Suspension installed

osukf09 · 08-27-2011, 05:09 PM

I had the old bmw perf. shocks/struts installed with SP lowering perches a few weeks ago. Even on the test drive right after the install, there were some binding noises coming from the front when turning the steering wheel pretty far left/right at slow speeds.

The installer (reputable shop in Bay Area) said he thought it was from the new lowering perches not re-using the rubber piece that sits between the perch and spring. I thought I'd wait and see how it went for a few weeks, as I haven't seen many people with SP lowering perches complaining about this issue on the forum. Its been a few weeks, looks like the suspension has actually settled a bit (not sure how since I kept stock sport springs), got an alignment, and the binding noise is still there.

The front end feels somewhat looser to me. (possibly endlinks or worn control arm bushing issue too?) I'm also worried that the binding could become more than just a noise issue. Could this be an install problem, as it sounds really similar to people who've mis-installed the washers on the strut assembly.

Looking for advice because I've since moved to LA and want to confirm that this sounds like an install problem, rather than an issue with the lowering perch not re-using the oe rubber spacing.

Thanks.

BTW - I was going to take it to LTBMW down here in LA to troubleshoot the issue.

osukf09 · 08-30-2011, 02:14 AM

bump, no one has had any issue similar to this?

AUChris9 · 08-30-2011, 08:11 AM

I'm pretty sure I saw another thread on this possibly in the vendors forum where SPP originally posted about these. SPP says that if installed correctly that it shouldn't make noise as the spring locks into place in the top of the perch.

Murph335 · 08-30-2011, 12:06 PM

check the bearings/bushings on the front struts, they look like big washers, they need to sit like this
v
^

Not like this..
V or ^
V ^

osukf09 · 08-31-2011, 06:19 PM

thanks for the info guys. I'll probably end up taking it in to get looked at as I don't have any of my tools down here.

Sounds like its an install issue.

TxBeem · 11-01-2011, 06:02 PM

I have same issue. I am taking it back to install to double check everything. Very annoying!

mike-y · 11-01-2011, 06:10 PM

I think Murph is right. It sounds like the washer on top of the lowering perch/under the guide support was installed upside down. Lowering perches do not make noise when installed correctly, even without that little rubber isolater gasket that normally goes between the top of the spring and the upper spring plate/perch.

that washer has a black stripe on one side which should face UP and has a slight dome to it, while the bottom of the washer is flat.

osukf09 · 11-03-2011, 01:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TxBeem

I have same issue. I am taking it back to install to double check everything. Very annoying!

Yes, very annoying and can't stop thinking about it/feeling it everytime I drive.

Let me know how it goes with the new install and what they do (washers I'm guessing)

osukf09 · 11-03-2011, 01:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mike-y

I think Murph is right. It sounds like the washer on top of the lowering perch/under the guide support was installed upside down. Lowering perches do not make noise when installed correctly, even without that little rubber isolater gasket that normally goes between the top of the spring and the upper spring plate/perch.

that washer has a black stripe on one side which should face UP and has a slight dome to it, while the bottom of the washer is flat.

This is kind of what I was thinking after reading a bit more on people with binding/noise issues with their front ends after installation.

I've been holding out because it's a bit intermittent with the issues, and because the shop who did the install is in norcal (I moved down to la 2 months ago) and would have to pay another shop down here to take it all apart just to switch washers around. Won't be making another drive up til christmas time, doubt I can hold out that long (if it's even ok for the suspension bits, which I doubt)

Anyone know longterm effects of having these washers not installed correctly? I've unfortunately been driving on them for several months now. Only here/feel binding every once in a while, but its enough to know it's not right.

mike-y · 11-03-2011, 12:05 PM

where in LA do you live now?

as far as long term effects, I am not sure. maybe just the noise, but can't say for sure.

osukf09 · 11-12-2011, 03:22 PM

Im on the westside, Santa Monica area.

mike-y · 11-12-2011, 03:40 PM

I'm in Redondo Beach, so if you have a place to work on your car, I could probably help you out.

