Weird sound after Tein S-Tech springs instalation

Martin · Post by **Martin** » Fri Jun 18, 2004 1:04 am

I finally managed to get my springs installed last night, the look is really agressive but I'm not too happy with the final sound I am getting from the suspension. every so on I hear a funny sound comming out from the front end, it sounds like a rubbery to wobbly noise and than when the impact is harsher it feels like the strut is bottoming out.I did install the bump stops and had then cut etc, but definitelly there is something wrong or it sounds wrong to me...Did anyone had similar experiance ???? Please advise.by cutting of the rear bump stop the palstic tube with the bum stop is not sitting up by the large washer type bracket, what should I do with that ?? glue it maybe ????Thanks for the info who ever will respond.I'll post some pic soon

MadBill · Post by **MadBill** » Fri Jun 18, 2004 8:01 am

Check for the spring being out of position and scraping on its pocket/tower. I've installed 3 sets of Tein S springs, and on the third set, we got this strange "gronk" sort of noise on bumps, coming from the left front. Turned out the spring had moved out of its seat when I accidently rotated the strut shaft when tightening the top nut with a box wrench (an impact wrench would have been OK). This turned the top spring seat and spring, "unscrewing" it from the bottom seat and allowing it to rub on the spring tower. We had to pull the strut, compress the spring, reposition it, and this time torque the top nut BEFORE installing the assembly, so we could be sure the spring stayed in position.

Martin · Post by **Martin** » Sun Jun 20, 2004 9:12 pm

Mad bill thanks for the tip, although I did torque down the nut before the installation, but this could be possible that the spring got of the positon.BTW: did you have to do the alignment after the install ????The first time I installed the springs and drove the car it didn't feel like it needed it one, but I forgot to install the bump stop on one of the front shocks and I found that out next day when I found the bump stop laying in the corner of my garage, so I had to pull down the strut and reinstall it, next the car pools to the left especially on the Hwy. ??? I hope this is not going to chew up my tires before I manage to take it to the shop ???Cheers

MadBill · Post by **MadBill** » Mon Jun 21, 2004 12:05 am

I've put 30,000 km on my Vibe since changing springs, with no alignment and no problems. That said, realignment is cheap insurance, and with a pulling condition I would definitely have it checked. Also, more than one member has found the factory alignment to be off, e.g. needing to shim the rears into correct toe.

Celtic_Curse · Post by **Celtic_Curse** » Tue Jun 29, 2004 6:10 am

YOu've had your springs on for 30,000km have you noticed your shocks starting to go? Friends of mine tell me that your shocks wear out faster when you lower the car? Is this true and have you noticed anything? Thanks for the help.

MadBill · Post by **MadBill** » Tue Jun 29, 2004 6:25 am

No, no probs at all. I think the only time you'd get strut problems is if you dropped it say 3" or more and started bottoming out the struts hard on bumps.BTW, nice car on your Avatar, Celtic !

Celtic_Curse · Post by **Celtic_Curse** » Tue Jun 29, 2004 1:05 pm

Thanks MadBill We frosty's are a rare color.

Martin · Post by **Martin** » Sun Mar 13, 2005 9:40 am

I just posted something regarding this topic but I forgot I had started this a while ago, thankscheck my new post "PROBLEMS"

Martin · Post by **Martin** » Fri Apr 08, 2005 1:01 am

Ok I think I lost this Problems thread......Anyhow I'm going back up to stock springs, just picked up a set of new struts from the dealer, th eride quality got so bad it's not even funny I felt like my car is falling apart. Yes I must of damaged the struts this winter they had lots of construction arround where I am and I sure all this contributed to my shock deterioration ??????? I now have about 100k on the car and it's pricy to buy the OEM equipment, since there is no available aftermarket strut for lowered versions.All this stuff I heard about KYB making it for that purpose but it's all BS the shock i a standard OEM the travel point where it actually works well is when sitting on your stock springs if tou lower it you do not longer operate this unit at its designet piston location and that is simply a matter of time when you will be changing the struts..... I hate the look of the stock vibe that's for sure but on the other hand I hate loosing the ride quality at the same time... perhaps I have done soething wrong installing them and that's why I have this problem, I wouldn't mind taking a spin in someone eleses lowered vibe and do a comparison, but know I made my mid going stock and maybe install bigger wheels in stead to hide the gaps, any input is appreciated, thanks and sorry for such a long post

Martin · Post by **Martin** » Mon Apr 11, 2005 12:30 am

Well once you loose the gas in thr strut due to bottoming it out, forget about any ride quality, it's like riding a wheelbarel....anyhow I installed GT LS2 truts a bit stiffer than stock and stock springs, what a improvement in ride quality... wow !!!everything feels so much tighter no more harsh impacts etc...Yah the nice look is gone but at least I am getting a driving feel of something better than a rattle trap....sorry guys but one of these days once they will start making a proper setup that can be swaped I'll go for it, right now all this tuning is a micky mouse set up.... deterioration waiting to happen.I just wonder why they made this car stand so high of the ground to begin with, like a technical description and point of view.cheers

Weird sound after Tein S-Tech springs instalation

Weird sound after Tein S-Tech springs instalation

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