New B8's Fitted - Clunky Rear End

[Alfa156Melb 9]

G'day Smaky,

 

I had the B8's fitted last Friday whilst my first impression isn't very good, the car holds the road as if its on steroids. It bloody uncomfortable though,.

 

There's now a clunk coming from the rear pax wheel - its not a droplink as its brand new. Its especially loud when the wheels unloaded such as going around a left hand corner.

 

So this morning i notice that the car was raised a little on the left... 5mm difference.

 

So I took the wheel off and found this:

 

 

 

As you can see, the spring isnt seated properly.. So that would be why its sitting high, but would that cause a knocking noise?

Edited February 2, 2013 by Alfa156Melb

[smiffy 99]

I think I read somewhere that your supposed to use the old nut or something on the rears or else it knocks

[Alfa156Melb 9]

Hmm actually, i remember reading that too now..

 

Ok thanks

 

 

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[smiffy 99]

No worries my Australlian friend

[Alfa156Melb 9]

Lucky i kept the old dampers, just cant remember if the nuts are on them or not..

 

When i get home ill check..

 

 

 

 

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[smiffy 99]

Keep it real

[Alfa156Melb 9]

Hmmm where's smaky?

 

 

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[Smaky 73]

That needs taking out again and fitting properly

[Alfa156Melb 9]

I know! my question was, would that cause a rubbery, dull ( but loud) clunk?

 

 

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Edited February 3, 2013 by Alfa156Melb

[Smaky 73]

Exactly the poorly fitted springs you have there.

[Alfa156Melb 9]

OK I think.. the cars booked back in at the genius mechanic to fix his work on Wednesday.

[Smaky 73]

What he has done btw is probaby built the shock up correctly, slotted it into the arch, then fitted the plate and nut, THEN spun the shock to line up with the hub (that is where he went wrong).

 

Always introduce the shock at the angle it is going to stay in, I prefer to fit the upper hub bolt first so that it can't spin, then lift it into place.

[Alfa156Melb 9]

Well, they fixed it today - and i had it realigned too...

 

I'd say its settled a fair bit too..

 

The outcome is.. The car is brilliant.

 

Happy days

[Smaky 73]

Sometimes garages rush to get things done too quickly, ignoring the simple elements of the task and endinding up wasting everyones time, this appears to be one of those occasions.

[Alfa156Melb 9]

They do, but this is 3 times in a row now.

 

For years they've been great to me, but as with the way of the world they've needed to expand and I've noticed that on all the last 3 occasions their 'staff' or apprentices have done the botchy work.

 

So i think ill do more work on the car myself and find another specialist for the complex stuff.

 

 

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[Smaky 73]

If that is the case then their supervisors need a kick up the arse, it's not acceptable and with suspension if there is an issue it can become fatal, especially where ill fitted springs are concerned.

[Alfa156Melb 9]

I wondered whether my spring was dangerous, I was more concerned though that it would damage something being like that.... but luckily it didn't.

 

When I next swing by their shop I'll have a chat to them.. It's a shame because, in a round about way my family has been using them for about 40 years. When our mechanic merged with another specialist (who were originally my mechanics apprentices many years ago), of course i just continued going to the new business...

 

My dad used to have this guy look after his Maserati's in the late 60's.. and he even occasionally did some work on a vintage four and half litre Invicta amongst other things. Although we did most of the work ourselves on the old cars.

 

We have a long, long history.