Pfadt clunking? - Page 3 - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

stros · 12-15-2011, 02:18 PM

I had a similar clunking / popping sound after putting my springs and swaybars on. My issue was resolved by maneuvering the front coil springs so they were seated perfectly into the grooves left by the OEM coils.

PfadtRacing · 12-15-2011, 04:41 PM

We are continuing to work with SSSoon to make sure his issues get resolved. It's most likely something during the reinstallation of the upper mount or potentially something involved in the alignment procedure... both of which are very atypical of the normal drop spring experience.

garcmol · 12-15-2011, 04:56 PM

There's a lot of threads showing on that endlink......

SSSoon · 12-16-2011, 08:53 AM

Scratching our heads on this. Anyone see anything wrong on this front strut assembly? It looks good to us.

On one side the top of the spring was not positioned in the same spot on the yellow foam piece of the bearing plate as on the factory. On the other it was.

Does anyone else find it a little strange that the top end of the spring is actually touching the next coil down even when the spring is not under pressure?

Reassembled it and it still pops and binds on both sides.

RIDE-F-X · 12-16-2011, 11:57 AM

Was it put back together and driven once you corrected the coil not sitting in the foam piece on each side? I would find a back alley somewhere with scattered potholes and see if it's just one side making the noise. If so, then you can start swaping parts from side to side to narrow it down if you don't have any other leads right now.

SSSoon · 12-16-2011, 01:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RIDE-F-X

Was it put back together and driven once you corrected the coil not sitting in the foam piece on each side? I would find a back alley somewhere with scattered potholes and see if it's just one side making the noise. If so, then you can start swaping parts from side to side to narrow it down if you don't have any other leads right now.

Good suggestion! Unfortunately, depressing news: We checked for that in a different way, and it's both. I turned the wheel while he felt the spring at either corner and he could feel it popping differently on both sides.

RIDE-F-X · 12-19-2011, 11:50 AM

If you're still looking for suggestions, I would probably buy one of those upper bearing assemblies ($32 is retail from GM) and see if one side quiets down. If he's feeling it from the spring, that bearing doesn't sound like it is doing it's job right. The entire strut upper mount isn't spinning inside the unibody right? The bearing should be the only thing moving while turning.

SSSoon · 12-19-2011, 04:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RIDE-F-X

If you're still looking for suggestions, I would probably buy one of those upper bearing assemblies ($32 is retail from GM) and see if one side quiets down. If he's feeling it from the spring, that bearing doesn't sound like it is doing it's job right. The entire strut upper mount isn't spinning inside the unibody right? The bearing should be the only thing moving while turning.

Thanks man. Pfadt looked at all the install pix and can't figure out what the problem is. They suggest putting the stock springs back in to see if the noise goes away. That's possible but sure doesn't help me out if the noise DOES go away... doesn't help find the solution. I guess we assume something wrong with the Pfadt springs if swapping the stock springs back in works?

Going to take your advice and pick up a set of stock upper bearing assemblies like you suggest. I wonder if the old OEM spring compressed the neoprene isolator in a way that made the Pfadt spring slip rather than catch. Have ordered a pair - should show up by end of week and then we'll try it out after Christmas (both ways - swap bearing assembly and if no benefit, swap springs). Either way we'll probably have a solution next week.

Pete

JusticePete · 12-19-2011, 04:31 PM

Pete,

It is more work, but you should only change one variable at a time. I suggest you try the OE coils and change nothing else.

PfadtRacing · 12-19-2011, 04:55 PM

Keep us in the loop with what's going on with the car Pete. If swapping out the upper mount doesn't work the last troubleshooting step would be to swap back to the stock spring package.

Like mentioned in our correspondence so far, there isn't much else it really can be at that point. Our bet is on the upper mounts, or something in the steering system which was disassembled to get the front bar off.

RIDE-F-X · 12-20-2011, 11:31 AM

Here's another thing to do, open the hood with the camaro running. Reach in the and turn the wheel back and forth to see if the upper washer is spinning while you turn. Is there a moderate gap between the bottom side of the top washer and the top of the unibody still?

SSSoon · 12-24-2011, 01:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RIDE-F-X

Here's another thing to do, open the hood with the camaro running. Reach in the and turn the wheel back and forth to see if the upper washer is spinning while you turn. Is there a moderate gap between the bottom side of the top washer and the top of the unibody still?

Back in town. Tried what you suggest - thanks for helping on this.

Upper washer is not rotating when we turn the wheel. It wiggles around a bit as the strut assembly turns, but it does not rotate. The large rubber washer on top is about 3/8" up from the sheet metal. I think that's how it should be, right?

Hoping the new isolators show up from the dealer early next week and then we can try swapping them out to see if that does it. If not, we'll try going back to OEM springs.

RIDE-F-X · 12-27-2011, 11:43 AM

Hmmm... you were able to check both sides right? Did it still make the noise while you were watching the top part of the struts? The little bit of translational movement and the gap is normal. The coil spring should be spinning when the body of the shock turns, if it's not maybe that's what is making the noise. The shock shaft shouldn't be spinning while turning either... let us know how you make out...

SSTG · 12-28-2011, 10:19 PM

I have the same noise after installing my Pfadt springs. I talked to Jordan today about purchasing new sway bars and end links to try and remedy the noise. But I need to isolate the sways first to make sure that is the problem.
There are a TON of complaints with popping noises after lowering springs are installed. Not just with Pfadt but all manufactures.
Does anyone have a good pic of what the stock endlinks should look like when installed properly?

