Temp Fix Solution! Strut-Spring Noise Problem
Ok, so I think i found the problem as to why my aftermarket trd struts/tein springs are making what some people describe clunking or metal rattling noises.
I'm not going to state a plain fact that this is the same exact problem all the rest of you guys (who are getting the noise) are having. I'm just showing you guys my side of the story and hopefully this can build some revelation for others who are trying to fix their own struts.
The "contact" between the strut mount and the strut itself was my problem. How do I know? Well, during my initial installation of the brand new trd struts and tein springs, my oem stock strut mount had looked perfectly fine. Here is what it looks like after three weeks of regular driving with the noise:
This bottom part on the strut mount which makes contact to this part:
was improperly installed. I had not aligned it correctly to the grooves/notch (watever you call it), causing the strut to move around and chewing up the bottom part of my strut mount.
Supposedly, judging by the original conditions of the strut mount, the strut mount is suppose to fit snuggly over the strut like this:
You would know if it fits perfectly by holding the base of the strut and turning the strut mount. While you turn the strut mount, the leg of the strut should also turn. In addition, the strut mount should not feel loose or rattle.
Mine was very loose from the damage.
Now I need to head over to the dealership to pick up a new strut mount and I will redo my installation tomorrow morning to confirm that all this noise has to do with improper installation.
If you have noise I suggest you get it checked up soon or else you might be screwing up your strut mount. Everytime you hear that noise, it means something is doing something against that ...other something and that is very bad. And for those who are getting springs/struts installed make sure that the installer understand the need to have the bottom part of the strut mount to align correctly with the notch in the close up shot of the strut leg provided somewhere above in this thread.
Sorry for a long post. Pray for me. I hope I get this fixed tomorrow.
I'm not going to state a plain fact that this is the same exact problem all the rest of you guys (who are getting the noise) are having. I'm just showing you guys my side of the story and hopefully this can build some revelation for others who are trying to fix their own struts.
The "contact" between the strut mount and the strut itself was my problem. How do I know? Well, during my initial installation of the brand new trd struts and tein springs, my oem stock strut mount had looked perfectly fine. Here is what it looks like after three weeks of regular driving with the noise:
This bottom part on the strut mount which makes contact to this part:
was improperly installed. I had not aligned it correctly to the grooves/notch (watever you call it), causing the strut to move around and chewing up the bottom part of my strut mount.
Supposedly, judging by the original conditions of the strut mount, the strut mount is suppose to fit snuggly over the strut like this:
You would know if it fits perfectly by holding the base of the strut and turning the strut mount. While you turn the strut mount, the leg of the strut should also turn. In addition, the strut mount should not feel loose or rattle.
Mine was very loose from the damage.
Now I need to head over to the dealership to pick up a new strut mount and I will redo my installation tomorrow morning to confirm that all this noise has to do with improper installation.
If you have noise I suggest you get it checked up soon or else you might be screwing up your strut mount. Everytime you hear that noise, it means something is doing something against that ...other something and that is very bad. And for those who are getting springs/struts installed make sure that the installer understand the need to have the bottom part of the strut mount to align correctly with the notch in the close up shot of the strut leg provided somewhere above in this thread.
Sorry for a long post. Pray for me. I hope I get this fixed tomorrow.
Last edited by lightear on Sun Sep 24, 2006 1:20 pm, edited 2 times in total.
- lightear
- SolaraGuy Driver
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