popping in front suspension - Zilvia.net Forums | Nissan 240SX (Silvia) and Z (Fairlady) Car Forum

s15driftdreamer · 08-14-2003, 05:03 PM

i have replaced all of my suspension points and my tension rods are now project silvia adjustable with pillow ball ends while my coilovers are now Tein HE's. but their is still a popping noise coming from the front every time i turn the whell from lock to lock.i think it is my rack and pinion but i was wondering if it could be the new tension rods or coilovers shifting in their mounts. has anyone ever heard of this.

thanks
jason

zweebach · 08-14-2003, 06:46 PM

Hmmmm...Interesting to see this. I have Tein HE's and I get a popping noise too.
I've gotten under the car and wiggled every suspension component I can find. I only really hear the noise when I pulling out of the driveway or parking. Of course, when I moving there's probably other noises that drown it out.
The only idea I've come up with is that it's the spring shifting in it's seat somewhat.

Rennen · 08-14-2003, 07:08 PM

I have stock worn suspension and I have a similar pop when backing out of the driveway or other slow speed maneuvers. It doesn't really sound like its coming from suspension, but rather the middle of the car, where the steering rack is. I have been under the car multiple times to check bushings and links and stuff, but have found nothing

-Matt

zweebach · 08-14-2003, 07:55 PM

I guess it could be worn steering rack bushings. I can't say I've heard of those making noises though.

s15driftdreamer · 08-15-2003, 02:27 PM

i think i found out what the problem is. i had a friend look under my car and listen to the rack with a stethescope and he said he heard no noise coming from inside it but what he did see was my rack twisting due to a loose or worn rack mount. i havent looked myself yet but he said it looks like if i tighten it it would stop.so well see what happnes.

jason

kapower · 08-15-2003, 05:09 PM

aahhh... the infamous poping/clunking noise. here is a list of items that I replaced trying to fix the issue. Moog tie rod end, Moog ball joints, whiteline front lower control arm bushings, & TC bushings, tein front upper adjustable strut pillow mounts, kyb agx's, RS*R race springs. I still have the same clunking noise. I have also been wondering if my rack & pinion is to blame. I'am going to replace it with a rack & pinion from a hicas 240 (it has a quicker steering ratio) & some nismo poly-urethane rack & pinion mounts. Please post if you are possitive that your issue is fixed, this clunking noise is driving me crazy.

pr240sx · 08-15-2003, 11:00 PM

pooping sound
first tighten all suspension bolts ALL OF THEM!!
include the steering rack to body bolts
if the pooping persits, check your springs perches (at least on a stock suspension)
Usually the pooping occurs because torsional friction on the springs.
How I solve it, I bought some rubber hose and wrap the top and bottom of the springs. Use some grease or oil to hepl in the wrapping. just wrap the first half turn or som on both sides of the springs

nokeone · 08-16-2003, 12:48 AM

this is probably different but i figured i'd post it here for reference...

i used to get a popping / clunking noise from the front suspension (i have TEIN HE's) when going out of my driveway or over small bumps...

i happened to be with Dousan at the time so i asked him about it..he said he had had the same problem and it drove him crazy until he tightened the nutt which the shock dampener adjustment pin sits inside of in the top of the strut...i wish i had a picture but those with Teins i'm sure know what i am talking about (the nutt in the middle of the pillow ball mounts)...anyway after tightening this nutt the noise was eliminated...

to tighten the nutt you need to hold the coilover assembly still with either the enclosed wrench or your friend's bare hands while you tighten the nutt on top...

anyway like i said your problems sound more involved then this but ya never know..

good luck..

PSI240SX · 08-17-2003, 05:35 PM

I have a huge popping noise under heavy braking... any suggestions? I have tightened everything under there.

kapower · 08-17-2003, 05:48 PM

I imagine you've replaced your TC bushings already, so I wont go there, but for most people that is there clunking noise. Another major player that can cause popping noises is the front upper strut mounts. The stock bearings in them do go bad. sometimes I suspect my brake system, its almost like the calipers are hanging up, but who knows. Most likely its in the rack & pinion, or the Racks bushings. What about sway bar bushings could that be the culprate? I will be going to school in 2 weeks (automechanic technician)so hopefully one of my teachers will be able to figure it out for me. I have taken my car to several shops, talken to people like Don at PDM racing, almost replaced the entire front end, and still have the smae old clunking noise. Maybe it is just the springs/coils binding up and clunking when the pressure releases, I honestly don't know, but I will post up as soon as I find the cuase??????????????

Rennen · 08-17-2003, 06:26 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by kapower
sometimes I suspect my brake system, its almost like the calipers are hanging up, but who knows.

YES, mine also makes the pop when coming to stopsigns, and it is just like you describe. I checked every bushing and bolt down there and came up with nothing. One theory I have is the swaybar endlinks. Instead of running parallel with where it mounts to the sway bar, the bottom part seems to rotate. I turned it parallel and it just went back after driving some

Perhaps this part moves around while driving and makes the pop sound.

