BC Coilovers Pillowball Mounts

[matty_et]

Hey guys,
I was just wondering if anyone could help me with the following question. I have a set of BC coilovers fitted to my gen4, had them on now for approx 75K Kms. I have developed a noise in the front end recently, i've heard reports of the pillowball mounts wearing out rather quickly on this brand of coilovers. The problem though is im not sure if its the pillowballs. The noise is heard not whilst driving but when i first hop in the car whether it be first drive of the day or if it has been parked for say 5 min. The noise happens when i turn the wheels while stationary or when reversing out of a car spot/ drive way. The sound it makes sounds like the spring on the shock is loading up somewhat/ rubbing on the spring platforms.....it make a clunk and sounds as though the spring is ringing slightly. At first i thought it may be front endlinks but i have a stock front swaybar and from previous experience the clunk noise made with worn endlinks happens more so when actually driving, turning tight corners right? It sounds as though somethings loose but i have gone over the whole front end and found nothing. Could it be the pillowball mount grinding/clicking (jamming/loading up then unloading causing the clunk and ringing) when i turn the wheels while sationary?

Also does anyone know if most brands of coilovers pillow ball mounts are interchangeable? There is set of Cuzco top pillowball camber plate mounts on japanparts for around $250

Cheers guys, appreciate your help.

[Kevlar GT]

I recently had a similar noise and it ended up being the lower control arm bushes. Mind you mine made the noise a few times whilst driving but only at very low speed.

[smythie]

75,000kms is a bloody long life for a set of coilovers. Nothing you can do about it - coilovers aren't designed for the sort of life the stock dampers are and those are generally getting old at that (70,000-80,000km) age. If yours have lasted that long and anything is just now starting to wear out the wear has been anything but quick.

[matty_et]

The coilovers are totally serviceable, so the faulty part (if on the coilover) can be replaced. I agree the whole set could do with an overhaul but atm its really only the noise thats getting to me.
Cheers.

[teK--]

75,000kms is a bloody long life for a set of coilovers. Nothing you can do about it - coilovers aren't designed for the sort of life the stock dampers are and those are generally getting old at that (70,000-80,000km) age. If yours have lasted that long and anything is just now starting to wear out the wear has been anything but quick.

+1 I would have had them rebuilt at around 60KKms and even that is pushing it.

[adhar]

Just check that the fastener rings that hold the spring are done up tightly. i.e is the spring to the right amount of pre-load? Should be about 5mm pre-load.

I used to have a set of racing logic coilovers and i started getting this noise you describe when turning the wheel parking. It turned out to be an easy fix as the left front had come undone slightly and was allowing the coil to turn a bit. I used a vernier to measure the pre-load gap and discovered that the fronts were way out so i took them out completely and and reset them to 5mm pre-load (as advised by Racing Logic themselves) and did them up nice and tight. I did all 4 just in case but just the front left was the problem, and it was all solved.

[Laps]

fuck me so does anyone know how much a rebuild will cost on my pedders coilovers lol?

PS only had them 1500kms lol

[teK--]

Pedders coilovers aren't rebuildable. When they reach that stage throw them out and get new ones.

[teK--]

Just check that the fastener rings that hold the spring are done up tightly. i.e is the spring to the right amount of pre-load? Should be about 5mm pre-load.

I used to have a set of racing logic coilovers and i started getting this noise you describe when turning the wheel parking. It turned out to be an easy fix as the left front had come undone slightly and was allowing the coil to turn a bit. I used a vernier to measure the pre-load gap and discovered that the fronts were way out so i took them out completely and and reset them to 5mm pre-load (as advised by Racing Logic themselves) and did them up nice and tight. I did all 4 just in case but just the front left was the problem, and it was all solved.

DIY troubleshooting and repair is so satisfying

[Laps]

Pedders coilovers aren't rebuildable. When they reach that stage throw them out and get new ones.

ahh even worse ;[

[drndrn]

Pedders coilovers aren't rebuildable. When they reach that stage throw them out and get new ones.

ahh even worse ;[

That's exactly what turned me off Pedders coilovers.


To the OP, did you get the BR(gold and black) or the VA's(or V1's whatever they're called, that are red and black?) I just recently got a set of BR's and scared this may occur on mine too.. lol

[matty_et]

Hey, thanks for all the input guys. I found the problem, the front left coilovers top mount...the main centre nut on it ( the one under the damper adjuster) had come slightly loose, it would have been the only place i didnt check prior to my post i just nipped it up and all is well. I couldnt believe the nut being only barley loose could cause such a noise, come to think of it... i think it may have started to develop when i got run of the road and onto an island acouple of weeks ago by some maniac driver. Anway all is good now, thanks for your help.

My model is the VA's red and black fitted and supplied by wholesale suspension.

Oh and laps might be worth a shot speaking to wholesale suspension, it may be possible to rebuild them afterall their preety similar in design to the BC's, possibly are BC's just rebranded. Worth a shot anyway when the time comes.

Cheers guys

[smythie]

when you say "nipped it up" did you just finger tighten it or stick a spanner on it? If only finger tight I'd suggest going back to wholesale suspension and asking them to spare a couple of minutes to tighten it up properly for you

[matty_et]

tightend correctly with a spanner.