rear coilover knocks

[Flamereka]

Ok I have this prob, I bought a used set of coilovers very cheap with pillowmounts all around. The coilovers are used, there is some surface rust where you mount to the car, and a little on the springs where chipped coating. I personally don't care about looks. They seem to be doing there job and the pillowmounts are in excellent condition. But I here this knock sound when I hit a decent sized pothole or a bump in the road. I only have the rears on right now. And I think it is only one that is doing it. This is what I think is happening. They are cusco and they have the helper springs above the main sping. In between the main spring and the helper sping is a aluminum plate which seperates them. I am thinking it is sliding or possibly the helper spring is jumping. I was thinking about making a new divider plate but making it so it is slightly larger and cups both sets of the springs. I could even put in screws to hold the sitting edge of the spring firmly against the diverer plate. I have a lathe and can get aluminum stock easily. Whats your opinion or diagnosis? Thanks in advance

Another thought If I was to make some e-brake turn knobs, would anyone here be interested in one? I'm guessing they would be about $13 shipped, but only in polished aluminum.

[Flamereka]

forgot to say that they seem to ride fine also.

[91nis240]

yeh i have the same problem form my right rear, i think its som kind of blow bushing or something else b/c my coilover is def not blown. Can be quit annoying at times

[Flamereka]

do you have pillowball mounts in the rear? I never heard the sound before I put the coilovers on. Maybe something in the pillowmounts is not as tight as it could be? I checked them out before I put them in and tightened everything up. Seems to happen more when I just start using the car less noticeable later on. Other then that the coilovers seem to be worth what I paid. I have no body sway around corners, they are alot more bumpy, and alot more bouncy. I like it though. I bet once the front go on it will be crazy harsh ride. I love it. heh

[SCOOTER240]

it is possible that the coilovers may be starting to collapse-allowing excessive movement on full and sudden extention-another possibility that i see alot is a strut begining to fail internally-might be a good starting point-good luck!!

[Flamereka]

i'm going to take that as they need to be rebuilt correct? The struts are not bottoming out but the springs seem to be gettign some slack in them. I have a feeling that the knock sound is because the helper springs. The knock only happens on the rebound when the strut is supposed to be pushing back up. I tested this out in a parking lot doing lots of cornering and pot hole tests driving down my gravel 1/4 mile driveway.

Just curious as to wether or not this may help. The helper springs are on the top and meet the pillow mounts. I have heard time and again that it dosen't matter wether they are on the top or bottom. It seems that while on the top they would provide more comfort to the driver since they are more easily compressed and released then the main spring. From my point of view the helper springs seem to be a type of bushing. why i'm wondering is that if I switch them around the helper springs may not make the knocking sound anymore.

On another thought I don't have my car lowered too much from stock on the coilovers. I'd say maybe 1.5-1.75 lower. From the notches where you put the jacks for changing tires I have about 3.5-4.5 inches of clearance, and about .75 inches of wheel gap on top of the tire on stock 16" rims and tires almost bald. Does this seem too high for coilovers? Maybe a bit lower. This sounds

How low are s14's with coilovers? Can someone tell me the clearances on thiers from the jack notches. This would make a pretty standard way of measuring many s14's. Thanks in advance

[s14modified]

I had an experience like this before. I had a set of coilovers on stock shocks and the shocks went out. I didn't buy new ones right away and the springs were taking some hard hits up to the point when I bought new tokico shocks. There was knocking also, but I always thought it was the shocks bottoming out. Now, even after I put on the new Tokico shocks, I still hear the knocking. I took off the springs and found that the springs, even though they seem to be strong for me not to be able to push it down, was dead. So when I installed it on the car and the car sat on it, it was compressed leaving just a little room for it to play before each of the coils touched the other one.

In other words, the springs had died and when you hit a bump, or pot-hole, the springs would compress totally, resulting in hitting each other.

The guy before you, probably did the same thing I did and that's why he sold you the coil-overs, because he replaced his.

Hope my experience helps you.

[Flamereka]

sounds like you have the cheaper type of coilovers. I have true coilovers which you buy as a complete suspension. cusco comp1's.If I can fix this knocking I will be satisfied with these these as they ride superb between 30-90mph. Low speed is where I get the knocking. Other then that they are fine for what I want.

[Wuss]

This might sound stupid, but did you make sure all the components are bolted in tight? I had the same problem on my 2000 Golf 1.8t in the rear . Turned out it was just to loose.

[Flamereka]

nope not loose anywhere. I have checked all mounting location atleast 5 times. I even tired to tighten them 3 times to make sure they weren't coming loose. it is definatly somethign with the springs.

[s14modified]

Yeah, forgot about that.

How low did you set it?

[Flamereka]

I have about .75 of wheel gap on the top of the tire to the wheel border.

[Flamereka]

I know a company called afco and they sell custom coilovers, and tons of parts. http://www.secureperformanceor...ID=17I'm tempted to buy new springs for the rear since I can get them for $50 each. but I'm not sure if this will cure the knocking, I know the the struts seem to damp well at higher speeds so i'm thinking they are ok. think $100 is worth it?