08-27-2011, 05:09 PM	#1
osukf09 First Lieutenant 64 Rep 341 Posts Drives: 2011 e92 M3 ZCP Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: San Francisco, CA iTrader: (0)	Suspension installed - Binding issue/noise I had the old bmw perf. shocks/struts installed with SP lowering perches a few weeks ago. Even on the test drive right after the install, there were some binding noises coming from the front when turning the steering wheel pretty far left/right at slow speeds. The installer (reputable shop in Bay Area) said he thought it was from the new lowering perches not re-using the rubber piece that sits between the perch and spring. I thought I'd wait and see how it went for a few weeks, as I haven't seen many people with SP lowering perches complaining about this issue on the forum. Its been a few weeks, looks like the suspension has actually settled a bit (not sure how since I kept stock sport springs), got an alignment, and the binding noise is still there. The front end feels somewhat looser to me. (possibly endlinks or worn control arm bushing issue too?) I'm also worried that the binding could become more than just a noise issue. Could this be an install problem, as it sounds really similar to people who've mis-installed the washers on the strut assembly. Looking for advice because I've since moved to LA and want to confirm that this sounds like an install problem, rather than an issue with the lowering perch not re-using the oe rubber spacing. Thanks. BTW - I was going to take it to LTBMW down here in LA to troubleshoot the issue.
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08-30-2011, 02:14 AM	#2
osukf09 First Lieutenant 64 Rep 341 Posts Drives: 2011 e92 M3 ZCP Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: San Francisco, CA iTrader: (0)	bump, no one has had any issue similar to this?
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08-30-2011, 08:11 AM	#3
AUChris9 Private 3 Rep 61 Posts Drives: 2008 328i Sedan Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Atlanta iTrader: (1)	I'm pretty sure I saw another thread on this possibly in the vendors forum where SPP originally posted about these. SPP says that if installed correctly that it shouldn't make noise as the spring locks into place in the top of the perch.
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08-30-2011, 12:06 PM	#4
Murph335 Major 141 Rep 1,423 Posts Drives: '07 N54 e90, '10 N54 e93, TBSS Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Gilbert, AZ iTrader: (12) Garage List 2015 Tesla P85D [0.00]	check the bearings/bushings on the front struts, they look like big washers, they need to sit like this v ^ Not like this.. V or ^ V ^ __________________ E90 - H&R Touring - M3 Front Arms - Work Genosis GS-1 19x9+30 x10+26 225f 265r stretch - AA FMIC - AR DP - Cobb E30 Map +160rwhp/+200rwtq E93 - Style 95 - RB Turbo - AR DP - Evolution RW FMIC - PTF E50 +242rwhp/+234rwtq
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08-31-2011, 06:19 PM	#5
osukf09 First Lieutenant 64 Rep 341 Posts Drives: 2011 e92 M3 ZCP Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: San Francisco, CA iTrader: (0)	thanks for the info guys. I'll probably end up taking it in to get looked at as I don't have any of my tools down here. Sounds like its an install issue.
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11-01-2011, 06:02 PM	#6
TxBeem Captain 93 Rep 651 Posts Drives: 2008 E90 Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Dallas iTrader: (6)	I have same issue. I am taking it back to install to double check everything. Very annoying!
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11-01-2011, 06:10 PM	#7
mike-y just another bmw douche bag 195 Rep 3,640 Posts Drives: 1.9L of fury Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Los Angeles, CA iTrader: (4)	I think Murph is right. It sounds like the washer on top of the lowering perch/under the guide support was installed upside down. Lowering perches do not make noise when installed correctly, even without that little rubber isolater gasket that normally goes between the top of the spring and the upper spring plate/perch. that washer has a black stripe on one side which should face UP and has a slight dome to it, while the bottom of the washer is flat.
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11-03-2011, 12:05 PM	#10
mike-y just another bmw douche bag 195 Rep 3,640 Posts Drives: 1.9L of fury Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Los Angeles, CA iTrader: (4)	where in LA do you live now? as far as long term effects, I am not sure. maybe just the noise, but can't say for sure.
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11-12-2011, 03:22 PM	#11
osukf09 First Lieutenant 64 Rep 341 Posts Drives: 2011 e92 M3 ZCP Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: San Francisco, CA iTrader: (0)	Im on the westside, Santa Monica area.
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11-12-2011, 03:40 PM	#12
mike-y just another bmw douche bag 195 Rep 3,640 Posts Drives: 1.9L of fury Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Los Angeles, CA iTrader: (4)	I'm in Redondo Beach, so if you have a place to work on your car, I could probably help you out.
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