Coilover suspension question

[Chiznarles]

I installed my B&G S3 full coilover suspension (similar to Tien i guess), and now I have a lot of noise coming from the suspension.

First, there is a clicking noise coming from both front strut setups everytime i go over a little bump, or a big bump for that matter.. Its like a constant (glug glug glug) sound on those bad westwood streets.

Secondly I have a squeaking sound coming from the right rear shock setup whenever my car ocillates. Now the question is what did I do wrong? Is it my installation?

I tried taking apart the front struts but now its like stuck because the top bolt is recessed so its hard to reach and if i try to unscrew it, the whole strut just rotates. I can't hold the strut from rotating w/ an allen wrench b/c it blocks the socket wrench from unscrewing it. Help!

[scapamouche]

I can't say if it's really a problem, but I've had a bit of a soft clunk in my front suspension since I got my Tein kit installed. Doesn't seem to affect performance, and it's been that way for about 10 months, now.

[Chiznarles]

see i have that clunking sound too.. but its mostly on the right front side.. so i know its not the way its supposed to be or else i'd hear it on both sides equally loud. Anyone know anything?

[erok]

When the Sportivo suspension was going in my car, we held off tightening a few things untill the car's weight was on the suspension to make sure everything was seated properly. And we retourqued everything to the factory specs too before driving off. I think this was helpful in getting everything set right.

If the strut bolt is resessed to where you can't easily reach it, I'd say the strut is not seated high enough. Is the spring seated in the perch properly? If not it could look like the strut is bolted tightly but it would still rattle over bumps. Is the strut loose because you were trying to take it apart or was it like that when you opened the hood? As far as the rear goes, I'm not sure what could be causing it, but obviously something is binding. Maybe you can track down the squeak by having a friend gently push the car up and down while you look under it a listen for the squeak.

Did you have a factory manual to go by? Strict adherance to the proper torque settings is critical in the suspension. Worse case is you could take it to a dealer for a check. I would do something before anything gets broken. I get no clunks or rattles from my suspension, so it should be the same for you.

Good Luck

[Chiznarles]

erok, thanks for the information.

I checked on the TSB Service manual things that are on this site, and looked at the diagram. I have concluded that the clunking noise is coming from "Suspension support" hitting the "spring seat" whenever I go over bumps.

How do I fix this? There isn't supposed to be any play between these parts right? It can move about 1/2 an inch when i go over bumps.

[erok]

I'm not sure what the "suspension support" you mention is.

To see if the spring is seated right, You'll have to take the strut out. Compress the spring with a spring compressor, loosen the nut at the top of the strut and turn the spring until it sits flush with both the top and bottom spring seat. If it's anything like the sportivo strut, there's an indentation in the spring seats that the spring ends fit into as well as a rubber gasket type thing to keep the spring from rattling. If there's a gap between the spring and the seat then something's not right. And this would explain why the top bolt of the strut is hard to get at in the car. If there's a rubber gasket, then it should be showing evenly all around the spring. If it is bunched up or sticks out anywhere, then the spring is not seated right. If this is done correctly, you should have no problem reaching the top bolt after you put the strut back in.

If this doesn't work, I'd go to dealer or someone who is more familiar with the celica suspension. I'm sure it would be relatively easy for them to adjust your set-up.

[Chiznarles]

Erok, I took it apart one last time w/ the TSB service print out right next to me. I figured out what the problem was. I missing the piece called the "Dust Seal" that sits in between the Upper spring seat and the suspension support (the part that has the 3 threads so the housing connects to the car under the hood.) The dust seal looks like a fat washer.

The problem was, that there was too much space in between the Upper spring seat and the suspension support, so even if i screwed down the top bolt all the way until there was no thread there was still some play. I now have to go home and find that piece, and i'm hoping its still on the stock shocks.

Thanks for your help man. I'll let u know how it goes.

[Chiznarles]

Okay I figured out a solution for my clunking. I looked at the stock piece called the "dust seal" and its basically a small foam in the shape of a washer. I tried it and it was too thin, there was still some play. So I took the stock upper spring perch and placed it in between the supplied upper spring perch and the suspension support. Everything is tight and there is no more clunking noise at all. I'm so happy!