12-15-2011, 02:18 PM	#29
stros Drives: 2010 Camaro 2SS/RS Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: San Jose California Posts: 233	I had a similar clunking / popping sound after putting my springs and swaybars on. My issue was resolved by maneuvering the front coil springs so they were seated perfectly into the grooves left by the OEM coils. __________________ 2010 Silver SS/RS L99. Pedders Radius Rod & Subframe Inserts, Pedders Sway bars, Pedders Lowering Coils, Pedders Rear Alignment Kit. Solo Mach XL w/J Pipes Catback exhaust

12-15-2011, 04:56 PM	#31
garcmol Drives: 10 1LT SIM; 91 B4C sleeper Z Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Ft. Mitchell, Alabama Posts: 7,199	There's a lot of threads showing on that endlink...... __________________ Pedders Pace Car Package, Injen CAI, Flowmaster AT, AAC Lighting, ZL1 fascia/skirts, RKSport Ram Air hood, vented fenders, painted stripes (Gary's Customz), Honor and Valor badged (Thank you, John)

12-16-2011, 08:53 AM	#32
SSSoon Drives: RY 2011 2SS A6 Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Virginia Posts: 997	Scratching our heads on this. Anyone see anything wrong on this front strut assembly? It looks good to us. On one side the top of the spring was not positioned in the same spot on the yellow foam piece of the bearing plate as on the factory. On the other it was. Does anyone else find it a little strange that the top end of the spring is actually touching the next coil down even when the spring is not under pressure? Reassembled it and it still pops and binds on both sides. Attached Images __________________ Dry sump LS7, cage, JPSS suspension, Wilwood brakes, fire suppression, ARH 3" headers/exhaust, Z/28 DSSV coilovers, Kirkey seats, TeamTech 6-point harnesses, 19" Forgeline GA3R, 325/30R19 Re11 tires, oil cooler, monster JPSS splitter/wickerbill, CAI, brake ducts. Last edited by SSSoon; 12-16-2011 at 09:15 AM.

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12-15-2011, 04:41 PM	#30
PfadtRacing Drives: 2010 Camaro, 2006 Z06 Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: SLC, UT Posts: 3,370	We are continuing to work with SSSoon to make sure his issues get resolved. It's most likely something during the reinstallation of the upper mount or potentially something involved in the alignment procedure... both of which are very atypical of the normal drop spring experience.

12-16-2011, 11:57 AM	#33
RIDE-F-X Drives: 2011 2SS/RS Camaro Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: New York Posts: 41	Was it put back together and driven once you corrected the coil not sitting in the foam piece on each side? I would find a back alley somewhere with scattered potholes and see if it's just one side making the noise. If so, then you can start swaping parts from side to side to narrow it down if you don't have any other leads right now.

12-19-2011, 11:50 AM	#35
RIDE-F-X Drives: 2011 2SS/RS Camaro Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: New York Posts: 41	If you're still looking for suggestions, I would probably buy one of those upper bearing assemblies ($32 is retail from GM) and see if one side quiets down. If he's feeling it from the spring, that bearing doesn't sound like it is doing it's job right. The entire strut upper mount isn't spinning inside the unibody right? The bearing should be the only thing moving while turning.

12-19-2011, 04:31 PM	#37
JusticePete Drives: Camaro Justice Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Virginia Posts: 20,174	Pete, It is more work, but you should only change one variable at a time. I suggest you try the OE coils and change nothing else.

12-19-2011, 04:55 PM	#38
PfadtRacing Drives: 2010 Camaro, 2006 Z06 Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: SLC, UT Posts: 3,370	Keep us in the loop with what's going on with the car Pete. If swapping out the upper mount doesn't work the last troubleshooting step would be to swap back to the stock spring package. Like mentioned in our correspondence so far, there isn't much else it really can be at that point. Our bet is on the upper mounts, or something in the steering system which was disassembled to get the front bar off.

12-20-2011, 11:31 AM	#39
RIDE-F-X Drives: 2011 2SS/RS Camaro Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: New York Posts: 41	Here's another thing to do, open the hood with the camaro running. Reach in the and turn the wheel back and forth to see if the upper washer is spinning while you turn. Is there a moderate gap between the bottom side of the top washer and the top of the unibody still?

12-27-2011, 11:43 AM	#41
RIDE-F-X Drives: 2011 2SS/RS Camaro Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: New York Posts: 41	Hmmm... you were able to check both sides right? Did it still make the noise while you were watching the top part of the struts? The little bit of translational movement and the gap is normal. The coil spring should be spinning when the body of the shock turns, if it's not maybe that's what is making the noise. The shock shaft shouldn't be spinning while turning either... let us know how you make out...

12-28-2011, 10:19 PM	#42
SSTG Drives: 2014 Z51 Corvette Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Ofallon, Mo. Posts: 5,822	I have the same noise after installing my Pfadt springs. I talked to Jordan today about purchasing new sway bars and end links to try and remedy the noise. But I need to isolate the sways first to make sure that is the problem. There are a TON of complaints with popping noises after lowering springs are installed. Not just with Pfadt but all manufactures. Does anyone have a good pic of what the stock endlinks should look like when installed properly?