Pinging/Creaking Noise from Rear Susp Solved - Coil rub, what's normal

[RB80 Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close RB80]

Howdy all,
It's been 6mths since bilsteins and dobinsons were DIY installed. When I installed them I used a thin coating of grease on the surfaces that touched anything, but from early on the rears made an odd twang every now and then, usually at very low speed. The springs are c59-327.

I've been over all the nuts a few times and then some but it has persisted if not getting worse. So I finally had a good look yesterday and found these wear marks on the coils and resultant wear on the seat where the spring rests. I smoothed the wear points on the springs and lubed them right up and now there is silence.

However the wear is bit annoying as to me that indicates the spring isn't concentric, and possibly an odd shape in parts that has led to wear hot spots. Anybody care to to suggest what's normal and what's not? Also, the tail of the coil's upper end doesn't seem to be concentric and seems to stick out which has probably contributed to the noises it makes (no doubt equal wear on the car near where the cone spacers sits). Cheers all,

Rich

[Dobbo Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close Dobbo]

I've been experiencing the same noise with my Bilstein/Dobinson set up. Thought it was coming from the front, but now that I've seen your post, I'll be having a look under the rear at the weekend.
Thanks for the heads up.

[Whitey Shockie Maker of the Month Award Find all posts View Profile Close Whitey]

Hey all,

Quite common to see the flat ground tail sticking out on rear Dobinsons coils, just file it back otherwise it'll rub on the side of the top bucket and won't seat properly.

Possibly the lower rubbing is caused by the top not seating properly.

Best

Mark

[RB80 Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close RB80]

Thanks Mark, was hoping you'd chime in. I'd be surprised if it impeded correct seating, but I'll check orientation of rub marks when I next take LHS apart as well.

I only filed down one side as a) I could hear the pinging/creaking from RHS only and b) I had to reassemble the car ASAP to urgently drive the wife to have our 2nd child. No stress!

[Whitey Shockie Maker of the Month Award Find all posts View Profile Close Whitey]

Thanks Mark, was hoping you'd chime in. I'd be surprised if it impeded correct seating, but I'll check orientation of rub marks when I next take LHS apart as well.

I only filed down one side as a) I could hear the pinging/creaking from RHS only and b) I had to reassemble the car ASAP to urgently drive the wife to have our 2nd child. No stress!

Crickey!

Could have been a Prado baby! Hope it all worked out ok!?

The bit of the flat ground tail that sticks out can definitely cause the coil to not seat properly in the top bucket, had the same problem with my 487's.

It's a pretty tight squeeze into the top bucket!

Best

Mark