-Matt

s15driftdreamer · 08-18-2003, 12:12 PM

yes the popping happens for me under heavy braking also. i do not think that it is the sway bar because i just put ST sway bars in, but it might be different for you. i still believe that my problem is the rack bushings. i looked under my car today to tighten those bolts and when i poked one of the bushings part of it fell off. i am going to nissan today to order new ones. you might want to check what condition your bushings are in also. just a suggestion.

jason

uiuc240 · 08-18-2003, 11:31 PM

dude, you HAVE to post up if this works to fix your clunk. i'm waiting anxiously....

Eric

Rennen · 09-14-2003, 07:02 PM

Caution: Resurrecting old thread

Hey, did replacing your steering rack bushings solve your problem? Please post if they did.

Oh, and you guys with the Tein coilovers. here is a good thread on FA with relevant info:

http://forums.freshalloy.com/ubbthre...b=5&o=&fpart=1

-Matt

andrave · 09-14-2003, 09:09 PM

my friend has a civic and his front struts have a bearing on top of them that lets them turn when you go lock to lock, and when we put his springs in that bearing fell apart so we just ghetto'd it and got as many bearings back in as we could find. weeeelll, eventually taht failed and now his goes "clumpf clumpf clumpf" as the spring turns in its seat or something...
don't think s13's have anything like that though.

Dousan_PG · 09-14-2003, 09:27 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Rennen
Caution: Resurrecting old thread

Hey, did replacing your steering rack bushings solve your problem? Please post if they did.

Oh, and you guys with the Tein coilovers. here is a good thread on FA with relevant info:

http://forums.freshalloy.com/ubbthre...b=5&o=&fpart=1

-Matt

i like how nokeone told him to do that already but i guess he didnt listen.

once again dousan saves the day with his advice..i need to start wearing a cape. no one wears capes these days!

08-14-2003, 05:03 PM	#1
s15driftdreamer Join Date: May 2003 Location: San Diego Age: 35 Posts: 47 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	popping in front suspension i have replaced all of my suspension points and my tension rods are now project silvia adjustable with pillow ball ends while my coilovers are now Tein HE's. but their is still a popping noise coming from the front every time i turn the whell from lock to lock.i think it is my rack and pinion but i was wondering if it could be the new tension rods or coilovers shifting in their mounts. has anyone ever heard of this. thanks jason

08-14-2003, 07:08 PM	#3
Rennen Zilvia Addict Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: WichitAr, KS Age: 38 Posts: 877 Trader Rating: (0) Rides Gallery: Rennen Feedback Score: 0 reviews	I have stock worn suspension and I have a similar pop when backing out of the driveway or other slow speed maneuvers. It doesn't really sound like its coming from suspension, but rather the middle of the car, where the steering rack is. I have been under the car multiple times to check bushings and links and stuff, but have found nothing -Matt __________________ '89 Nissan 240SX fastback: #23 DSP/RallyMod2/Track Slut '95 BMW 540i 6 speed: Ultimate Commuting Machine PFM Racing www.solo2.org www.midwest240sx.com

08-15-2003, 11:00 PM	#7
pr240sx Zilvia Addict Join Date: Jan 2002 Posts: 627 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	the infamous pooping sound first tighten all suspension bolts ALL OF THEM!! include the steering rack to body bolts if the pooping persits, check your springs perches (at least on a stock suspension) Usually the pooping occurs because torsional friction on the springs. How I solve it, I bought some rubber hose and wrap the top and bottom of the springs. Use some grease or oil to hepl in the wrapping. just wrap the first half turn or som on both sides of the springs

08-16-2003, 12:48 AM	#8
nokeone on strike three. Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Santa Cruz, California Age: 42 Posts: 3,282 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	this is probably different but i figured i'd post it here for reference... i used to get a popping / clunking noise from the front suspension (i have TEIN HE's) when going out of my driveway or over small bumps... i happened to be with Dousan at the time so i asked him about it..he said he had had the same problem and it drove him crazy until he tightened the nutt which the shock dampener adjustment pin sits inside of in the top of the strut...i wish i had a picture but those with Teins i'm sure know what i am talking about (the nutt in the middle of the pillow ball mounts)...anyway after tightening this nutt the noise was eliminated... to tighten the nutt you need to hold the coilover assembly still with either the enclosed wrench or your friend's bare hands while you tighten the nutt on top... anyway like i said your problems sound more involved then this but ya never know.. good luck.. __________________ panda; rockin your socks from the Bay to LA to SD, yay! Pink GodziRa

08-17-2003, 05:35 PM	#9
PSI240SX Zilvia Addict Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: The Gunshine State Age: 46 Posts: 843 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	I have a huge popping noise under heavy braking... any suggestions? I have tightened everything under there. __________________ www.enjukuracing.com

08-14-2003, 06:46 PM	#2
zweebach Leaky Injector Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Dallas, TX Posts: 91 Trader Rating: (7) Feedback Score: 7 reviews	Hmmmm...Interesting to see this. I have Tein HE's and I get a popping noise too. I've gotten under the car and wiggled every suspension component I can find. I only really hear the noise when I pulling out of the driveway or parking. Of course, when I moving there's probably other noises that drown it out. The only idea I've come up with is that it's the spring shifting in it's seat somewhat.

