Temp Fix Solution! Strut-Spring Noise Problem

[lightear]

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.

[DaTwUnKrAziEpInOy]

Hrrmm.....interesting..

[SleeperSolara]

Good find man.
Good luck on fixin' it.

[indiglosolara]

I know what you are talking about on the notches. My friend and I did the same thing, But we noticed it right away and corrected it and it still had the rattle. Something else needs to be corrected cuz my friend and I did it like 3 times and the rattle was still there. We initail thought maybe a bushing of some sort but that would be odd place to have one. We also tried washers from Home Depot and it didn't do the work.

I think the part (top part of the TRD strut)is wider then the stock strut mounts. My conclusion was that the stock TRD strut where the notch meets the strut mount needs to be dremeled or grinded down a little bit to fit correctly. My friend and I are trying to figure out the right solution at this time.

I know Milton knows the correction to the TRD strut fix but unfortunately he has not or is not willing to share with others at the time. So we just gotta do trial and error until someone figures it out.

If you manage to fix the problem today please share and I am sure others are looking for a solution to this problem.

Kenny

[---CAMRAZY---]

^^ Yes I do know what the problem is (assuming everyone here is having the same problem...)

People keep asking if I can fix it, and when I respond that I can and will, but that I charge for my time, they never respond again... apparently they would rather live with the noise.

So my offer still stands.

I could tell you guys how to fix it, but what would the point be if you guys cannot do the work yourselves. I am trying to be nice and going out of my way offering to fix it for people, but in the end my time is not free.


lightear -- G/L with the fix, let us know how it turns out.

[DaTwUnKrAziEpInOy]

[quote="indiglosolara"]I know what you are talking about on the notches. My friend and I did the same thing, But we noticed it right away and corrected it and it still had the rattle. Something else needs to be corrected cuz my friend and I did it like 3 times and the rattle was still there. We initail thought maybe a bushing of some sort but that would be odd place to have one. We also tried washers from Home Depot and it didn't do the work.

I think the part (top part of the TRD strut)is wider then the stock strut mounts. My conclusion was that the stock TRD strut where the notch meets the strut mount needs to be dremeled or grinded down a little bit to fit correctly. My friend and I are trying to figure out the right solution at this time.

I know Milton knows the correction to the TRD strut fix but unfortunately he has not or is not willing to share with others at the time. So we just gotta do trial and error until someone figures it out.

If you manage to fix the problem today please share and I am sure others are looking for a solution to this problem.

Kenny[/quote]

You're telling me.....I'm already back @ square one and have no more ideas.

[indiglosolara]

^^ Yes I do know what the problem is (assuming everyone here is having the same problem...)

People keep asking if I can fix it, and when I respond that I can and will, but that I charge for my time, they never respond again... apparently they would rather live with the noise.

So my offer still stands.

I could tell you guys how to fix it, but what would the point be if you guys cannot do the work yourselves. I am trying to be nice and going out of my way offering to fix it for people, but in the end my time is not free.


lightear -- G/L with the fix, let us know how it turns out.

IMO.. Saying you can fix it and giving pointers to others is a diff story. I am not trying to dogg you or anything and I know your time is money. Some are not asking for you to do the work for free but some info would be nice. NOT just "yea i know how to fix it".

For the ppl that can do the work ourselves its not like you offered much information that has been helpful (at least on this topic but your help on others topics that have been helpful we appreciate it). All I keep seeing is I know the problem and resolution but with a cost. Which I have no problem with but I am not going to pay YOU to find out. I will find another way and work with it.

If you have a problem/or disagree with what I have said please feel free to call me. You have my number. But like I said I am not trying to dogg you or anything but I haven't seen any Info that you have posted on how you can help us resolve this.

[lightear]

I think the part (top part of the TRD strut)is wider then the stock strut mounts. My conclusion was that the stock TRD strut where the notch meets the strut mount needs to be dremeled or grinded down a little bit to fit correctly. My friend and I are trying to figure out the right solution at this time.

Kenny

Hrmm. That is interesting, I will need to check up on that. I don't see why Toyota would make a different size and "help" contribute to this chaos. In anycase, if anyone has the diameter sizes please post. If not, I'll post them tomorrow.

