[s-cars] Creaking Bilstein/Eibach/2Bennett set-up

[jpb3]

I have the 2B camber plates with Koni's and have similar issues.  Initially
upon installation I hard a hard metallic "crack" or "slap" with the left
spherical bearing and 2B sent me a replacement which solved the issue.  My
noise was when I would drive over certain bumps and especially "ripples" in
the pavement.  I had to call 2B numerous times before a replacement was
sent, finally reaching one of the owners who apologized the problem had
occurred and it took that long to resolve but he made it right.

Soon after I replaced the bearing all was well for about a month and then
the other side started to develop the same issue, although not nearly as
bad.  I have lived with it so far but am not impressed that this seems to be
a re-occurring issue with these camber plates.  With the amount of money
spent on them I expect them to work quietly and flawlessly.  I have not
attempted to score another replacement but may if the noise progresses.
It's not cool when you have people in the car and the suspension is
knocking, the sound is not good.

One thing I have noticed is the knock severity is/was temperature related.
When it is hot outside..ie summer..the sound was worse then when it's cold.
I attribute this to the tolerance between the steel bearing and the aluminum
collar or holder that surrounds it.  I think that when the heat makes the
metals expand there is a difference between the expansion of the aluminum
and steel which causes the tolerance to change....this could be completely
off base but it's just a thought.

I too initially thought that the shaft of the strut was "slapping" around
the steel bushing which inserts into the bearing.  The two bushings you
place over the strut had different fits, the one that didn't knock
originally had to be persuaded a bit to fit onto the strut shaft whereas the
problem side the bushing simply plopped onto the strut shaft without any
friction.  The fit was still tight but not quite as tight as the other one.
However when 2B sent me the replacement bearing they did not include a new
bushing so I reused it and the noise went away so I don't think that was the
issue.

I think the knock stems from some higher than ideal manufacturing tolerances
between the bearing and the collar.  Who knows, but it is frustrating when
you spend that much moola on a trick piece of kit and it sounds like that.
Like I said, mine still does it, but not nearly as bad as it did before they
sent me a replacement, and it's on the other side with the "original"
bearing.  I just wished I would have asked for 2 new bearings and replaced
them both.  I have read somewhere, maybe AW, that someone said on 2B website
they guarantee the camber plates for life. or satisfaction guaranteed but I
could not find any language myself on the website to that effect.

If I had the money i think I would sell my whole setup and go after Dave
Stones (?) setup..ala Hap.

I would cal 2B and request a replacement and see if that solves it.  If you
find anything out I would luv to hear.

John B.

On 10/17/06, Steve Voit <stevevoit at comcast.net> wrote:
>
> S-Heads:
>
> I have a metallic-like creak or crack when I initiate movement from rest,
> or
> turn the wheel such as to back out of a parking spot.  <Eibach/Bilstein/2B
> camber plates, 95 S6 70k miles, well maintained suspension, no steering
> rack
> attachment cracks>
>
> I seem to have narrowed the noise to the camber plates as follows: I can
> EXACTLY duplicate the noise by rotating the strut shaft via a hex wrench
> on
> the top of the strut > turning this turns the shaft itself as well as the
> spherical bearing (heim joint) on the camber plate.  The nature of the
> noise
> is slip-stick: when it breaks loose it does so with a metallic 'crack' but
> is quiet with further rotation until it comes to rest and is subsequently
> 'broken free' again.  You wouldn't expect this kind of noise from rotating
> a
> shaft, but it's true.  It is 100% repeatable, and does not depend on the
> amount of rotation.  My theory is that initiating movement of the vehicle,
> whether with the throttle or steering input, causes micro rotation of the
> strut shaft/heim joint assy thereby creating this noise.  Significantly,
> the
> installation was quiet at first installation.
>
>
>
> (I suppose it could also be a slip/stick noise in the shock itself between
> case and shaft, which I have not isolated, but which my mechanic suggests
> can be an issue w/ Bilsteins.  I've also received an email from a lister
> that suggests improper washer thickness on top of the spherical bearing
> can
> cause 'rattling', but this does not feel right to me and all looks tight.
> I've searched the web to see if there is generic information on heim joint
> noise, but have not come up with anything helpful)
>
>
>
> How can I quiet this noise?   Any 2Bennett users out there?
>
>
>
> Suggestions welcomed!
>
> Steve
>
> S6 Seattle
>
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