Noise after installing new lowering springs/struts Options

[doctavic]

Hi guys,
Last month, I installed new TRD lowering springs and KYB struts all around. After I installed them, I started getting these awful noises from the rear. After searching 6gc, I installed new Energy Suspension polyurethane sway bar bushings and KYB strut mounts. Noise is still there, like the spring is loose (which they are when I jack up the car). The end links seem tight. I even took it to a mechanic, and they said nothing was loose or installed wrong. So, could my end links be bad, even though they are tight? Is it just something that might go away after the springs settle in (how long will it take for them to settle in)? Any suggestions welcomed.

[Box]

Did you check/adjust the toe, camber, and caster after installing? Maybe something is out of alignment.

[malecrod]

I have had this same issue since trd spring install 6 years ago. I have changed everything i can think of. Removed and reinstalled the strut assembly several times but eventually got tired of paying for alignment each time. Unfortunatley, I have decided to just ignore it. Unless someone else has a solution, I think this might be some flaw with the trd spring design. I will probable go with the Eibach springs next time.
Seriously, I'm hoping there is some kind of fix for this because I really like the feel and drop of the trd springs.

[doctavic]

Box - I had an alignment done, everything is probably okay on that end.

Malecrod - I hope someone has a solution! I also really love the feel and drop of the TRDs. I'm glad someone else is at least having the same problem, I thought I was going crazy.

[Special_Edy]

Describe the noise, is it speed related, bump related, what does the noise sound like, when does it do it? We need details.

[doctavic]

its not speed but bump related, i can hear it over a bump at 10mph or 75mph. it sounds like the spring moving. like metal clanking. it does it over any bump and comes from both rear sides. i'll see if I can make a video on my way to the office tmw.

[Galcobar]

My immediate thought is the springs are misaligned or uncushioned.

The rear struts each require a rubber spring seat insulator, which is a dealer-only part as far as I know. They do not come with the replacement struts. The front struts require require two each, top and bottom, but since the fronts are rebuildable you're more likely to have retained the insulators.

Spring alignment is also key. The insulators fit one way, and one way only, into the spring seat, and the coil of the spring must then fit properly into that. If this is not done, the spring can twist and rattle as it's compressed and released.

[diegohiga]

i had the same problem and the problem was the endlinks somehow they got lose and that was making the noise, but try this.
wrap the bottom part of the spring with a rubber.

[doctavic]

I used the rubber spring seat insulator from the old strut. I took it apart originally because I used the same strut mount at first, but after the noises... that was the first thing I had changed. With the strut assembly out of the car, the rear springs were very loose and I thought maybe I did it wrong or the springs were misaligned, so I took it to a shop and had them install the strut mounts and check the entire assembly. They didn't see anything wrong. They checked the endlinks and they were still tight. I feel like I should maybe change them anyway.

Deigohiga - Do you sell rubber wrapping for coil springs?

This post has been edited by doctavic: Jan 5, 2013 - 12:31 PM

[xrav22]

I used the rubber spring seat insulator from the old strut. I took it apart originally because I used the same strut mount at first, but after the noises... that was the first thing I had changed. With the strut assembly out of the car, the rear springs were very loose and I thought maybe I did it wrong or the springs were misaligned, so I took it to a shop and had them install the strut mounts and check the entire assembly. They didn't see anything wrong. They checked the endlinks and they were still tight. I feel like I should maybe change them anyway.

Deigohiga - Do you sell rubber wrapping for coil springs?

the strut should not be loose off the car. when I lowered my front struts they were still tight even with the smaller spring.

1 your springs may not be for a celica(too short)
2 your struts may be wrong
3 do you still have rubbers to go on top and bottom of spring
4 sound is coming from the spring expanding after a bump and rattling until the weight settles on it.

[diegohiga]

i dont sell them but i found them in homedepot. they sell different hose sizes. you just need to remove the spring and slide it in. that might fix your problem.

[doctavic]

I used the rubber spring seat insulator from the old strut. I took it apart originally because I used the same strut mount at first, but after the noises... that was the first thing I had changed. With the strut assembly out of the car, the rear springs were very loose and I thought maybe I did it wrong or the springs were misaligned, so I took it to a shop and had them install the strut mounts and check the entire assembly. They didn't see anything wrong. They checked the endlinks and they were still tight. I feel like I should maybe change them anyway.

Deigohiga - Do you sell rubber wrapping for coil springs?

the strut should not be loose off the car. when I lowered my front struts they were still tight even with the smaller spring.

1 your springs may not be for a celica(too short)
2 your struts may be wrong
3 do you still have rubbers to go on top and bottom of spring
4 sound is coming from the spring expanding after a bump and rattling until the weight settles on it.

The fronts fit snugly. The rear springs aren't compressed with the strut of the car. I believe this is normal for lowering springs. The trds were bought from someone on 6gc. They are for the celica.

[Syaoran]

There's a chance the struts may not be the ones for the car, yet they still fit.

I had that happen with a set I bought from eBay. The rear struts fit with a little persuasion from Mr. Prybar but they fit. However they weren't exactly the ones for the car. The car had excessive (over 2 degrees) camber. I also noticed an annoying clunk.

Bump-related clunks most of the time come from worn endlinks however. I would try that first.

[doctavic]

There's a chance the struts may not be the ones for the car, yet they still fit.

I had that happen with a set I bought from eBay. The rear struts fit with a little persuasion from Mr. Prybar but they fit. However they weren't exactly the ones for the car. The car had excessive (over 2 degrees) camber. I also noticed an annoying clunk.

Bump-related clunks most of the time come from worn endlinks however. I would try that first.

the part numbers did match the ones on the KYB website and 6gc. I ordered Moog endlinks. lets try that first.