Gville350

iTrader: (10)

So just out of the blue this morning this noise appeared when hitting anything in the road (bumps, holes, uneven road surfaces). Immediately thought something in the suspension broke because I've always been under the impression shocks gradually go out...NOT all of a sudden. Anyhow, the car drives fine, it just has a horrible "loose metal on metal" noise during max shock compression on the driver's rear coilover. Came home tonight and immediately tore into the trunk area. Came across a slightly loose spare tire "tie down"; tightened it up hoping that was it. It wasn't. Searched for anything loose rolling around in the trunk...nothing. Removed the trunk carpet and tested the three mount nuts; all tight. Proceeded to remove the wheel and check out everything on in there. EVERYTHING is tight as I left it. Removed the sway bar end link to examine it, it's fine. I then unscrewed the two perches holding the spring up down really low to examine the spring itself. It's not cracked or broken. Re-set the preset on the coilover body and tightened it all back up. The noise is still there. By the way, definitely no leaks coming from the shock either.

So I'm left wondering, is it the shock itself or maybe even the pillowball mount making this noise? I made this quick video; starting a 8 seconds in you can clearing hear the bonk-bonk-bonk noise. I replicated this noise by "jumping" down on the hard plastic trunk liner surround piece with my 190lb ***. LOL!

Oh, and I check the exhaust and everything under there for any metal-to-metal contact noises...nothing.

Thoughts/opinions?

Gville350

iTrader: (10)

Purchased a replacement rear shock from FIGs today. Hoping this cures the issue.

VTsuckah

iTrader: (1)

Shocks can fail immediately due to something like hitting a nasty pot hole that blows the seal. However, seeing that you do not see any seepage, I'm not quite convinced that it's the shock. The mount count be the issue.

Gville350

iTrader: (10)

^Thing is, I drove home from work the night before with ZERO noise and no odds feeling in the rearend. The car is sitting outside right now, and overnight it did get near freezing. Then as soon as I drive over the first manhole cover in the street (level with the road mind you), I heard the noise. Definitely an immediate failure of some sort.

I guess when the new shock comes I'll have the whole thing out, so I'll be able to diagnosis it better.

rizzy

iTrader: (7)

I had this same noise in my previous is250 w/ BCs. I contacted BC and sent them a very similar video. They ended up sending me a replacement shock, but I sold the coils before I installed the new shock.

Post up your results once you get the replacement shock installed because I'm sure you're not the only one that has/will experience this.

flektone

iTrader: (1)

Been having an issue with mine for the past two years that I never addressed. Except yours sounds more like a knocking sound. Im getting a creeking, rumbling, squishy sound. Only hear it at low speeds when pulling into and out of parking spots. I dont hear it while driving or even when I shake that end of the car. Did you buy a new coilover or just the replacement shock?

Gville350

iTrader: (10)

^Just the replacement shock. Unfortunately I believe FIGs has been out of the office all week because all I received from my order a week ago is a order #; still no shipping info. Blah!

Gville350

iTrader: (10)

Received my shock at 11am today, and had it installed by 2pm. Definitely a blown shock; pushed the push rod all of the way into the shock, and it just stayed there. It was definitely leaking a minor bit of fluid too, which ended up on the adjustment **** underneath the BC extender. Didn't see the fluid the first time due to not removing the extender. No fluid running down the shock body itself.

All is well with my baby once again. YAY!

VTsuckah

iTrader: (1)

Glad it was something simple. Curious, how many miles were on the coilovers?

Gville350

iTrader: (10)

^Yeah, me too. Was hoping it wasn't the pillowball mount itself. The mount is still noise-free and still very "tight".

Uhm, guessing ~60k miles. So to those that think the BCRs are a second-rate product...HA!

rizzy

iTrader: (7)

Glad you got it worked out and it was as easy as replacing the shock.

Gville350

iTrader: (10)

Yep, just second-guessing if I should have went ahead and did both rears at the same time. My thought was why spend more $$ on a setup that I want to upgrade to a higher spring rate down the road. I'll cross my fingers that everything holds up until then. Currently at a 12k/8k daily driver-friendly setup, but would much rather prefer a 14k/12k setup.