The Long Road Back

[—Bryan—]

Admittedly, I filled up on Alcoa Highway on my way in on Thursday, and was still on that same tank when I went home last night. Normally, I'd have filled up once or twice. The car left the lot at Fontana to go up and down NC28 2.5 times and that's it

It felt good, and I had at least two people besides me drive it and they didn't notice anything out of the order. Problem is I don't know what are normal noises for coilovers and heim-jointed endlinks.

[— kung fu jesus —]

Ahhhhh....I was trying to go back to see what you added. If it was serious, the car would move/lurch alarmingly with the sounds. I would bet many or all of the sounds are from the new suspension pieces.

[—Bryan—]

Added:

1. RB 1.25" bar w/ blocks and Supermiata endlinks
2. NB1 subframe
3. Used upper A-Arm and cheap lower A-arms coupled with new Mazda OEM Lower Ball Joints
4. MSM Bilsteins with 550lb front springs and NB tophats

That about sums it up.

It almost sounded like the spring was hitting the bottom of the tophat, as if it'd drooped enough to separate (I get enough droop travel that the springs do indeed separate from the tophat).

FWIW, I noticed it as I pulled into the driveway, which due to the angle of the curb, I have to approach off-angle. The noise happened when the driver's side wheel--which went up last because I was turning right--went up the curb. I also noticed it when I pulled into the garage, which has a couple "steps" up to it because the driveway slab has sunk a little to be lower than the lip of the garage's slab.

[— kung fu jesus —]

That's a tough one with basic coilovers like those, the noise you describe isn't uncommon.

[—Bryan—]

That's a tough one with basic coilovers like those, the noise you describe isn't uncommon.

Yeah...need to take some time to get the car in the air again.

[— kung fu jesus —]

Tender springs can help keep the main springs seated under full droop.

[—Bryan—]

Tender springs can help keep the main springs seated under full droop.

If that's the problem, is it really worth addressing?

[— kung fu jesus —]

That’s your decision.

[—Bryan—]

That’s your decision.

Agreed. I just meant that noise is one thing, but something being damaged is another. At this point, I don't know the difference because I'm still getting used to all the new setup while at the same time not being entirely sure everything's put together completely.

[— kung fu jesus —]

It's going to be alright. These things are normal. Maybe find someone local to you familiar with modifications and take them for a ride, then let them drive you.

[—Bryan—]

It's going to be alright. These things are normal. Maybe find someone local to you familiar with modifications and take them for a ride, then let them drive you.

Yeah...sorry to be all freaky freaking out. Sucks to take the whole front end of the car apart, do all the work, then have it not feel buttoned up.

[— kung fu jesus —]

No worries, we've all been there.

[—Bryan—]

Drove into work. Observed that the sound only happens when the wheel goes into droop and gets unloaded. Otherwise, normal creaks and rattles.

Need to dump these motor mounts. Car is quiet outside, but resonates pretty badly (for a daily driver) inside.

[TNRooster3]

I'm sure you'll get it sorted, but sorry you have to deal with it. If I haven't said it, I'm really glad you are putting the TICK back together.

[—Bryan—]

Me, too. Thankfully haven't yet hit the point where my wife says "get rid of it...too much stress and money".

Also trying to hunt down the source of this weird little whistle sound when the engine revs. Almost sounds like what happens when you leave the Aux on but the plug isn't properly grounded. You get this little almost electronic whistle noise that changes pitch with engine revs.