suspension clunk/pop that I just can't track down - Zilvia.net Forums | Nissan 240SX (Silvia) and Z (Fairlady) Car Forum

Dustbunnie · 12-09-2004, 11:48 AM

I have a suspension clunking sound coming from both sides of the rear. My chassis has 200k miles on it, I have D2 coilovers and subframe spacers (the plasticy kind, not metal). This noise has been there pretty much since I installed the coilovers, but is much worse lately. I thought the subframe spacers would fix it possibly, but they didn't change it one bit.

Does anyone have any possible places I could start looking towards? I jacked the car up, and with the wheel off, jacked up the lower control arm. It makes about 2 clunks for a complete compression of the suspension, and then one coming back down. I can't see any component jumping around or see anything at all when it makes the noise, and nothing seems to have any give when I just pull back and forth..I really don't know where it could be coming from. Any ideas?

sr240mike · 12-09-2004, 12:30 PM

D2's clunk, nothing you can do about it. I have tried just about everything from greasing em up, preloading the springs, retightening them, and nothing changed. I have the delrin subframe spacers too.

Dustbunnie · 12-09-2004, 01:01 PM

Yeah, but have yours gotten worse? And is yours only from the rear? Mine have gotten progressively worse..it used to only happen when I'd first start driving on cold mornings, then go away. By summer time, it was pretty much non-existent. And, I know it's cold out again, but it was like 45 degrees out today and they were clunking like crazy...

I guess I'd feel better just letting it go if there was another D2 owner that said the same thing..

idlafie · 12-09-2004, 02:22 PM

Okay I know this may sound stupid....(and may earn me the winner of the STFU award), but doesn't rubber shrink a wee bit in cold weather?? It could be the slight shrinkage that's causing the clunking sound. The plastic spacers that you have might not be able to compensate for that shrinkage. You said this only happens in the wintertime & not during the warmer fall, spring & summer months. That might be the reason for it...Try switching over to another type of subframe spacers.
Anyhow..the reason I came up with this stupid theory is because people often say when installing any type of bushings to throw them in the freezer so they shrink a little, making the install a little easier.
Anyhow, feel free to let me know if I'm full of it or not......
ID
..winner of the

award...

sr240mike · 12-09-2004, 04:03 PM

I wouldn't call that stupid. Aluminum subframe bushings that replace the rubber ones need to be frozen to make it shrink a little so it will fit. The delrin is a spacer that goes between the stock rubber bushing and subframe. Tons of people have been complaining about d2's clunking. If you search "clunking" d2 will pop up more than a few times. It could very well be that your subframe bushings have deteriorated though.

12-09-2004, 11:48 AM	#1
Dustbunnie Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Iowa Age: 39 Posts: 26 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	suspension clunk/pop that I just can't track down I have a suspension clunking sound coming from both sides of the rear. My chassis has 200k miles on it, I have D2 coilovers and subframe spacers (the plasticy kind, not metal). This noise has been there pretty much since I installed the coilovers, but is much worse lately. I thought the subframe spacers would fix it possibly, but they didn't change it one bit. Does anyone have any possible places I could start looking towards? I jacked the car up, and with the wheel off, jacked up the lower control arm. It makes about 2 clunks for a complete compression of the suspension, and then one coming back down. I can't see any component jumping around or see anything at all when it makes the noise, and nothing seems to have any give when I just pull back and forth..I really don't know where it could be coming from. Any ideas?

12-09-2004, 12:30 PM	#2
sr240mike Zilvia FREAK! Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: California, Norcal biiaatch Posts: 1,185 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	D2's clunk, nothing you can do about it. I have tried just about everything from greasing em up, preloading the springs, retightening them, and nothing changed. I have the delrin subframe spacers too. __________________ TWO IN THE COOT, ONE IN THE POOT

12-09-2004, 02:22 PM	#4
idlafie Zilvia Addict Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: ..So Cal.... Posts: 940 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	Okay I know this may sound stupid....(and may earn me the winner of the STFU award), but doesn't rubber shrink a wee bit in cold weather?? It could be the slight shrinkage that's causing the clunking sound. The plastic spacers that you have might not be able to compensate for that shrinkage. You said this only happens in the wintertime & not during the warmer fall, spring & summer months. That might be the reason for it...Try switching over to another type of subframe spacers. Anyhow..the reason I came up with this stupid theory is because people often say when installing any type of bushings to throw them in the freezer so they shrink a little, making the install a little easier. Anyhow, feel free to let me know if I'm full of it or not...... ID ..winner of the award... __________________ Weekend Mechanic for my Not-So-Mechanically-Inclined buddies....

12-09-2004, 04:03 PM	#5
sr240mike Zilvia FREAK! Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: California, Norcal biiaatch Posts: 1,185 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	I wouldn't call that stupid. Aluminum subframe bushings that replace the rubber ones need to be frozen to make it shrink a little so it will fit. The delrin is a spacer that goes between the stock rubber bushing and subframe. Tons of people have been complaining about d2's clunking. If you search "clunking" d2 will pop up more than a few times. It could very well be that your subframe bushings have deteriorated though. __________________ TWO IN THE COOT, ONE IN THE POOT

12-09-2004, 01:01 PM	#3
Dustbunnie Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Iowa Age: 39 Posts: 26 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	Yeah, but have yours gotten worse? And is yours only from the rear? Mine have gotten progressively worse..it used to only happen when I'd first start driving on cold mornings, then go away. By summer time, it was pretty much non-existent. And, I know it's cold out again, but it was like 45 degrees out today and they were clunking like crazy... I guess I'd feel better just letting it go if there was another D2 owner that said the same thing..