KrayzieFox

Ok so I just installed my Tokico Illuminas about a month ago, and I think one of them might be blown already. The driver side rear strut squeaks a lot which makes me think that it's riding on the bump stop and may be blown. I don't know what else could be causing the constant noise tho .. but any suggestons would be appreciated.

Also, is there any failproof way to check if the strut is blown? It makes no sense why it would be cuz I bought them all new and haven't even had them installed for two months yet!! The car's only lowered 1.5" and I don't recall hitting any huge potholes or anything either .. the bump stops are installed properly (MSP bumpstops) as well so I'm stumped. Is there anything else back there that could be causing a rubber sounding sqeak?

JoshP5

If you were riding on an MSP bumpstop, that corner would be riding really low.

Check for oil leaking from the strut or oil spray inside the wheel housing--those are indicators of blowout. Suspension dynamics should be markedly different at that corner, too.

I'd be surprised if such a new strut failed. Isn't it more likely the squeak is from a bushing somewhere?

KrayzieFox

Does seem likely to me. It sounds like it's coming from the middle/top of the strut assembly as opposed to down below it. No evidence of blowout based on leakage either so that's good news.

What do you mean about suspension dynamics tho?

JoshP5

Damping characteristics of blown struts are different; you might get more pronounced bounce, for example.

After liquid_ag and I installed my springs/struts, I got a "squishy" sound coming from the right rear strut tower. Turned out we forgot to torque the center nut down all the way. Make sure you're tight back there.

J-Protege

A blown strut may also look lower. Is your back end un-even or un-level when you look at it from the tail?

KrayzieFox

^ I did check that out in extreme detail J and neither sits lower than the other.

^^ Josh that very well could be it man!! I remember having a helluva time with that center nut cuz the piston kept spinning around, and the strut specifically instructed NOT to use an impact gun on it. I'll have to check that when I get some free time next week. Thanks man!!

J-Protege

If neither side is lower, it's unlikely to be a blow out, because if it was the gas shock would be partially or fully compressed, and you'd see an unlevel rear bumper.

It's most likely something loose, like Josh said. Could it be swaybar bushings or endlinks acting up, or does it not sound like that?

KrayzieFox

I'm almost 100% positive it's not anything near the bottom of the strut. It sounds like it's coming from the top .. maybe the upper spring seat, bumpstop, etc.

I definitely need to check that center nut is tight and report back.

_Kansei_

To stop the piston from spinning is that weird washer that should have a D-shaped cutout that only slides over the piston pointing in one direction. The D-shape could easily be worn out though, happened on mine. The part is cheap from the dealer though. You just gotta really clamp down on that washer (a pipe wrench works WONDERS) as you tighten the nut down.

Good luck!

JoshP5

Channel locks are also sufficient.

So why would a blown strut make the car sit lower? Struts do nothing to support the weight of the car, they just damp the motion of the suspension. It seems the only thing that'll make the car sag is worn springs, which do support the weight.

KrayzieFox

Let's just go ahead and stop all this blown strut talk ok guys? I really don't want that to be the case here!! Hopefully that damn piston nut is what's causing it, so I'll check into that first and report back as soon as I can.

JoshP5

Fair enough.

KrayzieFox

Well .. it seems I've shed some new light on this issue here. I took apart all the plastic trim, seat belt stuff, blah blah blah .. and checked the top of the strut to make sure none of the nuts were coming loose. And I found nothing. Everything is fine up there.

HOWEVER, I did find out something else that I think might be the culprit causing all the noise. As I was looking at my driveway I noticed that it slopes down to the right a tiny bit, so that didn't make sense why both sides would have an equal drop when I measured it a few days ago. So I drove around looking for some nice even ground (mainly parking lots) and did some re-evaluating of the drop.

Yep .. you guessed it. The rear driver side sits about 1/2 inch lower than the passenger side, hence why the bump stops are constantly being utilized!! I took some pics to show the difference and that side is clearly lower than the other (please excuse the rusty chipping fender lip .. I'm working on fixing that soon ). First two pics are the passenger side (good side) and second two pics are the driver side (bad squeaky side). How the hell did that happen? I have no clue, but I think I need new springs instead. At least it's not the struts .. that's all I have to say.

_Kansei_

half an inch lower? um what.. weird

what springs do you have?

KrayzieFox

Oh yea forgot to mention that.

I've had the Falken Factory Tuned springs installed for almost two years now. They're the $100 blue springs from the other forum that no one really knows anything about, but were really good springs in my opinion while they lasted. Supposed to offer a 1.5" drop all around but that has obviously changed recently and is more like 1.5" all around EXCEPT the rear driver side which has about a 2.0" drop instead