Clunking noise

[darkcrave]

I swapped my struts for the 2004 WRX, fronts were great but the rear ones making a clunking noise when i go over anything on the road.
so i just decided they may be bad and replaced them with new ones
same clunking noise

When i installed then i used a spring compressor
impacted the strut nutt? as much as i could ( not sure how to do it with the allen key)

am i missing something?

[darkcrave]

Anyone?

[Legacy777]

Which top mounts did you use? There may be space between the mount and strut shaft lip, even when tightened. If not, I'd look at the mounts.

You can remove the back seat (if you have a sedan and have someone drive the car while you listen to try and pin point where the noise is coming from.

[darkcrave]

I used the top hats from the facelift since the 91's are tapered.
is it possible to get the tophats backwards??

i have the backseats out right now and the sound is coming from the rear in each corner. its almost sounds like the struts are bottoming out. I know thats not the case?

[Legacy777]

Are you use the top hat is securely mounted up against the chassis?

Any chance you could take a couple pictures?

[darkcrave]

All three of the 12mm are secure on each side

Im going to pull them off and replace them with my old setup for now until i can figure this out
when i do that im going to post some pictures

[Legacy777]

Sounds good.

When you pull it off and compress the springs, check to see if there's any play between the top mount and the strut shaft.

[darkcrave]

ok quick question i hope someones on.

On the Preface lift top hats their is a arrow that points to the strut mounts to the spindle ( you can see the arrow in the picture )






on the face lift top hats has 5 circles on the perch with a larger one in the middle like ( oO0Oo )






is this trying to tell me the large circle should be facing to where the strut meets the spindle???


sorry i forgot i dont have a phone anymore to take pictures atm

[darkcrave]

This is about the 9th time taking my struts off lol but it seemed promising but it didnt help lol same sound ( i thought i discovered something )

[Legacy777]

Did you install just the top mounts on the strut shaft without the spring. Do that and tighten the nut. Make sure there is no play between the top mount and strut shaft. If there is no play, and you've tried multiple strut setups, chances are that the problem is not with the struts.

You can either try replacing the top mounts with new ones, but if the noise was there with multiple top mounts, then that's likely not the issue either. Are the brake lines secured, is there anything else you removed or worked on while changing the struts? Have you looked at the anti-sway bar for marks to see if it is clunking?

[darkcrave]

I havent doent that yet, but the first time i did it there was play and there was a worse noise then there is now. I retightened the nut and pushed up and down on the strut and make sure there was no play and nothing moved. it seemed all tight nothing moved? these are the second struts i used and these are brand new kybs.

what do you think the chances taht the top mounts are bad?. the brake lines are loose but do you really think they can cause that loud of a noise??? I didnt remove anything else. I never had a problem with any sounds before i desides to remove the stuts. swaybar looks secure

[darkcrave]

Possibly found the cause.... stand by

[darkcrave]

anyone want to know the answer??



































Trunk was clunking......... dear god why me. lol

[Legacy777]

The trunk? Do explain...

[darkcrave]

where the trunk latch is was a bit loose causing the trunk to almost "Slam" every bump i hit, and having the back seats out made it even loader! i guess thats the good news lol!

[SILINC3R]

hmmm, guess ill have to check my trunk.just swapped 93 struts with 02 WRX springs and I have the clunking as you explained. glad you figuredit out.

[volny]

I have a clunking noise in front passenger side....my friend says its the muffler, I guess I'll have to investigate!