I went down to toyota and picked up a new oem stock strut mount for $60 bucks. Pretty good deal if you'd ask me. (Place was Longo, just ask for the 15% discount if you plan on getting one). I checked the diameter size and this is what i got:



I took out my old stock struts and checked the diameter size there and this is what i got:



From these observations it is clear that the strut groove is 5/8 and 1/8 smaller than the groove from the strut mount which is 6/8 (3/4). What puzzles me is this: When I place the new strut mount over my oem stock struts it's loose as well. Thought it was suppose to be a perfect snug fit, but I was wrong.

Newayz...I don't have the tools with me now to get this strut mount installed this afternoon so you all will need to wait until tomorrow afternoon.

I know moderators hate it when original posters are saying wait till tomorrow, but I'm posting this ahead in advance to ask people if they have ne suggestions or ideas, because from the sound of it:

...what I thought could fix the problem ... has already been done.

[Sp33d]

i will post pictures of what i and datwunkrazypinoy did. it worked temporarily, but in the end, it started rattling again after 4XX miles. im still gonna pay milt to fix it for me though.

mark

[---CAMRAZY---]

IMO.. Saying you can fix it and giving pointers to others is a diff story.

I have spoken to Mark numerous times about YOUR "problems" and given him many ideas as far as fixing this. Like I said before, sometimes it is time comsuming to write up suggestions or ideas or ways to help out when the majority of YOU guys do not know how to take off a tire, let alone a strut.

I am not trying to dogg you or anything and I know your time is money.

Trust me guy, I do not take it as that. I know you guys need help, but honestly, I think I just got lucky with An's solara.

Some are not asking for you to do the work for free but some info would be nice. NOT just "yea i know how to fix it".

Well, I CHOOSE not to give info since my work is all done with LOVE.. ha ha!!

That was a joke^

But in reality I gave you guys opinions and options on how the TRD strut noise, (page 1)
AND
I even gave YOU ideas on how to solve it (page 2)
AND
Even a Worst Case Senario Alternative (page 5)

Of this thread:

http://www.solaraguy.org/viewtopic.php?t=27052

I think for YOU to call me out with the "yea I know how to fix it" which I have not written anywhere, is out of line. All I have written on that thread are that I helped An and it worked.

For the ppl that can do the work ourselves its not like you offered much information that has been helpful (at least on this topic but your help on others topics that have been helpful we appreciate it).

Honestly, I think my Pioneering on the Gen2 LED lights has been more than enough at least for this year.

All I keep seeing is I know the problem and resolution but with a cost.

YOU out of all people know "its all about money" and My time is valuable, sorry. Like I wrote already, Mark has been given resolutions and I wrote them in that thread but you are just choosing to read what you want to.

Which I have no problem with but I am not going to pay YOU to find out. I will find another way and work with it.

I know you would not pay ME, but trust me I would not work on YOUR car. Since you would probably have a re-occurring problem and YOU being so Meticulous, haha, would probably be here every weekend.

If you have a problem/or disagree with what I have said please feel free to call me. You have my number. But like I said I am not trying to dogg you or anything but I haven't seen any Info that you have posted on how you can help us resolve this.

And you have my number also, if you had seen that I had not posted anything, Why not call me to ask?? Why put my name out there?? Good luck with YOUR "problem" and I hope everything turns out well.

BTW Kenny, I think you and I know each other better than to consider this a "DOGG".

Take Care and God Bless



Milt

[anttarz]

you can find KYB or Tokico mount online a little cheaper as well

[lightear]

How did you guys sit the spring? If I push the end of the spring all the way to where the stock spring normally sits then the spring sits very awkward. So I had them moved around a lil bit so that they look perfectly aligned like a nice christmas tree.....which....they do look like.

[lightear]

i will post pictures of what i and datwunkrazypinoy did. it worked temporarily, but in the end, it started rattling again after 4XX miles. im still gonna pay milt to fix it for me though.

mark

Post em mark. This is good. Getting more information together will help get this fixed sooner.

[Nyyankees3511]

This is interesting, ive tried tightening the top strut bolt in the engine bay and my whole strut turns so im guessing that its tightened? Is something wrong with that?

[TMMK Toy]

Avoid the KYB mounts. Stick to Toyota or go with coilovers. KYBs are cheaper quality.