Pfadt clunking?

[RedRocketSS]

Originally Posted by PfadtRacing

Where was the sound coming from? I assure you it is not something inherent with the springs. If it were, there wouldn't be hundreds of people on the forum with successful noise-free installs. There is nothing inherently noisy about a spring as I mentioned before because it is a piece of wound steel. Who did you take your car to? Did you read the GM release on the "loose lumber" noise?Does this describe the noise you are hearing?

Took it to grunion customs the first 3 times then loud pedal re did everything and said it was all done correctly. I guess i should re phrase what i said, i dont think its the actual spring itself making the noise, its something making the noise as a result of the install of the spring...its coming from the front end only.

[RIDE-F-X]

What happens when you try and tighten down the nut on the stop of the strut while it is installed? Does it just start to spin the shaft once it's tight or does it get really tight and not spin the shaft unless you use excessive force?

[Camarowguy]

Question: and please excuse my not knowing this as I haven't taken the suspension apart on my car....does the spring have a bearing plate at the top like most other cars?

[SSSoon]

Originally Posted by RIDE-F-X

What happens when you try and tighten down the nut on the stop of the strut while it is installed? Does it just start to spin the shaft once it's tight or does it get really tight and not spin the shaft unless you use excessive force?

It's pretty damn tight. I just went out and leaned on it with a 2 foot breaker bar and it did not budge when I was heaving away on it.

For anyone who's interested, here's a video of the top of the strut moving around inside of the body when we rotate the steering wheel from full left to full right, with the upper strut retainer removed so you can see in there. Looks like the top of the strut body is solid in there.

http://youtu.be/W4Y-3A8lQ5w

(can't hear the popping on this video but believe me it is still there)

[SSSoon]

Originally Posted by Camarowguy

Question: and please excuse my not knowing this as I haven't taken the suspension apart on my car....does the spring have a bearing plate at the top like most other cars?

Yep:

[shines]

I had a brand new set of Pfadt coil overs that came with variable rate coil springs. The lower rated coils collapsed completely under the full weight of the car. They bound and made popping noises when the when car was moving AND when sitting still turning the steering wheel. Ultimately the solution was a new set of single rate coil springs to replace the ones that came with the coil overs.

An easy way to tell if it's your springs is to spray the area(s) that are fully compressed with a bit of penetrating oil. If the binding and popping stops or is substantially reduced you'll know that's the problem. Unfortunately the oil doesn't last long and is not a permanent solution.

[PfadtRacing]

Originally Posted by shines

I had a brand new set of Pfadt coil overs that came with variable rate coil springs. The lower rated coils collapsed completely under the full weight of the car. They bound and made popping noises when the when car was moving AND when sitting still turning the steering wheel. Ultimately the solution was a new set of single rate coil springs to replace the ones that came with the coil overs.

An easy way to tell if it's your springs is to spray the area(s) that are fully compressed with a bit of penetrating oil. If the binding and popping stops or is substantially reduced you'll know that's the problem. Unfortunately the oil doesn't last long and is not a permanent solution.

Shines, sorry your situation is completely different and isn't even incorporating the same parts that SSSoon has. Your noises were due to a isolated set of race springs that were not manufactured to Pfadt spec. They did not bind. The "free length" coils are supposed to collapse under the weight of the car. That is how they work, along with lowering springs. That is not making SSSoon's noise.

[shines]

Originally Posted by PfadtRacing

Shines, sorry your situation is completely different and isn't even incorporating the same parts that SSSoon has. Your noises were due to a isolated set of race springs that were not manufactured to Pfadt spec. They did not bind. The "free length" coils are supposed to collapse under the weight of the car. That is how they work, along with lowering springs. That is not making SSSoon's noise.

I know they're different parts, but his problem seems to be manifesting itself the same way mine did.

By the way, did you ever get those springs made to correct specs? The springs you sent me are ok, but they are short and I have to remember to align them every time I set my car down from the lift. If I forget, eventually they pop into place, but it scares the hell out of me . I have low mount twin turbo's, so I'm always lifting the car to tweak and check things.

[PfadtRacing]

Originally Posted by shines

I know they're different parts, but his problem seems to be manifesting itself the same way mine did.

By the way, did you ever get those springs made to correct specs? The springs you sent me are ok, but they are short and I have to remember to align them every time I set my car down from the lift. If I forget, eventually they pop into place, but it scares the hell out of me . I have low mount twin turbo's, so I'm always lifting the car to tweak and check things.

