I replaced the suspension on my 05 RS with SPT blue springs and WRX struts front and rear. Now when i steer from side to side, there is a distinct clunk coming from the drivers side, it seems to be mostly when the wheel its turned just off from center, maybe 1/2 to 3/4 turn. Any ideas as to what could be causing the noise?
It could be a few things... Check the obvious first. 1. Top hats secure to strut tower? 2. Strut bolt not torqued properly? 3. Check the wheel? Torqued properly? No solution? Strut bolts not installed properly? Camber bolt loose? Perch not aligned properly? Missing washer and/or installed upside down? Spring not aligned properly within strut and/or perch? I don't recall off hand, are the RS tophats compatible with WRX struts? What MY? Did you mess with something else? Endlink? PM me if you're still having issues after checking the above mentioned.
Also, I'd go find a bumpy road and drive on it for about 5 minutes. Sometimes things just need to seat and settle.
i havent had it aligned, i only did it a few days ago, i was thinking it might just be the springs settling, but it hasn't disappeared. Check the obvious first. 1. Top hats secure to strut tower? 2. Strut bolt not torqued properly? 3. Check the wheel? Torqued properly? 1.Top hats are as tight as we could get them 2.Possible - will check when alignment done (haven't had time in the last couple days, and it doesn't pull from side to side.) 3.Wheels are torqued properly also, i did replace the top hats as well when i replaced the struts and springs, the MY is 05 will check after alignment is done.
Those springs will settle a small bit, but shouldn't clunk under normal driving...no way. FYI- Strut Piston nut/top hat- approx 41ft-lb Top hat/Strut tower bolts (3 of them) - 14 ft-lbs (DONT OVER TORQUE) Lower strut bolts- approx 130 ft-lb
so i managed to get the car aligned today, and they said that the "front top strut mounts" were binding and that is causing the clunking, i am assuming by this that i have overtightned the strut piston nut too much? or would it be the top hat bolts that are too tight?
If that's the case either they're talking about the top perch installed incorrectly, no washer, or you actually over torqued the the strut bolt, which should be about 40 ft-lbs. Probably one of the first two... Easy fix
