[s-cars] Light knock in front suspension

[Eric's E-Mail]

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My alignement/suspension expert reminded me of something I had read on a Co=
rrado post one time.  Said to make certain that the strut insert had someth=
ing other than air between itself and the surrounding wall of the Strut Hou=
sing.  He suggested some heavy weight oil (I used Redline Gear Oil I had ar=
ound).  The reason for this is two fold:

1st is to make sure that the heat generated by the strut (Kenitic energy is=
 converted to heat in the case of a strut and brakes) has somewhere to go. =
 With air between the strut and it's housing, the only metal to metal conta=
ct is the top strut fastener, the cap on the housing and the bottom of the =
strut.  As stagnet air is a lowsey heat sink, something must be put in it's=
 place.  Oil is a good heat conductor, and does not freeze the strut in pla=
ce like duct tape or silicon.

2nd is to make sure that if the strut moves at all, it has something in the=
re to keep it from moving too freely.  Oil is much better than air, and may=
 also work as a sound deadener.

In your case though, I'd suggest making certain that the big housing fasten=
er is tight.  If it is, it should not allow the strut insert to move in the=
 housing at all if that is where you think the noise is comming from.

Eric

P=2ES. I've just got done with the first distance drive with the Bilstein/H=
&R combo, and tightening down the Pre-Load bolt on the steering rack.
All I can say is WOWOW!!!!  I've left in the relay for the servotronic so t=
he wife doesn't complain too much, but also found that now I don't mind it =
so much anyway.  The wheel has a VERY positive feel to it now, and I can di=
rectly feel the road now.  Not to mention that the wallowing in the corners=
 is nearly gone!  Very stable at speeds in excess of 3 digits.  Can't wait =
till October when we will be taking to the Pahrump track again.  Not for ra=
cing, just for practicing cornering dynamics.  I know these cars are more i=
ntended for Autobahn distance and not for street courses :-)

Message: 6
Date: Sat, 18 May 2002 14:29:30 -0700 (PDT)
From: Neil Swanson <neilsphoto at yahoo.com>
To: s-car-list at audifans.com
Subject: [s-cars] Light knock in front suspension

Hey all

I know I've seen this question come up several times
before and I don't think I've ever seen the answer.

A light knock, just one on some bumps or compression.

Just today I finally installed the H&Rs and Bilsteins
and did the alignment.  Never had the knock before
today.  Everything is tight.

Am I remembering right that someone had found that the
noise was coming from the Bilstein insert and that a
wrap or two of Duct tape around the insert at the top
when installed killed the noise?  Thought I read that
here.

Also I want to add that I installed the ECS camber
correction kit today also.

-3/4s front camber L+R at stock height.   Still at
-3/4s camber lowered with the ECS kit installed.
Great!!   That is what I'd hoped for.

Not killer track alignment specs but for the 6-8 days
a year this car is tracked I'd rather have street
specs for every other day.

Thoughts on the noise?

Thanks

Neil

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