martini

If I'm just traveling along in the city, and put on my brakes, there is a clunking coming from the rear, passenger suspension. When I release the brake, it seems to "clunk" back..No, it's not the brakes themselves.

Anyone had any experience with that sort of thing?

dclin

iTrader: (4)

Probably not what your problem is, but when i got my 7 - the original owner replaced the amp in teh Bose Wave with an aftermarket one.

I think he had the ground tied into something to do with the brake lamps, because whenever I stepped on teh brakes, there would be a 'thump' sound. Mistook it for part of the symphony of clunking bushing noises, but went away after I dismantled the horrible 'install'.

And no, I did not do my homework when I bought mine...

REDLINE

Its the suspension bushings. Most FDs will start doing that around now. I have the same problem. Just a slight tap on the brake, anything that disrupts the flow of the cars direction will cause that clunking sound. Mine started off in the passenger rear suspension, now its on both rear sides. Pain in the *** to replace.

martini

damn, and jimlab stopped making the unobtaniums.. :P

Thanks, I figured as much. Just wanted to make sure it wasn't a cracked PPF or something.

Neo

iTrader: (4)

Well, the car is about 8 years old now. I think it would be time to replace the suspension bushings.
That started to happen with mine about 4-5 months ago. It was just a slight thump whenever I backed up or tapping the brakes first thing in the morning. As the car got to operating temp the sound would disappear.

A note about the Unobtanium bushings. If you're going to be driving the car daily (which means everyday in good/bad weather) I think you should be careful with these types of bushings. I installed mine and they were fine for about 2 months. But as the rainy season started the noise that the suspension started to make was unbareable. It creaked, popped, banged. It sounded horrible. At first I refused to believe that it was the bushings. But now after testing the bushings it turns out that it was losing grease. Causing the pins to "clash" against the bushing it self. Making horrible noises.

If you're going to be running the car daily just stick with the OEM bushings. If you have a garage queen then go with the Unobtanium.

Just a friendly warning....

Later,

lenny

isnt there a way to drill the bushings so that you can grease them while they are on the car?

jimlab

Yep.

alwan16

AND???

jimlab

And it can be done. Installation is simple:

1) Buy as many Zerk-style grease fittings as required (try McMaster/Carr... www.mcmaster.com)

2) With the bushings installed and center pin removed, drill through the suspension component to the center of the bushing. Clear the aluminum shavings before drilling into the Nylon, if at all possible.

3) Tap the hole you've just drilled in the aluminum suspension component for the thread pitch of the Zerk fitting.

4) Install the Zerk fitting.

5) Install a plastic cap for the fitting, if purchased. Keeps gunk out.

6) Reinsert the center pin after lubing it as normal, and install the suspension component on the car.

7) Now you can use a grease gun to lubricate the bushing whenever you feel like it while the suspension component is on the car.

8) Drive car, have fun.

It should be noted that of the approximately 100 sets in circulation right now, there have only been three complaints of suspension noise, possibly due to loss of lubrication after the initial installation. One owner had KD Rotary install Zerk fittings as outlined above and now has no noise and of course loves the benefit of the bushings to performance.

Neo, I'm sorry you had trouble with yours. This modification will more than likely resolve any problems you're having with excessive noise.

lenny

thanks for the info!

but does drilling the bushing make it less stable? will it rip or tear along the drilled hole (or if the hole is not smooth). since these are limited production, I would not want to chance ruining my only set.

also, do you recommend doing this before installing the bushings, or waiting until they develop a problem with noise before installing zerk fittings?

jimlab

I recommend doing it before putting them on for the first time. That way if it turns out that they're necessary (due to your climate or driving conditions) then they're already on the car.

You can't "tear" the bushings, you'll see what I mean when yours arrive. They aren't elastic at all, and are extremely dense plastic. They *do* give, somewhat, but not to any degree you could manage or measure with human hands.

The small hole drilled in the bushing body to get lubrication to the center pin will not affect it at all.