Coilover Dimensions...?

[gotboost?]

If anyone has their coilovers or even just the hat that sits on top of the spring out of their Polo at the moment, can you please let me know what the diameter of the metal ring that sits down into the spring is? Also, I'll need the diameter of the widest point, too.

EG:


It appears that I need a thrust bearing to sit between the spring and the hat (on that lip) to allow the spring to spin freely.
I suppose that's what I get for ordering bloody FK's. lol


L.

[h100vw]

Fitted plenty of coilovers and none had a bearing where you're talking about.

The bearing that stops things binding up is in the top mount.

Gavin

If anyone has their coilovers or even just the hat that sits on top of the spring out of their Polo at the moment, can you please let me know what the diameter of the metal ring that sits down into the spring is? Also, I'll need the diameter of the widest point, too.

EG:


It appears that I need a thrust bearing to sit between the spring and the hat (on that lip) to allow the spring to spin freely.
I suppose that's what I get for ordering bloody FK's. lol


L.

[gotboost?]

Well it looks like I'm going to need these things...

I've already purchased and fitted new bearings with no luck. Still getting the popping noise when turning.

Got my wife to turn the wheel while I looked into the arch and it definitely looks like the spring is grabbing a little.

I've found HEAPS of stories of others on the net that have indicated that they've had success in fitting the thrust bearings and the sound has gone away.

Also, some of the other brands of coilover have a little rubber ring that sits between the spring and metal plate, which would probably stop slip, but I'm thinking it's not going to help.

[Blitzen]

I have FK's and had the popping sound come and go intermittently for about 6 months, but now the sound is gone completely. It only happened at very low speeds when turning under load. Just turn the music up...

[gotboost?]

Mine's doing it at all speeds

[gotboost?]

Seriously, this is not just a 'turn up the stereo' issue... I got in this afternoon and now it's rattling when driving in a straight line and I can feel the vibration through my foot. Nothing looks out of place, though...

[s4mmie]

It sounds like you might have more of problem than just the spring knocking around.
But in the meantime, I'd try and get your hands on some calipers to measure your own perches. There's a few places that make thrust bearings for coilovers, try summit racings website. I'll be fitting thrust bearings in mine when they arrive, for the problems you're having and to make it heaps easier to adjust them on-car, ala: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YPO345XrlRE

[gotboost?]

Yeah, I'd seen the thrust bearings and was going to order them...until this rattle started.

[noone]

It's very hard to remotely diagnose what a sound is. It may be something has loostened, I know my car once had a rattle that sounded like it was in the door, was found (or I was told) it was the radiator mounts.

Taking the front skirt off isnt too much of a task, might give you visibility of something.

I feel for you, rattles bug me, I've had my dash pretty much out getting to one bugger.

I don't understand why a car needs thrust bearings when bearings which couple to the top hat and sit above the spring are standard. On saying that I've had issues with them, so these may help reduce the stress on that component?

Would love to experiment but I don't the tools, experience or wallet for it.

[gotboost?]

The thrust bearings are something of an upgrade to also make it easier to adjust the coilovers whilst on the car as well as allow the coilover to turn more freely while driving.

It won't be the radiator mounts. I can feel clunking through my foot whilst driving and it's clear as to where it's coming from.

[s4mmie]

Just a thought, have you checked your LCA bushes aren't fudged? I had clunking around the footwell and just had mine replaced.. all gone. Touch wood.

[Jmac]

It's very hard to remotely diagnose what a sound is. It may be something has loostened, I know my car once had a rattle that sounded like it was in the door, was found (or I was told) it was the radiator mounts.

Taking the front skirt off isnt too much of a task, might give you visibility of something.

I feel for you, rattles bug me, I've had my dash pretty much out getting to one bugger.

I don't understand why a car needs thrust bearings when bearings which couple to the top hat and sit above the spring are standard. On saying that I've had issues with them, so these may help reduce the stress on that component?

Would love to experiment but I don't the tools, experience or wallet for it.

You were told right about the radiator, well its actually the rad support, it comes loose T30 torx screws left and right and it DOES resonate right through to the door, trust me on that, lossen them off and go for a drive then you will see, can really throw someone chasing the rattle,. Seen this in 90% of them, i tighten them up at service anyway. BUt to keep on topic this certainly doesnt sound like that for sure
Cheers

[gotboost?]

Just a thought, have you checked your LCA bushes aren't fudged? I had clunking around the footwell and just had mine replaced.. all gone. Touch wood.

Hrmmm... Could be it, but did yours go that suddenly? As in, I drove the car this morning, didn't really hear much of a rattle. Drove it this afternoon and I started getting this rattle that seriously had me out of the car and on the ground trying to find out what it was before something fell off... :/

You were told right about the radiator, well its actually the rad support, it comes loose T30 torx screws left and right and it DOES resonate right through to the door, trust me on that, lossen them off and go for a drive then you will see, can really throw someone chasing the rattle,. Seen this in 90% of them, i tighten them up at service anyway. BUt to keep on topic this certainly doesnt sound like that for sure
Cheers

Thanks Jimmy. Definitely something I'll have noted for any future rattles that surface lol


Oh, and for the record, it appears to be on the driver's side only.

[Blitzen]

Thanks for the advice on the rad support guys. I have a friggen annoying rattle at the moment. I know that my strut tops are knackered, and they are getting replaced, but the rad support sound described is bang on the mark for what I am hearing (I originally thought it was a buggered exhaust mount with the exhaust hitting the tunnel). Had the car up on the hoist, but nothing there.

[gotboost?]

Just a thought, have you checked your LCA bushes aren't fudged? I had clunking around the footwell and just had mine replaced.. all gone. Touch wood.

Sam, I doubted you at first, but I think you're onto something... Just checked under the car and found something a bit suss...


Driver's side:





Passenger side: