DW Coilover Knock anyone?

mint

mint

touch my fruit
Ok this thread isnt intended to accuse the Driftworks coilovers of failing or knocking. Just to get that straight.

Im curious. Over the last few days iv been suffering a very loud knocking noise coming from the rear pass side arch of the s15. As of today its now 10x worse.

Im trying to eliminate what the problem is.. one by one. Im not very mechanically minded, However im learning and i have alot of friends who are. Each one so far.. is totally stumped by this noise.

Usual suspects have been ruled out so far. Bearings, Bushings, Loose Collars, Exhaust, Mounts, Diff etc etc. One thing that I got asked tonight was about the coilovers.

Has anyone reported to have had any issue's with their's? In terms of knocking noise's from the strut? Its booked into a garage on Friday to get the clutch fitted along with some other parts, So they will be having a look at this for me too.

Im not putting any blame here on the coil's, as to be honest i stand by them for being unreal! Love them to bits im just curious? Im guessing if the shock had gone then there would be oil all over the place? I dont see any leaks or anything.

*For the records the coilovers arnt on the lowest settings and are about half way on the dampness*

And of course lastly. If it came to it that the single coilover was on its way out, Can this be bought singly? Or is this a daft question?

Thanks very much
 
check the coilover top mount is tight and also the retaining nut on the top of the shock where it attaches to the mount, these can sometimes work loose. check all the bolts, as in put a spanner on them, your hands only are not enough. Knackered CV joints can also cause knocking... is it movement or drive based? get up to speed, put the clutch in, let the revs drop and listen.

hope that helps.
 
mitto said:
.. and also the retaining nut on the top of the shock where it attaches to the mount,
Click to expand...

Not to sound stupid but is this the large 'nut' that is around the dampness adjustment? If so I havent checked that. Iv checked the other two though.

adjusters.jpg


Thanks for the info mitto. I'll be on it first thing in the morning. :thumbs:
 
be very strange if the coilover itself is faulty, the Driftworks coilovers are bomb proof.

Jack the car up in the air and rock the wheel, also lifting it up and down to see if there is any play, it may not be the shock but something on the suspension, as its a ball bearing top mount instead of a super soft mount if there was something else knocking it would transmit it into the body of the car and so making it more audible.

Check the bottom nut is tight, and the spring seats have not come undone, because it could be rocking in its threads.

wiggle the coil over with your hand see if the spring is majorly loose compared to the otherside.

may turn out to be something stupid, but either way give driftworks a call as i'm sure they will be more then willing to help you out mate :thumbs:

clarkey.
 
Thanks Clarkey :)
Sounds like a task for the morning!

My post on the s15oc said:
Well.. After being at another mates tonight .. were all still non the wiser. All i know is, Its getting more frequent.

-The exhaust has no play
-Locking Collars are tight
-Top Mounts are tight
-Suspension is set on softer settings
-Wheel bearing is fine
-Wheel is on tight
-Hub Extension is on tight
-Jumping up and down on the rear of the car makes NO noise
-Anti Roll bar seems solid
-Subframe seems solid
-No movement in the coilover

On turning to the left. There seems to be no noise, On turning to the right its now a serious loud knock. Sometimes on certain bumps it sounds like "KNOCK..knock" as if its a bar of some sort.

It cant be the diff (from what weve concluded) since its not constant while driving. Only when hitting a bump (Even little ones) or going round a round about. The diff isnt wining.

Its now getting worse though as of tonight's drive home from work. The tiniest little bump/hole and it makes a god fully awful noise! Inside the car it is emitting from the rear pass arch direction. My friend confirmed tonight it must be something heavy to make such a noise and for it to almost "Judder" the floor plan of the car.. as you can actually feel the knock. Its bloody wild now.

From last sat when i heard the noise around 2/3 times.. to now it being almost constant.. although, some bumps.. you dont hear it? but the tools in the boot will rattle? It just does not make any sence!

Really stuck on this one.
Click to expand...
 
you could always quickly swap the coilovers over from side to side to check if the noise follows ?

That would tell you for sure. :D
 
superclarkey said:
you could always quickly swap the coilovers over from side to side to check if the noise follows ?

That would tell you for sure. :D
Click to expand...

Thats again something I never even considered. This could be a good shout also. Best get to bed then if im up early :)

Thanks mate! :thumbs::thumbs::thumbs:
 
Yep do the normal checks, check topmount nuts and if everything seems ok swap the coilover from side to side. If the noise follows and you still can't identify where it's coming from then we'd ask you to return the knocking unit for inspection and we can replace whatever is making the noise.

We've got all the parts in stock so no worries if there is a problem. :) We've only had 2 shock failures in all the CS1/CS2/HSD HRs we've sold, so I'd say it's pretty unlikely, but not impossible!
 
slightly off topic, but if feels as if, my CS1s are getting increasingly firmer. they are on full soft atm, but its like i can feel every little bump in the road. Also going on some bumps i.e. speed bumps, slowly sounds like they're creaking, just like a squeeky bed. :wack: Im gonna whip them off the car, and give them a proper tear down, and clean up. Anything to look out for?
thanks
 
I'd put money on the top nut working loose. I had that on a previous set of coilovers and it was a nasty noise. You could always try re-fitting the old suspension (if you still have it) at least that will let you pinpoint where the problem is.
 
Ok cheers guys - Didnt have much time before work, but will sort it out.

Dont have the old suspension :( but going to swap them around on the rear and see what happens.
 
Hey guys. Right after checking everything tonight, it has to the coilover. I'll phone you guys tomorro
 
Problem now solved - Big Big thanks to the Driftworks team for helping me out, and getting me to my drift day tomorrow morning.

Very Happy!
 
i've just fitted mine today to my mx5 and im getting a knocking rattling noise from the rear only when i go over bumps, im gonna check the top nut in the morning as its to dark now, but i never touched them when fitting, do they usually come done up tight enough or are you sposed to tighten it when you fit them ???
 
dude they come with a fitting instructions!! dd u actually read them?

they need maintaining, they need regualar oiling to prolong life, and keep performance tip top!!!!
 
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