08-14-2003, 07:55 PM	#4
zweebach Leaky Injector Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Dallas, TX Posts: 91 Trader Rating: (7) Feedback Score: 7 reviews	I guess it could be worn steering rack bushings. I can't say I've heard of those making noises though.

08-15-2003, 02:27 PM	#5
s15driftdreamer Join Date: May 2003 Location: San Diego Age: 35 Posts: 47 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	i think i found out what the problem is. i had a friend look under my car and listen to the rack with a stethescope and he said he heard no noise coming from inside it but what he did see was my rack twisting due to a loose or worn rack mount. i havent looked myself yet but he said it looks like if i tighten it it would stop.so well see what happnes. jason

08-15-2003, 05:09 PM	#6
kapower Leaky Injector Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: washington,tacoma Posts: 111 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	aahhh... the infamous poping/clunking noise. here is a list of items that I replaced trying to fix the issue. Moog tie rod end, Moog ball joints, whiteline front lower control arm bushings, & TC bushings, tein front upper adjustable strut pillow mounts, kyb agx's, RS*R race springs. I still have the same clunking noise. I have also been wondering if my rack & pinion is to blame. I'am going to replace it with a rack & pinion from a hicas 240 (it has a quicker steering ratio) & some nismo poly-urethane rack & pinion mounts. Please post if you are possitive that your issue is fixed, this clunking noise is driving me crazy.

08-17-2003, 05:48 PM	#10
kapower Leaky Injector Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: washington,tacoma Posts: 111 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	I imagine you've replaced your TC bushings already, so I wont go there, but for most people that is there clunking noise. Another major player that can cause popping noises is the front upper strut mounts. The stock bearings in them do go bad. sometimes I suspect my brake system, its almost like the calipers are hanging up, but who knows. Most likely its in the rack & pinion, or the Racks bushings. What about sway bar bushings could that be the culprate? I will be going to school in 2 weeks (automechanic technician)so hopefully one of my teachers will be able to figure it out for me. I have taken my car to several shops, talken to people like Don at PDM racing, almost replaced the entire front end, and still have the smae old clunking noise. Maybe it is just the springs/coils binding up and clunking when the pressure releases, I honestly don't know, but I will post up as soon as I find the cuase??????????????

08-18-2003, 12:12 PM	#12
s15driftdreamer Join Date: May 2003 Location: San Diego Age: 35 Posts: 47 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	yes the popping happens for me under heavy braking also. i do not think that it is the sway bar because i just put ST sway bars in, but it might be different for you. i still believe that my problem is the rack bushings. i looked under my car today to tighten those bolts and when i poked one of the bushings part of it fell off. i am going to nissan today to order new ones. you might want to check what condition your bushings are in also. just a suggestion. jason

08-18-2003, 11:31 PM	#13
uiuc240 Nissanaholic! Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Naperville, IL Age: 42 Posts: 2,093 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	dude, you HAVE to post up if this works to fix your clunk. i'm waiting anxiously.... Eric __________________ 2002 Mazda Protege5 1989 S13 w/SR20DET (sold)

09-14-2003, 07:02 PM	#14
Rennen Zilvia Addict Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: WichitAr, KS Age: 38 Posts: 877 Trader Rating: (0) Rides Gallery: Rennen Feedback Score: 0 reviews	Caution: Resurrecting old thread Hey, did replacing your steering rack bushings solve your problem? Please post if they did. Oh, and you guys with the Tein coilovers. here is a good thread on FA with relevant info: http://forums.freshalloy.com/ubbthre...b=5&o=&fpart=1 -Matt __________________ '89 Nissan 240SX fastback: #23 DSP/RallyMod2/Track Slut '95 BMW 540i 6 speed: Ultimate Commuting Machine PFM Racing www.solo2.org www.midwest240sx.com

09-14-2003, 09:09 PM	#15
andrave BANNED Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Burton WV Posts: 2,350 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	my friend has a civic and his front struts have a bearing on top of them that lets them turn when you go lock to lock, and when we put his springs in that bearing fell apart so we just ghetto'd it and got as many bearings back in as we could find. weeeelll, eventually taht failed and now his goes "clumpf clumpf clumpf" as the spring turns in its seat or something... don't think s13's have anything like that though.

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