Installed BC coilovers.. consistent popping noise - Toyota GR86, 86, FR-S and Subaru BRZ Forum & Owners Community

ducking · 12-07-2020, 09:52 PM

Hello all. Recently, I installed BC Racing BR series coilovers. They ride amazingly and achieve the perfect height I want for a daily. Only issue is that they pop (in the front) pretty consistently. I knew I needed lower ball joints so I replaced those today. Even after replacing those, I still hear the pop. It's pretty much all the time. Here's what I've looked at so far:

1. I've inspected the tightness of all the bolts relating to what I replace. Everything is at torque spec for the part (using the factory manual).

2. Adjusted front pre-load multiple times (recommended is around 5mm, and that's where it's at right now).

3. Tightened the collars on the coilovers as much as humanly possible.

Here's what I noticed:

1. the outter tie rod ends have a bit of seepage from the joint around the top of the rubber gromet. Could the issue be tie rod ends?

2. Even with the preload set to manufacturer recommend specification, the spring can still be twisted with relative ease and moved back and forth (very slightly) with a good bit of force.

The current situation is midly frustrating, any advice on what to do next would be greatly appreciated. Thanks for your time

norcalpb · 12-07-2020, 10:20 PM

The nuts that connect to the strut to the top hat...are they tight?

ducking · 12-08-2020, 09:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by norcalpb

The nuts that connect to the strut to the top hat...are they tight?

they seem to be. Now that you mentioned it, that's the one thing I haven't put a torque wrench on yet. I'll look at that.

HaXx · 12-08-2020, 07:00 PM

check your front swaybar end links?

ducking · 12-09-2020, 09:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HaXx

check your front swaybar end links?

Yes. Even swapped them out for some brand new OEM sway bar links I had lying around. Still popping. I've adjusted preload about 10 times at this point. I've torqued and retorqued the tophats/camber plates. I've even checked the subframe bolts, motor mount bolts, steering rack bolts, and it still hasn't fixed it. I've had a couple ideas thrown around that it might be the camber plates shifting since it's just metal on metal, but if they were shifting you'd be able to see marks on the body from that wouldn't you? Regardless, there are no marks from anything shifting. I've also tried adjusting the dampening with the adjusters on top of the coilovers, still nothing no matter what setting it's at. I'm very confused and I'm just looking for anything that could be causing it.

Also, it happens no matter the surface, no matter the angle of the wheel. Nothing seems to change it.

HaXx · 12-10-2020, 12:57 AM

I wonder if it's your (or lack of) radial bearings. Look them up and what they do. Twist the spring and it might pop/hop/click as it turns seperate from the top hat. Radial bearings dismiss this. I'm just thinking out loud to try and come up with something that'll stick for you

Video is always helpful too. Can u replicate it turning the wheels while parked, or does it onloy happen w suspension travel

marco_mc22 · 12-11-2020, 02:27 AM

If you can, try oem top hats. Some plates are noisy, no matter if they are torqued correctly or not

86MLR · 12-11-2020, 02:41 AM

What height?

Your OEM bar links may be hitting

NoHaveMSG · 12-14-2020, 03:57 PM

If the top nut is tight then it could easily be play in the pillowball. Even a little bit of play will make a good amount of noise.

12-07-2020, 09:52 PM	#1
ducking Junior Member Join Date: Dec 2017 Drives: 2014 Firestorm Red Scion FR-S Location: Memphis, TN Posts: 3 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Mentioned: 0 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	Installed BC coilovers.. consistent popping noise Hello all. Recently, I installed BC Racing BR series coilovers. They ride amazingly and achieve the perfect height I want for a daily. Only issue is that they pop (in the front) pretty consistently. I knew I needed lower ball joints so I replaced those today. Even after replacing those, I still hear the pop. It's pretty much all the time. Here's what I've looked at so far: 1. I've inspected the tightness of all the bolts relating to what I replace. Everything is at torque spec for the part (using the factory manual). 2. Adjusted front pre-load multiple times (recommended is around 5mm, and that's where it's at right now). 3. Tightened the collars on the coilovers as much as humanly possible. Here's what I noticed: 1. the outter tie rod ends have a bit of seepage from the joint around the top of the rubber gromet. Could the issue be tie rod ends? 2. Even with the preload set to manufacturer recommend specification, the spring can still be twisted with relative ease and moved back and forth (very slightly) with a good bit of force. The current situation is midly frustrating, any advice on what to do next would be greatly appreciated. Thanks for your time

12-08-2020, 07:00 PM	#4
HaXx Member Join Date: Dec 2017 Drives: jrsc_brz Location: boston Posts: 965 Thanks: 726 Thanked 676 Times in 337 Posts Mentioned: 5 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	check your front swaybar end links? __________________ JACKSON RACING l RALLYBACKER l FORGESTAR l FORTUNE AUTO l INVIDIA

12-10-2020, 12:57 AM	#6
HaXx Member Join Date: Dec 2017 Drives: jrsc_brz Location: boston Posts: 965 Thanks: 726 Thanked 676 Times in 337 Posts Mentioned: 5 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	I wonder if it's your (or lack of) radial bearings. Look them up and what they do. Twist the spring and it might pop/hop/click as it turns seperate from the top hat. Radial bearings dismiss this. I'm just thinking out loud to try and come up with something that'll stick for you Video is always helpful too. Can u replicate it turning the wheels while parked, or does it onloy happen w suspension travel __________________ JACKSON RACING l RALLYBACKER l FORGESTAR l FORTUNE AUTO l INVIDIA

12-11-2020, 02:41 AM	#8
86MLR Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2018 Drives: 2002 VX Commodore SS LS1 Auto Location: Sydney Posts: 2,203 Thanks: 500 Thanked 2,185 Times in 1,111 Posts Mentioned: 13 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	What height? Your OEM bar links may be hitting __________________ Disclaimer: This post represents the official views of the voices in my head at the time of posting. http://www.ft86club.com/forums/showthread.php?t=133311 I'm only here for the biscuits

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Newly installed Apexi EXV N1 coilovers clunk noise when car’s cold	stlgrym3	Suspension \| Chassis \| Brakes -- Sponsored by 949 Racing	2	03-02-2018 02:04 PM
Street Basis Z coilovers installed. Coil binding, sway bar popping? Help	BloodyshoedFR-S	Suspension \| Chassis \| Brakes -- Sponsored by 949 Racing	2	11-21-2017 02:41 PM
Consistent Humming Noise From Front Right Area	zussypoo	Issues \| Warranty \| Recalls / TSB	4	08-24-2015 06:19 PM
TRD Air Intake Popping Noise	ButtonMasher	Issues \| Warranty \| Recalls / TSB	2	03-27-2014 03:18 PM
DI Popping noise, just installed new updated tune file.	Bg8780	Issues \| Warranty \| Recalls / TSB	21	06-28-2013 12:56 AM

12-07-2020, 10:20 PM	#2
norcalpb Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2013 Drives: 2013 BRZ, 2023 Model 3 Location: SF Bay Area Posts: 2,345 Thanks: 1,256 Thanked 902 Times in 590 Posts Mentioned: 15 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	The nuts that connect to the strut to the top hat...are they tight?

12-11-2020, 02:27 AM	#7
marco_mc22 Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2017 Drives: Toyota 86 Location: Italy Posts: 139 Thanks: 42 Thanked 74 Times in 57 Posts Mentioned: 2 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	If you can, try oem top hats. Some plates are noisy, no matter if they are torqued correctly or not

User Name		Remember Me?
Password