1994 850 suspension noise even after mount change

daversm · Post by **daversm** » 17 Sep 2014, 17:48

So I recently changed the rear struts and put new mounts . Before changing the struts there was a noise which I thought was due to bad strut mounts. But even after new mounts Im still getting the noise. I looked around the forum a bit and there was mention of bad spring seating that could cause a sound.

Could a bad rear spring spacer cause this noise?
http://dyw03owr7vs3n.cloudfront.net/pub ... 1288184085

The noise seems to be coming from the rear left side of the car.

I recorded the sound which can be found at the link below:

Here are some pictures of the rear left spring.

Post by **Ozark Lee** » 17 Sep 2014, 19:39

Take a look at the end links on the trailing arms. The bump stops can get noisy but that is usually after they fall off and rattle around inside the spring. From your picture that doesn't look to be the case.

...Lee

daversm · Post by **daversm** » 17 Sep 2014, 21:44

ok Ill give them a look tomorrow..I really hope its not that..that seems like a daunting task.

Daver

Post by **erikv11** » 17 Sep 2014, 23:08

I agree with Lee because the pics don't show me any major flaws in the spring setup, but I also hear you that the sound clip makes me think of the rear spring mount.

If the trailing arm inspection doesn't turn up anything obvious, consider this:

It is not so difficult to remove the spring and its mount and give things a look over. Basically
- unscrew that retainer on the bottom while the spring is still under tension
- jack up the car and support it on both sides, release the bottom of the shock while supporting the lower spring mount (you've just done that part so may be pretty straightforward)
- note you do not have to do anything else with the shock, just let it hang there
- let both springs go to full drop, let the suspension hang freely
- now the coil spring just pops right out, pry gently if you can't just pull it out

It will be super easy given that you just replaced the shocks.

Also are you sure the upper shock mounts are tightened down properly, both bolts each mount? Had to ask ...

daversm · Post by **daversm** » 18 Sep 2014, 17:32

So I gave the end links a visual inspection, I'm really not sure what I should be looking at but I didn't see anything that suggested to me bad end links. I attached some pictures, not sure if that will help, I couldn't get a good view.

I guess I should now look at the spring mount/spacer.

Daver

Post by **erikv11** » 18 Sep 2014, 17:37

Those look old but not overly compromised, there are plenty on the road that are worse looking but asymptomatic.

Can you get someone to bounce it for you while you are under the car looking at things with a flashlight in hand? You should be able to tell where the squeak is coming from, it is pretty loud.

daversm · Post by **daversm** » 18 Sep 2014, 17:49

Thats what I was thinking too, I will try that before taking the spring out.

Post by **erikv11** » 18 Sep 2014, 18:32

It would be great if you can back the rear wheels onto car ramps. Then there is room to get under there and have a good look.

daversm · Post by **daversm** » 19 Sep 2014, 21:01

The noise seems to be the loudest when I put my ear next the rear left wheel as someone else is bouncing on the car. Unfortunately my socket set wasn't deep enough to get the lower spring bolt out so I'm going to have to get a deep set and try again. To my ear it seems as though the noise is coming from the spring.

Daver

Post by **erikv11** » 20 Sep 2014, 00:45

Interesting. Sometimes the spring rubs against whatever is at the side of the car there. When that happens you can rotate the spring just a bit to reposition the coils. Or maybe the top spring mount is shot.