The race coilover spring batch that didn't have the free length spec was 30 total springs and was supplied over a year ago. They arnt short, they are just a linear rate spring in an application which . If you run a low ride height, when you lift the car up the upper spring perch is going to separate from the top of the spring. This will never happen under any driving condition and is completely normal.

[Camarowguy]

Originally Posted by PfadtRacing

The race coilover spring batch that didn't have the free length spec was 30 total springs and was supplied over a year ago. They arnt short, they are just a linear rate spring in an application which . If you run a low ride height, when you lift the car up the upper spring perch is going to separate from the top of the spring. This will never happen under any driving condition and is completely normal.

I'm wondering if that has anything to do with the noises we experience. From what I recall the noise in mine didn't start until I put mine on the lift for the first oil change.

[PQ]

Originally Posted by SSSoon

It's pretty damn tight. I just went out and leaned on it with a 2 foot breaker bar and it did not budge when I was heaving away on it.

For anyone who's interested, here's a video of the top of the strut moving around inside of the body when we rotate the steering wheel from full left to full right, with the upper strut retainer removed so you can see in there. Looks like the top of the strut body is solid in there.

http://youtu.be/W4Y-3A8lQ5w

(can't hear the popping on this video but believe me it is still there)

That movement is perfectly normal.

Try to oil the coils? I suppose it's possible they are grinding when collapsed.

[elsololobo02]

I hate to chime in as it seems that there is a lot variables that could cause the noises. I had a Stage 4 Pfadt kit put on my 2011 LS last week minus the engine mouts as their support guys said they don't fit on the LS. I had similar noise but they eminated from the sway bars/endlinks. The next day after the install (from a reputable shop) I had a 4 wheel alignment and endlink adjustment done as per Pfadt's spec sheet. This got rid of the "loose lumber" sound but there is still a noise in the front end that is hard to describe...

It sounds like squeaky bed springs inside of a empty 55 gallon drum. It only happens when I go over speed bumps or semi steep inclines like at some gas stations/convienant stores at very slow speeds. It doesn't occur during normal city/highway driving or by simply turning the wheels back and forth while stationary or while moving. The rear suspension is completely quite and sounds/feels like they are funtioning properly. I have a appointment with the install shop this Tuesday and will post what they come up with. It may not have anything to do with OP's issue but maybe it could help.

[SSSoon]

Originally Posted by PQ

Try to oil the coils? I suppose it's possible they are grinding when collapsed.

When the car is sitting normally, the coils definitely touch and they are supposed to. I thought this could be the problem, or maybe that the rubber isolator wasn't long enough (see pic) and that pieces of coil were touching. The Pfadt tech I was talking to assures me that that isn't the problem. See pic. Sure would explain it if it was true but Pfadt is 100% sure that <1 loop of black rubber protector is enough.

I dunno. Maybe the Pfadt guy on this thread could comment: isn't there a chance the piece of the coil that is not covered by the black rubber is binding and popping? As you can see in the pic, it doesn't even cover a full rotation of the coil...

[PQ]

Originally Posted by SSSoon

When the car is sitting normally, the coils definitely touch and they are supposed to. I thought this could be the problem, or maybe that the rubber isolator wasn't long enough (see pic) and that pieces of coil were touching. The Pfadt tech I was talking to assures me that that isn't the problem. See pic. Sure would explain it if it was true but Pfadt is 100% sure that <1 loop of black rubber protector is enough.

I dunno. Maybe the Pfadt guy on this thread could comment: isn't there a chance the piece of the coil that is not covered by the black rubber is binding and popping? As you can see in the pic, it doesn't even cover a full rotation of the coil...

EASY PEASY test for that.

Jack the car up, stuff rags between the coils and jack it back down and try it then. I found coil slap as a tick in a set of springs before. The rags were the easiest test and the most effective in that case because they did the trick. I had taken the coil wraps off when I installed those ones. lol Put them back on and done. But the rags determined the noise.

At this point it has to be something. And it's time to think anything is possible. I had Pfadt drop springs before I went with Pedders. Never had any weird noises or anything. Odd that you would hear it on both sides but it's really an easy test.

You'll want to make sure you get any area that could be grinding. Or just use rope strips. Just enough to buffer while testing the theory.