almost as tight but didnt want to circumsize another bolt.

Maybe adding a washer on either side of the strut bushing inside the arm? Im about to call pbm and see what they say.

[solidONE]

Originally Posted by Shinchu

Ok. Sounds crazy at less than 40mph. Then goes away. But lower speeds it sounds like something is binding or loose. I get out and look, but it all looks fine.

I tried going as tight as possible when i noticed the arm was pinching shut like squeezing a hard shell taco. Then the bolt went *ping!* and sheared its threads off! Got a replacement and went almost as tight but didnt want to circumsize another bolt.

Maybe adding a washer on either side of the strut bushing inside the arm? Im about to call pbm and see what they say.

Spacers/washer is probably the best way to go about taking out any slop. IIRC the material is pretty thick (3/16" - 1/4" or something ridiculous like that) , so it's not surprising that the bolt stretched or broke if you manage to torque it down enough to pinch it like a taco shell.

[Shinchu]

Got off the phone with dan at pbm. Said its most likely nvh or maybe loose top nut on the coilover.
I have been driving noisey drift cars for over 13 years. Doesnt sound like nvh to me.
Checked top nuts, snug as can be.
Then i got out of the drivers seat there it was.
*clank*
I only weigh 200 so...
Hopped back in and i was able to get it to clank again.
Got out and shook the car back and forth from the trunk.
Clank city.

Gonna investigate more later. I have other adulting to attend to until then. But i suspect either slop at strut bushings, orrrrr....?
Basically gonna have remove and re install the arms all over again. Cars... best pita ever.

[solidONE]

I'd try slapping a couple of washers in there and see if the noise goes away. Did you ask them why they designed so much slop into the hub carrier end? That gap obviously allow fore and aft movement in the control arms. Do they think that couldn't be the cause of any noises? lol

[Shinchu]

Hub carrier! I bet thats where its coming from! Well shit, i will get after it with my impact wrench after dindin. Thanks man!

Ufck yes i just said dindin. Deal with it.

[solidONE]

I prefer the term "nom-noms" It's much more versatile

[strat61caster]

@Shinchu check the sway bar links, that's the source of most of my rlca noise issues, different brand but it's easy to not have it perfect, tons of variables.

Pull out at least one rear sway bar end link and go for a drive, if the noise is gone you found your problem.

[Shinchu]

i think its my spring clanking against my upper hat.
never heard it until now, but seems ok. gave the spring a twist yesterday and its been... better. not gone but its reduced.

[solidONE]

Photo borrowed from this thread: http://www.ft86club.com/forums/showthread.php?t=74309



One thing you can try to do to maybe locate the source of the noise.. With the rear jacked up securely, forcibly move the LCA back and forth to see if it produce any sounds similar to what you heard while in the car.

[Shinchu]

I tried that yesterday too. all I did was twist the arm? kinda weird.
but that's when I shook my spring and heard what was pretty close to the sound I was after. its much better now.


and I just read the whole thread you linked. OP said he called PBM (so did I but dan just gave me the NVH schpeel), and they told him the pillow ball needs time to settle in. said its getting better over time.


im officially not freaked out anymore.


THANKS!

[x808drifter]

Originally Posted by Shinchu

I tried that yesterday too. all I did was twist the arm? kinda weird.
but that's when I shook my spring and heard what was pretty close to the sound I was after. its much better now.


and I just read the whole thread you linked. OP said he called PBM (so did I but dan just gave me the NVH schpeel), and they told him the pillow ball needs time to settle in. said its getting better over time.


im officially not freaked out anymore.


THANKS!

Spring not preloaded???