Front Suspension Issue

[Kevin81]

Need some help, folks! I installed H and R lowering springs with Magnum HD struts last year. There was a slight knocking noise when turning the wheel while the vehicle was completely stopped...nothing alarming, and very very slight, so I thought nothing of it, as cars I've had in the past make lots of new noises when I updated their suspensions (old cars).

Now, after putting 10k miles on them, all the sudden, I hear and feel a new, louder knocking noise when going over bumps. So, I jack the car up, yank the wheels off, and start going over all the nuts and bolts, making sure everything is tight. And then my arm brush the coil spring...and it MOVED. My H and R spring spins in the strut freely when no weight is on it. That....can't be normal? Checked the other side...and while it's not as easy to spin...it still spins. Checked to make sure the top of the shock is secure, and it is. It's as if the strut is too long for that spring all of a sudden.

Help?

 

[Billy VK]

Usually they will move when the suspension is at full extension. Not an issue with stock springs but the h&r springs are that way on mine too. I would not think that has anything to do with your knock sound.

 

[Kevin81]

Next thing I gotta check then are the AD torque mounts...that's the only thing I've touched this year.

 

[802SHO]

Yeah with the H&R I was able to remove the front springs by hand with ease changing out the struts last year. There’s no tension at full extension of the strut.

 

[Kevin81]

Yeah with the H&R I was able to remove the front springs by hand with ease changing out the struts last year. There’s no tension at full extension of the strut.

So now if I go over a bump, wouldn't that cause some noise? The spring moving around while load is removed from the strut?

 

[802SHO]

I don’t think so, we would all have noisy suspension with H&R springs if that was the case. It must be something else that’s worn

 

[Ish416]

My SHO was making that clunking noise when turning the wheel while stopped and a few months later, eventually became a loud clunk when making the suspension move from hitting a bump or something similar. I had intended to replace the suspension on the car as it has 86,000 miles on it. The clunking noise I experienced came from the lower control arm bushing being completely shot. If you haven't checked that, give it a look.

 

[SHOamBroke]

Worked for Ford for 7 years as an advisor in service. When I’m barely moving or sitting still and turn wheel I also hear a “boing” type noise. These noises are from the upper strut tower mounts. Very common. Might wanna look into that.

 

[Kevin81]

Ok, I went through every nut on both sides of the suspension, locked in tight. No missing overly worn bushings. Torque mounts are tight.

Motor mounts? But I feel if they go, I'd feel the engine buck under hard acceleration.

 

[Kevin81]

Just took it for a drive, and the clunk sounds don't happen over bumps, so much as dips. Also, if I go hard enough left to right, I can get a clunk that way as well.

 

[Kevin81]

Worked for Ford for 7 years as an advisor in service. When I’m barely moving or sitting still and turn wheel I also hear a “boing” type noise. These noises are from the upper strut tower mounts. Very common. Might wanna look into that.

And we have a winner! Finally broke down and took it to the Ford dealership...been meaning to do it anyway, wanted to see if there were any recalls and possibly get a service history on it.

And it was the upper strut mounts. Replacement set me back 900$. Yikes. Also, though, the tech said he's never seen springs so loose when the suspension is decompressed. So...I know we all live with that with these cars...but I think I am going to try to source new struts that are shorter. Which makes since....I installed lowering springs...but run stock ride height struts? Not on any car I've ever lowered....