Lowering question... knocking sound..

[adzy_k]

Hi Everyone. .

Please can you all help me... Ive got evo 8 mr and recently had it lowered with eibach springs...
Since this has been done im noticing a knocking sound from the front left suspension area when I go over uneven roads or small pot holes...
This was never the case before. . Im not knowledgeable about car mechanical stuff any advice would be appreciated. . I took it back to the garage who did it and now they saying irs the suspension that needs changing! But previously it was running fine with same suspension and I feel im not convinced. . What are your guys thoughts??

 

[Billy MR]

Hi,

Has the spring been seated properly in the cup?
Is the top mount nuts tight?
Check the drop link?

 

[adzy_k]

Hi,

Has the spring been seated properly in the cup?
the top mount nuts tight?
Check the drop link?

That's just it Billy mr- im not mechanical clued up and to check these things Is out of my scope.... ; ( should I take It to another mechanic for second opinion?

 

[Billy MR]

The same mechanic could sort it or just find a good garage to look at it and say what I've said for him to check

 

[adzy_k]

The same mechanic could sort it or just find a good garage to look at it and say i've said for him to check

The mechanic who recently changed my springs kept the old top suspension mounts.... Do u think this could possibly be the reason??

 

[Billy MR]

Why would he keep the top mounts? Could be the problem...
With put hearing it, it's hard to say but it can't be much else from the above
I'd be going back there and telling him to sort it.

 

[adzy_k]

Why would he keep the top mounts? Could be the problem...
With put hearing it, it's hard to say but it can't be much else from the above
I'd be going back there and telling him to sort it.

Im really not sure buddy....; (
This is why im losing faith in this dude whos meant to be a so called evo specialist.....
ive also noticed if there is a passenger sitting in the front its actually less rattle...?
just out of curiosity if it was a shock absourber that was gone... what kind of symptoms would one get...?
I really really appreciate your help ...

 

[ElDopesta]

Hi Buddy.

When you had the Springs fitted, did the mechanic say that he will be replacing the Strut Top Mounts too?

If so, what was his reason to do so?

If not, why did he do that?

As Billy has stated , there are some simple checks that can be done in order to ascertain which component is knocking.

As I do not know where you had the work done, or how skilled the mechanic is for that matter, I will give YOU the run down on what can cause a knock after that Service Interval is complete so that YOU have a better understanding for the future:

It could be that the Strut Top Mount Bolt is not fully tightened, or, a necessary washer / retainer or two, that are part of the kit has / have not been added. As a result, the Shock Absorber is not fully secured so the excessive play is allowing it to knock around whilst going over bumps etc.

If that is not the case then the only other reasons that I can think of are the following:

When removing the Leg, one or more Linkages / Joints / Bushes has / have gained excessive play due to "shock".

In the above case, it can easily occur either because the said component was already on it's way out or because it was unecessarily butchered.

Lastly, and this may be what the mechanic is referring to in your particular case:

The Shock Absorber was already weak before the lowering springs were added to the equation and now that the car is sitting lower, the Shock Absorber has less distance to travel which means that the Floating Piston is hitting the base of the Cylinder or the Cylider is hitting the Top Mount.

I advise you to take it to your nearest KwikFit, they will check it free of charge for you.

Do not commit yourself to having anything done by them until you get back to us right here so that we can advise further.


PLEASE UPDATE YOUR USER PROFILE TO INCLUDE YOUR LOCATION.

 

[ElDopesta]

Im really not sure buddy....; (
.....
ive also noticed if there is a passenger sitting in the front its actually less rattle...?

If the knock is reduced then it may well be that there is an issue with the Top Mount Nut not being tightened enough or a Washer was removed when stripping down and not added when refitting.

Either that, or the Top Mount itself is faulty.

PLEASE UPDATE YOUR USER PROFILE TO INCLUDE YOUR LOCATION.

 

[adzy_k]

If the knock is reduced then it may well be that there is an issue with the Top Mount Nut not being tightened enough or a Washer was removed when stripping down and not added when refitting.

Either that, or the Top Mount itself is faulty.

PLEASE UPDATE YOUR USER PROFILE TO INCLUDE YOUR LOCATION.

ElDopesta : wow!!! WHAT A REPLY!!
Thank you so so much for taking out the time to explaining with so much detail..... It really means alot.... I will definitely do what you suggested and get back to you.....

So nice to have such knowledgeable people on this forum... People like me sometimes can get taken for a mug with mechanics who just want to make money..
By the way im in London. .

 

[ElDopesta]

ElDopesta : wow!!! WHAT A REPLY!!
Thank you so so much for taking out the time to explaining with so much detail..... It really means alot.... I will definitely do what you suggested and get back to you.....

