Rear springs clunk with custom Bilstein setup
#1
![Default](https://www.miataturbo.net/images/icons/icon1.gif)
Hey all,
I've recently picked up a set of nicely used NB Bilsteins for my 92NA (Was actually purchased off of here at, Mturbo)
the specs are as follow:
NB Bilsteins
NB Top hats
QA1 550F/450R
Unknown adjustable perches (I believe its Ebay?)
Big bar front, rear bar removed
Cut NB bump stops front, no rear bump stops (Got a set of 36mm linear that I will be throwing on this weekend)
Springs droop when the car is jacked up
Anyhow, I have no complaint about ride quality or height, actually I really like them as is at the moment. one thing that bothers me a little is springs 'clunk, clank' going over sharp bumps (Highway expansion joints, irregular small bumps and dips on local roads).
Some points to mention:
- On large dips, it stays fine and quite at any speed.
- Sound is much more evident & frequent at high speeds.
- At low speed, its hard to replicate the sound.
So I thought it was the top hat nuts, UCA nuts, LCA nuts, etc.. but they were triple checked at full load and are dang on spec. So I am pretty sure its the springs.
What I am suspecting is the following:
1. Springs are high rate, thus, unload rather violently after hitting sharp irregularities, causing it to become unseated
2. Springs are not getting unseated but its just getting loose enough, hiting the adjustable collars
Possible solution that I came up with:
1. Wrap the adjustable collars with garage door sealer to decrease any possible movement of the springs that may occur, creating more of a cheap spring isolator
2. Place some cushy-cushy stuff on wherever spring gets in contact with.
Oh and Yes, I did search but I couldn't exactly find an answer, so please excuse me if I am overseeing some stuff or even better, please guide me to an answer![](https://www.miataturbo.net/images/smilies/smile.gif)
Help a newb out please !
Thank you all in advance!
I've recently picked up a set of nicely used NB Bilsteins for my 92NA (Was actually purchased off of here at, Mturbo)
the specs are as follow:
NB Bilsteins
NB Top hats
QA1 550F/450R
Unknown adjustable perches (I believe its Ebay?)
Big bar front, rear bar removed
Cut NB bump stops front, no rear bump stops (Got a set of 36mm linear that I will be throwing on this weekend)
Springs droop when the car is jacked up
Anyhow, I have no complaint about ride quality or height, actually I really like them as is at the moment. one thing that bothers me a little is springs 'clunk, clank' going over sharp bumps (Highway expansion joints, irregular small bumps and dips on local roads).
Some points to mention:
- On large dips, it stays fine and quite at any speed.
- Sound is much more evident & frequent at high speeds.
- At low speed, its hard to replicate the sound.
So I thought it was the top hat nuts, UCA nuts, LCA nuts, etc.. but they were triple checked at full load and are dang on spec. So I am pretty sure its the springs.
What I am suspecting is the following:
1. Springs are high rate, thus, unload rather violently after hitting sharp irregularities, causing it to become unseated
2. Springs are not getting unseated but its just getting loose enough, hiting the adjustable collars
Possible solution that I came up with:
1. Wrap the adjustable collars with garage door sealer to decrease any possible movement of the springs that may occur, creating more of a cheap spring isolator
2. Place some cushy-cushy stuff on wherever spring gets in contact with.
Oh and Yes, I did search but I couldn't exactly find an answer, so please excuse me if I am overseeing some stuff or even better, please guide me to an answer
![](https://www.miataturbo.net/images/smilies/smile.gif)
Help a newb out please !
Thank you all in advance!
#8
![Default](https://www.miataturbo.net/images/icons/icon1.gif)
Sleeves are on tight with tapes underneath them.
Well, I ordered a pair of isolators from amazon and got them just now.
So adding one more question about setting it up:
I see some glue it on to the top hats and some place it on top of the springs.
Which method is correct / or incorrect?
Well, I ordered a pair of isolators from amazon and got them just now.
So adding one more question about setting it up:
I see some glue it on to the top hats and some place it on top of the springs.
Which method is correct / or incorrect?
#10
![Default](https://www.miataturbo.net/images/icons/icon1.gif)
Can you clarify this? If there's any gap between the spring and the upper spring perch at full droop, that will be your problem. Add preload until the spring stays seated when the car is jacked up. And make sure you're lifting both wheels when you check, since the sway bar will add preload of its own if you just jack one corner at a time.
If zero preload brings your ride height higher than you'd like, that means you need helper springs.
If zero preload brings your ride height higher than you'd like, that means you need helper springs.
