Front Suspension Clunking...help!

Waterfowler41 · April 20, 2019

Awe man that sucks. So its definitely not coming from the strut mount area? There are a couple threads out where using the factory strut rod bolt stopped the knocking.

Every night I get a little closer... I have grade 8 bolts in there now. I took each bolt out and still heard the noise but fairly confident the knock is coming from the strut. Need an extra set of hands to feel around to see if we can locate the source of the knocking

Waterfowler 41’s Youtube channel: https://www.youtube.com/user/brittmork

Snowcamo · April 20, 2019

Every night I get a little closer... I have grade 8 bolts in there now. I took each bolt out and still heard the noise but fairly confident the knock is coming from the strut. Need an extra set of hands to feel around to see if we can locate the source of the knocking

Waterfowler 41’s Youtube channel: https://www.youtube.com/user/brittmork

This one. Notice how the thread starts deep with in the nut? That has to account for something.

Waterfowler41 · April 20, 2019

This one. Notice how the thread starts deep with in the nut? That has to account for something.

Is that the nut on top of the strut shaft or the 3 mounting nuts from the strut top plate?

Waterfowler 41’s Youtube channel: https://www.youtube.com/user/brittmork

Snowcamo · April 20, 2019

Is that the nut on top of the strut shaft or the 3 mounting nuts from the strut top plate?

Waterfowler 41’s Youtube channel: https://www.youtube.com/user/brittmork

Yes. Most of us toss them. But after looking at it I think it pulls the shaft futhure in to the strut mount for a more secure fit.

Waterfowler41 · April 20, 2019

Yes. Most of us toss them. But after looking at it I think it pulls the shaft futhure in to the strut mount for a more secure fit.

I’ll check my old struts but for some reason I think my eibach has a wider main shaft. Definitely worth trying thought because I’m running out of ideas...

Waterfowler 41’s Youtube channel: https://www.youtube.com/user/brittmork

Snowcamo · April 20, 2019

I’ll check my old struts but for some reason I think my eibach has a wider main shaft

Waterfowler 41’s Youtube channel: https://www.youtube.com/user/brittmork

Main shaft maybe, but bolt holes typically dont change. I wonder if the bolt size is the same.

Waterfowler41 · April 22, 2019

Main shaft maybe, but bolt holes typically dont change. I wonder if the bolt size is the same.

Tried the nut this weekend it was too long BUT I can see some benefits. The base of the nut is wide and fills the top of the strut plate in well where as the nylock nut from eibach is small and leaves some slop.

Not sure if that’s what is causing my issue but might try to find a wider nut to see if it helps.

Waterfowler 41’s Youtube channel: https://www.youtube.com/user/brittmork

Snowcamo · April 23, 2019

Tried the nut this weekend it was too long BUT I can see some benefits. The base of the nut is wide and fills the top of the strut plate in well where as the nylock nut from eibach is small and leaves some slop.

Not sure if that’s what is causing my issue but might try to find a wider nut to see if it helps.

Waterfowler 41’s Youtube channel: https://www.youtube.com/user/brittmork

Well darn that sucks. Add a thick washer to remove the "slop". Gotta get that squared away. It would really suck to hear those struts failed so soon.

Waterfowler41 · April 23, 2019

Well darn that sucks. Add a thick washer to remove the "slop". Gotta get that squared away. It would really suck to hear those struts failed so soon.

Spoke to Eibach yesterday, I’m going to flip flop my struts to see if the sound follows the strut. If it does they things it’s a failed seal if not....then I’m trading my truck in...

Waterfowler 41’s Youtube channel: https://www.youtube.com/user/brittmork

Snowcamo · April 23, 2019

Spoke to Eibach yesterday, I’m going to flip flop my struts to see if the sound follows the strut. If it does they things it’s a failed seal if not....then I’m trading my truck in...

Waterfowler 41’s Youtube channel: https://www.youtube.com/user/brittmork

Well that sucks. If you do. Sell the eibachs[emoji57] still sucks tho man.

Waterfowler41 · April 27, 2019

Swapping struts tonight.... getting very fast at removing all this stuff...

Waterfowler 41’s Youtube channel: https://www.youtube.com/user/brittmork

Snowcamo · April 28, 2019

Swapping struts tonight.... getting very fast at removing all this stuff...

Waterfowler 41’s Youtube channel: https://www.youtube.com/user/brittmork

Yup doesn't take very long once you get the hang of it. Prob could have it dowm to half hour or less.

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Waterfowler41 · April 28, 2019

Welp I think i found the culprit!!!! If you watch my eibach install video I mentioned that I previously had a rough country kit. When i upgraded to the eibach kit I replaced the lower bolts with grade 8 bolts of the same diameter.

While swapping struts today I noticed a lot of slop in the lower bolts once loosened. Before reinstalling the bolts I ran to the hardware store and grabbed new grade 8 bolts a diameter size larger (7/16”). Turns out those fit PERFECTLY through the lower strut mount and the lower control arm.

Even looking at the original bolts I had (3/8” I’m guessing, you can see the zinc coating was worn off right where they passed through the lower control arm.

So in short, my lower bolt diameter was too small because I wasn’t using those stock nut clips!

Pictures below showing the wear marks. Crossing my fingers this was the issue!!! I slipped them into my old struts to illustrate my point.

Waterfowler 41’s Youtube channel: https://www.youtube.com/user/brittmork