Hey guys, so I have a popping noise coming from the back half of my car from what it sounds like. Its driving me crazy because I can't duplicate it when its on jack stands.

It only occurs when I am going over a speed bump one wheel at a time as the front wheels go over it, or when I am going angled up a driveway.

I disconnected the rear sway bar end links and it still makes the noise. I got under there and tightened everything I could find (nothing was really loose).

I have spc toe bolts, the only thing I can think is that they are somehow moving over bumps even though they are torqued down nice and tight. I also have both gt-spec braces, and a stillen rear strut bar (I drive a g35)... but they are tight as well.

Does anyone use the spc toe bolts with the gt-spec brace? I couldn't use the washer when I installed because it look as if it would not allow for the nut to contact enough threads... maybe that is effecting it?

My subframe and other suspension bushings look OK from what I can see.

Any input appreciated, thanks.

-Aaron

 

When going over speed bumps, does it happen on the side being unloaded? Or the side being compressed?

What work have you recently done to the car?

For me, I had recently installed my coil overs, and had the popping on the unloaded side while coming out of driveways angled and over speed bumps. I had taken out the rear rubber spring mount, and the rear spring when unloaded was moving slightly at the top, hitting the spring clips that hold the spring mount in place. That created a very loud "pop".

I did the spring mount mod (cut off the top part of the spring mount) and reinstalled, no more noise.

Dunno if that applies to your situation or not.

 

Hmmm, it seems that it happens mainly when the passenger rear is unloaded. I installed coilovers, SPL swaybar endlinks, poly swaybar bushings and a rear strut bar about 6-8 months ago, but the problem didn't start until a few months ago. Are you saying that when you installed your coil overs you didn't use the spring mount that the spring sits on?

I am starting to worry its the SPC toe bolts moving around in the slot somehow.... I don't know how I could verify it though.

 

Is there any way that poly swaybar bushings could make a popping noise if not lubed enough? I rotated the swaybar by hand and its moves up and down smoothly/freely, it just requires like 25+ pounds of force to move it. I would assume it would be a squeek noise more than a popping.

 

Correct... am now.

Try jacking car up, put it on jack stands, then use jack to raise one wheel. I like to put my floor jack pad under the spring bucket for this. Could also try that on ground at static ride height. Maybe you could replicate that way.

 

Yea tried that already, no dice. Good idea though. I'm going to put the washers that came with the gt-spec rear brace in and see if it does anything. Maybe the eccentric bolt is somehow moving...