AP Coilovers clunking - have searched forum previously - please help!

[roblcr]

Hi everyone, i have searched and searched, and searched some more but to no avail...

On my mk1 Leon Cupra R i have a set of AP Coilovers, they were fitted roughly 1.5 years ago. Approximately a year ago i replaced the top mounts and bearings on the fronts as i was getting some noise issues. Fast forward a year and the noises have returned. A dull clunk when driving in a straight line at slow car park speeds, but also a whine when turning at slow car park speeds. I put this down to the friction between the top mount and the coilovers. So, i've regreased and tightened the top nuts whilst holding the strut itself so that the nut does actually tighten and not just spin the whole strut assembly. But the noises remain. I've also tried having them 'finger tight' and again, the noises remain!

So, today i've ordered some TEIN rubber silencers that fit onto the coils themselves to eliminate any spring chatter and other spring related noises. I'm not all that confident at the moment that they will rid of the noises, but am willing to try anything!

Are the coils binding? If so, how do i rid of it? I can hear the dull clunk from inside the car, and doesn't inspire confidence.

I'm kind of reluctant to accept that the top mounts and bearings need replacing again after such short period of time.

Has anyone experienced this first hand, that knows what this is and how to finally fix the problem?

Please help me people, it's taking over my life lately!!

Cheers, Rob

 

[Ryan6926]

Heya mate are you sure it's definitely the coilovers that are making the noise, Have you checked wishbone / ARB bushes etc as well ?

 

[roblcr]

Hi Ryan, I've not checked them, simply cos the noise is coming from the suspension area :/

 

[xDaNx]

What top mounts you got?

 

[Ryan6926]

It maybe worth checking them too, I had a knock from mine under rough ground and thought suspension, I had a look and suspension was fine, Looked a little further into the various components and found it was the rear wishbone bush that was knackered and was making the noise

If not then it's more likely to be top mounts but after a year that's appalling

 

[roblcr]

Top mounts are the 80 durometer hardness lcr top mounts. Part number 1ML412331. The noise is definately coming from the front but I guess the best thing to do would be to lube all ball joints around the front of the car and go from there. It's so frustrating!

 

[grahams81]

I agree with Ryan6926, i had very similar issues with the wives mk4 golf. Slow carpark moving speeds seemed to highlight a clunking.
I initially thought it was ARB bushes but they were fine.

The noise was coming from the rear wishbone bush, it was completely knackered.

A very easy way for testing is to put your foot on the wheel and try and push it towards the door...... or get a friend to rock the car forward and back on the clutch whilst you watch... i could see the wheel moving backwards and forwards about 3" in the arch.

 

[roblcr]

Update for you: Yesterday i spent a bit of time cleaning the whole coilover strut, inc spring, upper mounts and perches etc. I also applied grease to all ball joints and bushings and tightened everything as best i could. Long story short, the noises seem to have gone! I'll never know what cured it, but hey ho!

On a seperate issue, as i have ds2500 pads on the front with no pad wear indicators on them, i've soldered my brake pad wear indicator cables together, to rid of the annoying light on the dash when i start the car, but the light still comes on! I've searched here, but nobody seems to have had the same problem. Why am i still getting the light come on even though i have soldered the wires together to create a constant circuit?!