Suspension issues after lowering car

MFKN3 · 06-24-2010, 07:53 AM

Mark & I installed H&R sport springs a few weeks back. The install was a clean job but took several hours.

After install and alignment, I noticed the car had a slight vibration at high speed - but mainly when decelerating. I thought it was therefore a driveline issue like tail shaft or axle shaft alignment, but it sounds like this isn't a big problem on these newer cars...

So perhaps suspension related? More recently I was coming out of a steep driveway and had steering full lock and heard a very loud suspension 'clunk' from the front. I've also noticed tonight with the windows down, travelling <70km/h I can hear a high speed rattle/creaking coming from the front left wheel area - but basically only when steering right.

Any suggestions before I take it to the shop?

*Ended up being the wheel balance. The workshop machine needed replacing, so was giving me a bad balance

mmmmQuattro · 06-24-2010, 07:59 AM

Did You change the Shocks as well?

MFKN3 · 06-24-2010, 08:01 AM

Nope, the oem sports dampers are pretty good for the time being

Dec540 · 06-24-2010, 08:06 AM

I know this sounds stupid but did you get a balance too? Your vibration is identical to what mine did after i got my FCABs replaced and the wheel balance was out.

MFKN3 · 06-24-2010, 08:10 AM

Nah, they were balanced about 7 months ago. I was thinking of getting it checked until this funny noise. The vibration at +120kph was mainly noticeable under deceleration which is why I thought it wasn't balanced related

suff · 06-24-2010, 10:23 AM

Is there a rattle as well, or just vibration?

WOPALX · 06-24-2010, 04:39 PM

I had an annoying clunk, rear left, over things like speed humps after my pss9 install, if was the springs turning /binding that was the cause. The shop wrapped them with a Teflon plastic and it's been fine since.

dcg71 · 06-24-2010, 05:13 PM

I had my fronts re-installed because I had a rattle coming from one side. Started when turning, but deveped into a rattle when driving depending on road surface. Turned out a washer on top of the strut on one side was installed upside down. While they pulled them apart, they also put some tubed padding around the springs to prevent clatter. Since then everything's been fine.

MFKN3 · 06-24-2010, 06:56 PM

Thanks guys, it's not a rattle and mark and I definitely installed the strut tree assembly right. The noise actually could be clatter because it sounds like a steel compression noise. The vibration and noise though makes me wonder if an arm is cracked or something. The very loud clunk the other day when going full lock on a steep driveway also makes me think the same thing...

Dropped it at the workshop this morning for a diagnostic and visual inspection- hopefully it won't be another $$$ bill and they can sort it out...

zenderm3 · 06-24-2010, 06:59 PM

Good luck J

MFKN3 · 06-28-2010, 01:31 AM

Shop on Friday couldn't visually find any issues. Said the noise is nothing to worry about because the suspension components look fine and the balance, alignment and bearings are perfect.

It is still vibrating a bit at higher speeds and I think that may be axle shaft balancing after lowering it.

They did however charge me $120 for a level 4 mechanic's time and they did say a bolt in the rear axle lower control arm was almost unthreaded and popped out. Not 100% sure I believe it, as we torqued them up very well. Good thing I took it in otherwise my rear wheel might have come off huh?

