Coilover Clunk affected by Temperature?

[ajcarson11]

Morning All,

I've run into something that I find fairly interesting, and I'd like some opinions:

I installed Tein Flex Z coilovers (to compliment new wheels and tires) in December 2015 myself. I had no trouble with the install, and I lowered the car around -1.5 inches and had a motorsport shop align everything. Came away with -2.7 camber in front, -2.4 in rear.

A few weeks later (late December) I began to notice some noise (clicking, clunking) when driving over bumps or change in gradients. The noise stayed consistent and was only observed from both passenger side coilovers. The noise was worst in mornings when cold and seemed to improve slightly after driving for a few minutes. Average temperature around this time period: 10-25deg f.

I parked the car when snow started to come in more steadily. I did research and determined that the clunk could be caused by one of a few things:

1. Too little spring preload (possible.. as I only added preload by hand to snug)
2. Loose top nut on coilover (possible...)
3. Loose sway bar endlink nut (possible.. as I tightened this with wheels off ground)
4. Coilover Pillowball Defect (seemed unlikely as purchased brand new and noise was coming from rear as well)

The snow has cleared and I have begun to drive the car this week. The temperature sits around 50-65deg and I have not yet observed a single noise or clunk from the coilovers. This is the first time I have driven the car since parking it in the snowy season. I have now driven for 3-4 days without issue.

Is it simply possible that a coilover could produce noise (clunk, click) in cold temperatures, and not in warmer temperatures?

Thanks All!

[shellslinger]

I have the same issue. Whenever its cold I hear clunks and creaks but when the temperature warms up I don't have the noise anymore.

[Cybmx]

I have some clunk and squeaking noise from steering too when cold, and goes away in warm weather. Car is stock and new with 4000 miles. Took it in the dealer and they had the car for three days, could not duplicate the noise... And now it's warm again the noise went away, super strange

[Gear_One_Performance]

Not specific to the Teins, but I've seen this happen from time to time, it's hard to tell specifics but it wouldn't be beyond the realm of possibility.

[jasonojordan]

I had a clunk develop on my isc coil overs. turned out to just be the top nut like you had listed as a possibility. Curious to hear the cause. Sorry I dont have any insite.

[churchx]

Winter = firmer and noisier suspension? Yes. In most cars i've driven. Only extent of that varies.

[strat61caster]

Jack the car up and grab the wheel and move it around, that's how I found my loose top nut a few days ago. Took some fiddling to eliminate the bolts one by one.

[mpross]

Sorry if this is a little late, but after spending some time on the phone with the coilover manufacturer he did tell me that temperature can create noise for a couple reasons.

1. In the front, since cold temperatures can cause the pillowball to contract it may create a tiny bit of play. With pillowballs, a tiny amount of play can create quite a bit of noise.

2. The oil on the shocks gets more viscous in colder temps and can cause noises to occur until the temp in the shocks increases or until ambient temperature rises.

it's not a solution, and it's still super annoying, but that's straight from the head tech at BuddyClub. I know the OP's setup is Tein, but it still applies

[ajcarson11]

Thanks! You're spot on. Haven't had a single noise or complaint since temperatures have risen.