So nice to have such knowledgeable people on this forum... People like me sometimes can get taken for a mug with mechanics who just want to make money..
By the way im in London. .

No worries buddy.

It's what we're here for!


You need to update your location by accessing the User Control Panel.

Click on the top left User CP clicky and then check the options on the left.

 

[andyw08]

Im sure on the 8 it has shock inserts, iv heard of these causing a knocking noise when the dry up. If you have the spring off theres a big nut on the bottom of the lower spring plate, if you remove the nut it should pull out, grease it up and see if that works........worth a try

 

[adzy_k]

Hi Buddy.

When you had the Springs fitted, did the mechanic say that he will be replacing the Strut Top Mounts too?

If so, what was his reason to do so?

If not, why did he do that?

As Billy has stated , there are some simple checks that can be done in order to ascertain which component is knocking.

As I do not know where you had the work done, or how skilled the mechanic is for that matter, I will give YOU the run down on what can cause a knock after that Service Interval is complete so that YOU have a better understanding for the future:

It could be that the Strut Top Mount Bolt is not fully tightened, or, a necessary washer / retainer or two, that are part of the kit has / have not been added. As a result, the Shock Absorber is not fully secured so the excessive play is allowing it to knock around whilst going over bumps etc.

If that is not the case then the only other reasons that I can think of are the following:

When removing the Leg, one or more Linkages / Joints / Bushes has / have gained excessive play due to "shock".

In the above case, it can easily occur either because the said component was already on it's way out or because it was unecessarily butchered.

Lastly, and this may be what the mechanic is referring to in your particular case:

The Shock Absorber was already weak before the lowering springs were added to the equation and now that the car is sitting lower, the Shock Absorber has less distance to travel which means that the Floating Piston is hitting the base of the Cylinder or the Cylider is hitting the Top Mount.

I advise you to take it to your nearest KwikFit, they will check it free of charge for you.

Do not commit yourself to having anything done by them until you get back to us right here so that we can advise further.


PLEASE UPDATE YOUR USER PROFILE TO INCLUDE YOUR LOCATION.

So.... Today I went down to my local kwik fit garage they put it up on the ramp and took a real good look at it and this ramp had some device in that would shake the car left and right (what ever thats called!) But they couldn't see any obvious problem with it... The mechanic who lowered it said there was a leak on the suspension but kwik fit couldn't seem to find it... On Wednesday im going to try take to another mechanic who I trust and see what he makes out of it.... Kwik fit didnt test drive it so didn't hear the knocking im talking about but I will get this other mechanic to drive it...:arms:

 

[ElDopesta]

Was it perhaps raining when you went to KwikFit?

 

[adzy_k]

Was it perhaps raining when you went to KwikFit?

No, it wasn't... It was a really nice warm day...
Why? What makes ask?
I'm taking it to another garage next week Wednesday.. I hoping that mechanic can get me out of my misery .. He used to service my civic type R that I used to have before.... Was really happy with his work...
Since I bought my evo I've only ever taken it to one garage but I'm not entirely happy as many things they have done I've had to take it back many times.. I don't know- just losing hope with them.. They meant to be evo specialists too.... I just want things done correctly.!

 

[ElDopesta]

Sometimes it's quite difficult to detect a leak when it's been raining as the whole component is wet.

Keep us posted on how you get on.

 

[adzy_k]

Sometimes it's quite difficult to detect a leak when it's been raining as the whole component is wet.

Keep us posted on how you get on.

I sure will.... Thank u again for your support..

 

[ElDopesta]

No problem at all.

 

[adzy_k]

Sometimes it's quite difficult to detect a leak when it's been raining as the whole component is wet.

Keep us posted on how you get on.

Ok...... So today I took it to a another mechanic- a really good one who use to service my type R (TGM in fleet).. And mechanic give a proper comprehensive check over... He certainly couldn't find and leak on suspension or problem with suspension..he checked all bolts and top mount and all seem fine.. He didn't find any major issues with fitting and if any thing he feels the drop links seem slightly worn especially the L side but not majorly .. This is where the knocking is coming from....
Well ...what should I do?? Shall I change them??

 

[Andy6]

It's an absolute nightmare trying to find suspension knocks, Ive replaced the front wishbones, bushes, topmounts, shocks and springs recently. Top mount change cured some but not all of the knocking, it was only when I changed the shocks did the knock go. Even now on close inspection (not disassembled however) there is no indication that they are worn or damaged, there is no leaks and the damper operates smoothly. My best advice is to try and borrow a known good set swap them over to find out if it is the shocks. Might be difficult to do but it could be the only way without sinking a ton of money on new suspension like me :cry: