BC coilover clunking noise fix + front driver side wheel play fixed
- Thread starter Cruiser
- Start date
HELP!! Driver's sdie wheel play
So here's to report back the updates of this issue. After having the bad ball joint replaced, the side to side wheel play is completely gone. I thought that was the end of this saga but boy I was wrong. It turns out that the wheel play and the noise are two separate unrelated issues. It is possible thought that the wheel play is the catalyst that caused the secondary issue that caused the noise or vice versa. I called the dealer that fixed the wheel play and spoke to the mechanic. The mechanic said that he was not familiar with the BC coilover system and needed to study and observe it closely to find the root cause of the noise. The service manager quoted me $125 for just diagnostics not including replacement parts. I declined the fix and decided to check it again.
I did some online searches and came across this video of a BC coilover that has the same issue as mine. The video OP indicated the issue was fixed by replacing the strut cartridge.
[video=youtube;9iDjd46PQIk]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9iDjd46PQIk[/video]
I now think that the BC CO suspension was causing the noise issues. One of the notable observation on my ride besides the awfully cringing noise was the loss of dampening of the car. Even running over minor road imperfections and small potholes will cause that teeth jarring loud thump like the car was bottoming up associated with that nasty metal to metal clunking noise.
I jacked up the car again and removed the driver side front wheel. Checked the shock parts for any signs of play and found none. Until I held the bare calipers and raised the shocks on an up and down motion then I hear the clunking noise. I also noticed the camber plate nut and bolt assembly from the strut tower mounts was also moving up and down.
Below are the step by step fix:
Tools needed:
1. jack
2. jack stands
3. 5mm allen key
4. 17mm dual open and closed ended wrench
5. 14mm dual open and closed ended wrench
Procedure:
1. Remove the damper adjustment knob using a 14mm wrench
2. Insert the 5mm allen key on the protruding strut cartridge head and hold it firmly for leverage.
3. Using the 17mm closed ended wrench, turn the camber plate nut clockwise while firmly holding the allen key in place to tighten the nut.
4. Once tightened, replace the damper adjustment knob.
5. Using the 17mm open end wrench, secure the 17mm camber plate nut and begin to tighten the 14mm adjustment knob using the 14mm open ended wrench.
6. For a better grip, use thin wrenches.
7. While the car still jacked up, check the struts for any up and down play.
8. Replace the wheel and torque it back to specs.
9. Re-tighten the 14mm camber plate nut while the wheel is firmly planted on solid ground to ensure any fraction of up and down play is tightened well.
10. Drive the car around, starting with moderate driving then pushing the vehicle to aggressive driving with windows down to listen if the clunking noise is completely gone.
DONE!!!
Mods, please modify the thread title to: "BC coilover clunking noise fix + front driver side wheel play fixed" or something to that effect so this maybe easily searchable for others who may have the same issues with their BC CO.
Thanks.
So here's to report back the updates of this issue. After having the bad ball joint replaced, the side to side wheel play is completely gone. I thought that was the end of this saga but boy I was wrong. It turns out that the wheel play and the noise are two separate unrelated issues. It is possible thought that the wheel play is the catalyst that caused the secondary issue that caused the noise or vice versa. I called the dealer that fixed the wheel play and spoke to the mechanic. The mechanic said that he was not familiar with the BC coilover system and needed to study and observe it closely to find the root cause of the noise. The service manager quoted me $125 for just diagnostics not including replacement parts. I declined the fix and decided to check it again.
I did some online searches and came across this video of a BC coilover that has the same issue as mine. The video OP indicated the issue was fixed by replacing the strut cartridge.
[video=youtube;9iDjd46PQIk]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9iDjd46PQIk[/video]
I now think that the BC CO suspension was causing the noise issues. One of the notable observation on my ride besides the awfully cringing noise was the loss of dampening of the car. Even running over minor road imperfections and small potholes will cause that teeth jarring loud thump like the car was bottoming up associated with that nasty metal to metal clunking noise.
I jacked up the car again and removed the driver side front wheel. Checked the shock parts for any signs of play and found none. Until I held the bare calipers and raised the shocks on an up and down motion then I hear the clunking noise. I also noticed the camber plate nut and bolt assembly from the strut tower mounts was also moving up and down.
Below are the step by step fix:
Tools needed:
1. jack
2. jack stands
3. 5mm allen key
4. 17mm dual open and closed ended wrench
5. 14mm dual open and closed ended wrench
Procedure:
1. Remove the damper adjustment knob using a 14mm wrench
2. Insert the 5mm allen key on the protruding strut cartridge head and hold it firmly for leverage.
3. Using the 17mm closed ended wrench, turn the camber plate nut clockwise while firmly holding the allen key in place to tighten the nut.
4. Once tightened, replace the damper adjustment knob.
5. Using the 17mm open end wrench, secure the 17mm camber plate nut and begin to tighten the 14mm adjustment knob using the 14mm open ended wrench.
6. For a better grip, use thin wrenches.
7. While the car still jacked up, check the struts for any up and down play.
8. Replace the wheel and torque it back to specs.
9. Re-tighten the 14mm camber plate nut while the wheel is firmly planted on solid ground to ensure any fraction of up and down play is tightened well.
10. Drive the car around, starting with moderate driving then pushing the vehicle to aggressive driving with windows down to listen if the clunking noise is completely gone.
DONE!!!
Mods, please modify the thread title to: "BC coilover clunking noise fix + front driver side wheel play fixed" or something to that effect so this maybe easily searchable for others who may have the same issues with their BC CO.
Thanks.
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- Location
- Atlanta, GA
- Car
- 2007 FX35
The loose nut for the top hat shouldn't cause damping issues, it would only cause noise. Does your car still feel like it has no damping?
