New Struts / Bad Problem

[GTJEFF]

I just replaced all four struts and the fronts are making a terrible clunking sound. I even took those fockers off AGAIN, disassembled, and reinstalled just to make sure.

The insulators, seats, and bearing plate are all positioned correctly. At this point I'm completely lost.

On to the symptoms. Let me start off by saying that the ride is outstanding. These are brand new sensatracs. Virtually no sway and dampening is great, but.... every time I hit a bump or crack for that matter I hear a bad clunk. It's coming from both sides too.

With the ride being so good I'm clueless now. I used the book and this thread (http://www.grandamgt.com/forum/showthread.php?t=65373&highlight=replacing+struts) for visual reference and am pretty confident they are on right.

Any thoughts?

edited for hyperlink

[cardude007617]

did u get new strut mounts?

[GTJEFF]

I didn't get new mounts, but I did my best to refurb the old ones. They weren't that bad. I cleaned and lubed them, but they weren't torn up.

[GTJEFF]

It can't be the mounts because they didn't do it before the strut swap. I didn't get new springs either and they're oriented the same way on the mounts.

[AaronGTR]

The thunking or rattling over bumps is usually a symptom of the nut not being tight enough on the strut shaft. This leaves some play where the shaft goes through the upper mount so when the shaft changes direction you hear a thunk as it hits the metal part of the mount before the shaft moves.

This was a common problem with early runs of the KYB GR2 struts because they didn't cut the threads on the shaft far enough down. It could always pop up in a different brand though, or simply if the nuts aren't tightened all the way down. You can try putting a large washer under the nut though and re-tightening it and see what that does. Hope that helps.

[GTJEFF]

The thunking or rattling over bumps is usually a symptom of the nut not being tight enough on the strut shaft. This leaves some play where the shaft goes through the upper mount so when the shaft changes direction you hear a thunk as it hits the metal part of the mount before the shaft moves.

This was a common problem with early runs of the KYB GR2 struts because they didn't cut the threads on the shaft far enough down. It could always pop up in a different brand though, or simply if the nuts aren't tightened all the way down. You can try putting a large washer under the nut though and re-tightening it and see what that does. Hope that helps.


Thanks, I think you're right, and that makes a lot of sense. I'll try that.

[ryanbgb22]

thats what my problem was. makes a terrible noise, especially over small bumps.

[drumking1721]

i have the same issue...i just deal with it...

[ryanbgb22]

i have the same issue...i just deal with it...

so you still ahve that problem? Its driving me crazy, I stil have it over like small bumps and backing out of the driveway, but its nothing like when i didnt have those top nuts tightened.

[GTJEFF]

I actually put the nut on the strut rods on with an impact because of the spinning, and I did them by myself. They are one there pretty tight. I'm going to try the washers tomorrow.

[timberwoof]

Since I've lived in the apartment complex, the speed bumps have caused my struts to start rattling also, well more than usual. Its not that much of a problem right now, because i'm gonna everntually get the eibach springs and KYB struts.

Until then I'm probably gonna put a bigger washer to tighten it up.

[drumking1721]

yea i get them over speed bumps in my apartment complex and little dumb bumps. Ive accepted the noise. But the washer thing sounds like an idearrrrrrrrrrrr so ill try that at some point

[GTJEFF]

alright, the problem was that I used the nuts that came with the OEM replacement sensatracs instead of the original strut shaft nuts. As you can see the originals have a built in spacer. I dug them out of the trash and then it was all too obvious. AaronGTR got me thinking with the washer fix so that's when I dug the original nuts out. Now all is well and best of all no noises. The ride is factory fresh and that's really nice.

It was explained already, but without the bearing plate being tight and seated on the strut assembly there was a lot of play and noise going on. This wasn't obvious at first because the tension the spring kept on everything. When finally installed on the car and driving though it was very noticeable.

Thanks all!

http://i212.photobucket.com/albums/cc62/fffosterjjj/Nuts.jpg

[Mendoza]

Is there any way you can take a picture off that piece on the car? I am kinda confused on what bolt that is. Is it the bolt that goes in the center of the strut? Or around it.

[ryanbgb22]

Is there any way you can take a picture off that piece on the car? I am kinda confused on what bolt that is. Is it the bolt that goes in the center of the strut? Or around it.

pretty sure thats the nut thats on the top of the strut mount that goes into the strut post or w/e its called. The center nut when your looking at the whole assembly under the hood.

[GTJEFF]

pretty sure thats the nut thats on the top of the strut mount that goes into the strut post or w/e its called. The center nut when your looking at the whole assembly under the hood.


right. That's the nut that screws onto the top of the strut rod itself.