06-24-2010, 07:53 AM	#1
MFKN3 Colonel 137 Rep 2,224 Posts Drives: supercharged 4.4L stroker E92 Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Australia iTrader: (2)	Suspension issues after lowering car Mark & I installed H&R sport springs a few weeks back. The install was a clean job but took several hours. After install and alignment, I noticed the car had a slight vibration at high speed - but mainly when decelerating. I thought it was therefore a driveline issue like tail shaft or axle shaft alignment, but it sounds like this isn't a big problem on these newer cars... So perhaps suspension related? More recently I was coming out of a steep driveway and had steering full lock and heard a very loud suspension 'clunk' from the front. I've also noticed tonight with the windows down, travelling <70km/h I can hear a high speed rattle/creaking coming from the front left wheel area - but basically only when steering right. Any suggestions before I take it to the shop? Ended up being the wheel balance. The workshop machine needed replacing, so was giving me a bad balance Last edited by MFKN3; 03-03-2011 at 11:32 PM..*
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06-24-2010, 07:59 AM	#2
mmmmQuattro Major 270 Rep 1,169 Posts Drives: f83 / E93 335 / E70 X5 40d Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Adelaide, South Australia iTrader: (0) Garage List 2007 320 E91 M-Spor ... [0.00] 2009 335-E93 M-Sport [0.00]	Did You change the Shocks as well?
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06-24-2010, 08:01 AM	#3
MFKN3 Colonel 137 Rep 2,224 Posts Drives: supercharged 4.4L stroker E92 Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Australia iTrader: (2)	Nope, the oem sports dampers are pretty good for the time being
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06-24-2010, 08:06 AM	#4
Dec540 Captain 140 Rep 679 Posts Drives: G80 M3 Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Sunshine Coast, Australia iTrader: (0)	I know this sounds stupid but did you get a balance too? Your vibration is identical to what mine did after i got my FCABs replaced and the wheel balance was out.
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06-24-2010, 08:10 AM	#5
MFKN3 Colonel 137 Rep 2,224 Posts Drives: supercharged 4.4L stroker E92 Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Australia iTrader: (2)	Nah, they were balanced about 7 months ago. I was thinking of getting it checked until this funny noise. The vibration at +120kph was mainly noticeable under deceleration which is why I thought it wasn't balanced related
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06-24-2010, 10:23 AM	#6
suff On the hunt for PSI 42 Rep 778 Posts Drives: E90 M3 Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Perth, WA iTrader: (0)	Is there a rattle as well, or just vibration?
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06-24-2010, 04:39 PM	#7
WOPALX Lieutenant Colonel 93 Rep 1,993 Posts Drives: 335i Sedan Join Date: May 2007 Location: Sydney, Australia iTrader: (2)	I had an annoying clunk, rear left, over things like speed humps after my pss9 install, if was the springs turning /binding that was the cause. The shop wrapped them with a Teflon plastic and it's been fine since. __________________ Vishnu PROcede V5 \| VK Motorworks FMIC \| AR Design OCC \| Forge DV's \| Bilstein PSS9 \| M3 Lower Control Arms & Caster Rods \| Quaife LSD \| HiTech Exhaust \| BMW Performance Illuminated Door Sills \| BMW Performance Gear Selector & Boot \| BMW Performance E-Brake Cover
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06-24-2010, 05:13 PM	#8
dcg71 Captain 91 Rep 954 Posts Drives: F15 X5 Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Brisbane, Australia iTrader: (2)	I had my fronts re-installed because I had a rattle coming from one side. Started when turning, but deveped into a rattle when driving depending on road surface. Turned out a washer on top of the strut on one side was installed upside down. While they pulled them apart, they also put some tubed padding around the springs to prevent clatter. Since then everything's been fine.
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06-24-2010, 06:56 PM	#9
MFKN3 Colonel 137 Rep 2,224 Posts Drives: supercharged 4.4L stroker E92 Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Australia iTrader: (2)	Thanks guys, it's not a rattle and mark and I definitely installed the strut tree assembly right. The noise actually could be clatter because it sounds like a steel compression noise. The vibration and noise though makes me wonder if an arm is cracked or something. The very loud clunk the other day when going full lock on a steep driveway also makes me think the same thing... Dropped it at the workshop this morning for a diagnostic and visual inspection- hopefully it won't be another $$$ bill and they can sort it out...
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06-24-2010, 06:59 PM	#10
zenderm3 Lieutenant Colonel 101 Rep 1,996 Posts Drives: E36 M3 DY/2010 E92 M3 Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Brisbane iTrader: (0)	Good luck J __________________ ________________ My ///M is in my garage .... and it is a beast! 2010 E92 M3 Space Grey \| Fully Loaded 1996 E36 M3 Dakar Yellow - SOLD 2004 Honda Accord Euro - SOLD
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06-28-2010, 01:31 AM	#11
MFKN3 Colonel 137 Rep 2,224 Posts Drives: supercharged 4.4L stroker E92 Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Australia iTrader: (2)	Shop on Friday couldn't visually find any issues. Said the noise is nothing to worry about because the suspension components look fine and the balance, alignment and bearings are perfect. It is still vibrating a bit at higher speeds and I think that may be axle shaft balancing after lowering it. They did however charge me $120 for a level 4 mechanic's time and they did say a bolt in the rear axle lower control arm was almost unthreaded and popped out. Not 100% sure I believe it, as we torqued them up very well. Good thing I took it in otherwise my rear wheel might have come off huh?
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