help with weird gap. =(

[11SynergyGr&Bl]

Ok after installing my amazing pfadt stage 2. I kept hearing this weird knock, only going over speed humps/bumps. I checked and saw this.... why is it now sitting like this? I've retorqued the.bolts, checked everything, yet this gap still remains help!!

[TMoneySS]

The gap is normal! As for the "popping" sound could be similar to this: http://www.camaro5.com/forums/showthread.php?t=148648. I hope this helps!

TMoneySS (Taylor)

Found a couple more threads that adress both of your issues!

http://www.camaro5.com/forums/showth...r+gap+lowering

http://www.camaro5.com/forums/showth...r+gap+lowering

[yotaman96]

I made the same post after I installed mine. It's normal.

http://www.camaro5.com/forums/showthread.php?t=145149

[PfadtRacing]

This gap is absolutely normal, if you head down to your local friendly GM dealership and pop the hood of one of their Camaros you'll see the same thing. That plate that is riding above your strut tower is just to prevent the shock from falling out while the suspension is at full droop, like while on a lift.

The popping could be from a few different things. Be sure to check that your spring and rubber spring isolator is properly seated at the upper spring perch. Also check the condition of your sway bar endlinks, the stock endlinks are prone to bending and can cause popping while coming in and out of driveways.

If you have any questions please feel free to contact us! We're available via PM here on Camaro5, or via phone 9am - 5pm Mountain Standard time Monday-Friday at 1-888-972-2464.

--
Jarrett

[Zach]

here is what i suggest.... stand on that side of the car and bounce it up and down. if its still tapping/clicking bounce it and then let go, if it bounces more then a couple times past TDC (top dead center im pretty sure it is) then your strut mount is bad you can also feel the popping if its bad

[The Dark Knight]

My G8 has both your "issues" too. Normal stuff.

[Cam 427]

I recently jacked the front of the car up and I heard a bumping or "popping" sound. I looked towards where sound came from and saw no gap on the right strut retainer and a little gap on the left. I let the car down and the gap returned to what the picture above shows. I then jacked the car back up and heard the same noise from the right side and the saw the retainer against the strut tower.

I took the nut and retainer off to check the nut under the retainer for torque. The nut was not loose

This seems, to me, a strange way of designing a front suspension where the strut can move up and down like this.

[Zach]

if you have done recent suspension work it possibly could not have fit? other then that it shouldnt move at all..... there is probobly ment to be a gap but something has got to be loose for it to be moving.

[Cam 427]

Originally Posted by Zach

if you have done recent suspension work it possibly could not have fit? other then that it shouldnt move at all..... there is probobly ment to be a gap but something has got to be loose for it to be moving.

No mods to the front suspension other than a sway bar. I haven't heard any thumps when driving... just when jacking the front up with the wheels hanging.

Has anyone else jacked the front of the car up on the frame and checked the gaps at the strut retainers?

[Cam 427]

Just found an interesting thread worth looking at: http://www.camaro5.com/forums/showth...=1#post3251331

[11SynergyGr&Bl]

Bumping like this is not "normal" if it is then ill redesign this myself. I've done plenty of suspension upgrades for all differnt kinds of cars. None of.which I've.ever seen a suspension not fully attached to the car. Lol. Im haven't played with it enough but im not sure how much "play" is up inside there for it to move around when it does move.

I did notice a pink and white dot on the top, not sure if it matter how its installed. Im pulling it off again eventually, doesn't take long at all. Ill check it out let you know what I find. Btw the top two retaining nuts are 65lbs torque each.

[11SynergyGr&Bl]

Originally Posted by Cam 427

Just found an interesting thread worth looking at: http://www.camaro5.com/forums/showth...=1#post3251331

Sweet Thx cam! Ill.give.this a.shot too.

[Camarowguy]

I'll agree the gap is bad design. I think chevy could have come up with something better than this. I'm going to look into some different top strut mounts and see if I can't come up with something better. Just remember, do not flip the top plate upside down. Open you hood and turn the wheels while watching this plate and you'll see why.

[Cam 427]

Originally Posted by Camarowguy

I'll agree the gap is bad design. I think chevy could have come up with something better than this. I'm going to look into some different top strut mounts and see if I can't come up with something better. Just remember, do not flip the top plate upside down. Open you hood and turn the wheels while watching this plate and you'll see why.

Thought of flipping the retainer upside down too, but then realized the
strut has to pivot some when the wheels are turned. So, a tight fit against the strut tower isn't feasable. But something to fill the gap between the tower and retainer isn't a bad idea as long as it isn't too tight.