#11
![Default](https://www.miataturbo.net/images/icons/icon1.gif)
Well thanks for the input.
What I learned from searching was that having no preload at full droop is not much of an issue? Please correct me if I am wrong.l!
(Major concensus was having loose spring at full droop doesnt matter much, I believe?)
I could put some preload and see. But other than the noise, whats the down side of running no preload, day to day basis?
What I learned from searching was that having no preload at full droop is not much of an issue? Please correct me if I am wrong.l!
![](https://www.miataturbo.net/images/smilies/smile.gif)
I could put some preload and see. But other than the noise, whats the down side of running no preload, day to day basis?
Can you clarify this? If there's any gap between the spring and the upper spring perch at full droop, that will be your problem. Add preload until the spring stays seated when the car is jacked up. And make sure you're lifting both wheels when you check, since the sway bar will add preload of its own if you just jack one corner at a time.
If zero preload brings your ride height higher than you'd like, that means you need helper springs.
If zero preload brings your ride height higher than you'd like, that means you need helper springs.
#12
![Default](https://www.miataturbo.net/images/icons/icon1.gif)
Well thanks for the input.
What I learned from searching was that having no preload at full droop is not much of an issue? Please correct me if I am wrong.l!
(Major concensus was having loose spring at full droop doesnt matter much, I believe?)
I could put some preload and see. But other than the noise, whats the down side of running no preload, day to day basis?
What I learned from searching was that having no preload at full droop is not much of an issue? Please correct me if I am wrong.l!
![](https://www.miataturbo.net/images/smilies/smile.gif)
I could put some preload and see. But other than the noise, whats the down side of running no preload, day to day basis?
Especially if you have no isolators. Metal 2 metal....
In my opinion.
#14
![Default](https://www.miataturbo.net/images/icons/icon1.gif)
Well thanks for the input.
What I learned from searching was that having no preload at full droop is not much of an issue? Please correct me if I am wrong.l!
(Major concensus was having loose spring at full droop doesnt matter much, I believe?)
I could put some preload and see. But other than the noise, whats the down side of running no preload, day to day basis?
What I learned from searching was that having no preload at full droop is not much of an issue? Please correct me if I am wrong.l!
![](https://www.miataturbo.net/images/smilies/smile.gif)
I could put some preload and see. But other than the noise, whats the down side of running no preload, day to day basis?
Solution: add helper/tender springs.
#18
![Default](https://www.miataturbo.net/images/icons/icon1.gif)
Well thanks for all the tips and advises.
To follow up on this issue, for future searchers, here's what happened.
1) After installing spring isolators (Energy suspension parts. Can't remember the part number....), 36mm linear bump stops, noises did indeed decrease but somehow the car was still knocking.
2) I began to observe the sound very closely and noticed that it does not clunk much at all if I am on throttle (Even hitting same bumps, which made crazy clunking noises w/o throttle). That got me thinking it maybe related to ............. exhaust......
3) Voila! After throwing on my trust worthy hose clamps to tighten exhaust hangers, noise completely disappears. I felt like a god damned turd....................
So in the end, even if you THINK you hear springs clunk and clank, double check the exhaust hangers (My exhaust didn't show any movement when I shook it by hand FYI. So even if the hangers do not seem to be the cause of issue, double check.
Anyhow, so far so good. Suspension handles amazingly, despite the high spring rate in the rear. Great subtle drop and comfier ride vs. stock suspension.![](https://www.miataturbo.net/images/smilies/smile.gif)
Again, thank you all for the inputs!
To follow up on this issue, for future searchers, here's what happened.
1) After installing spring isolators (Energy suspension parts. Can't remember the part number....), 36mm linear bump stops, noises did indeed decrease but somehow the car was still knocking.
2) I began to observe the sound very closely and noticed that it does not clunk much at all if I am on throttle (Even hitting same bumps, which made crazy clunking noises w/o throttle). That got me thinking it maybe related to ............. exhaust......
3) Voila! After throwing on my trust worthy hose clamps to tighten exhaust hangers, noise completely disappears. I felt like a god damned turd....................
So in the end, even if you THINK you hear springs clunk and clank, double check the exhaust hangers (My exhaust didn't show any movement when I shook it by hand FYI. So even if the hangers do not seem to be the cause of issue, double check.
Anyhow, so far so good. Suspension handles amazingly, despite the high spring rate in the rear. Great subtle drop and comfier ride vs. stock suspension.
![](https://www.miataturbo.net/images/smilies/smile.gif)
Again, thank you all for the inputs!
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04-21-2016 03:00 PM