TRD Spring Coils Rubbing Against Each Other???

[theprodigy79]

Question for anyone willing to help... I had my car in yesterday at a local shop for allignment and also to check out a chirp comming from my passenger front whenever I hit a pit or a bump... The tech pointed out a few possibilities for the noise, and also noticed that the coils on my TRD springs are actually touching each other in a couple places... Is this normal??? I'd appreciate it if anyone with a TRD dropped Gen 2 could take a glance at their springs and let me know if any of the coils are up against each other, or how close they are to each other... I'm about to take my car in for my 20K mile service this week: I'm going to have Toyota take a look around for the noise as well, but I'd like to know if I should be a bit freaked about the springs (if it is something wrong I'd like to nail them with it while I have a loaner)...

Thanks much,

-James

[PhreakdOut]

This issue has been frustrating for many of us. (Hence the 10 million threads on it.)
Here's one I posted regarding the same issue. It eventually went away but before driving me insane. (The popping was terrible at low speed turns. Like a parking lot. It was very noticeable to people outside and inside the car. )

http://www.solaraguy.org/viewtopic.php?t=11307

[theprodigy79]

I checked out the other threads and found nothing regarding the TRD springs actually touching each other while sitting in place... The chirp isn't normal (it's not a popping or anything, it's more of a squeek when hitting very small bumps or going over speed bumps... It actually sounds more like something is loose.. Anyhow, this thread was more aimed at the spring coils laying against each other... Anyone have any info?? Thanks!

-James

[R-TicFrost]

I had the same issue when I first got the springs installed. The dealer could not find a resolution to the noise, so they just replaced the whole front end suspension (new struts and all). I believe it was over $1500.00 in parts! Once replaced, it STILL made the noise. To make a long story short, after troubleshooting with TRD, the springs have a plastic sleeve on the actual coil. If the sleeve is not positioned correctly, you get a loud pop or clanking noise where the coils compress (touch). This would constantly occur, if I made any sharp turns or hit big bumps. If I were you, I would jack your car up, and look to see if this sleeve has worn off, or if it's not positioned correctly. I haven't had any problems since. This might save you a lot of time and effort.

[theprodigy79]

Tight, I'll have that checked out. Were your coils actually touching each other when your car was parked though??

[Turbosolara]

i agree with above...