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Brakes & Suspension Forum sponsored by The Tire Rack |
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11-03-2017, 06:32 PM | #1 |
Scooby Newbie
Member#: 438650
Join Date: Jan 2016
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Bilstein PSS9 coilover issues on 2005 STI
Just curious to see if anyone has Bilstein PSS9 coilovers? And if so, what are your experiences with them?
I’ve only put about 5k miles on these coilovers. They’re on the softest setting and my car is only lowered about 0.5”. They started making noise about 500 miles ago. The noise/feeling can be described as almost exactly the same as the “rear strut clunk” most people experience with the stock sti suspension. Except in all four corners... Very noticeable during starting/stopping and at slow speeds. It’s very frustrating to say the least, considering I swapped out my stock suspension for these coilovers because the strut clunk was driving me crazy!
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11-03-2017, 11:11 PM | #2 |
Scooby Guru
Member#: 71875
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Montana
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The pss9 uses the same inverted design as the stock struts, which is the reason for the clunking. So a bit of that with the bilsteins is not super surprising. You could try cleaning off the shafts and then spraying them with a light lube.
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11-03-2017, 11:49 PM | #3 |
Scooby Newbie
Member#: 198108
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: Australia
Vehicle:MY98 WRX Blue |
Or the shaft nut (top hat) is loose
I have the PSS9's and there is no knocking noise |
11-04-2017, 02:12 AM | #4 |
Scooby Newbie
Member#: 326146
Join Date: Jul 2012
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If they are clunking after 5,000 miles then there is an issue. Either loose hardware or a defective strut which should be warrantied.
If you bought them used then it is likely the bushes need replacing. This can be done yourself with basic hand tools. |
11-19-2017, 08:23 AM | #5 |
Scooby Newbie
Member#: 438650
Join Date: Jan 2016
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Just checking back to help anyone who might come across this thread.
So after extensive research, the “clunking” noise coming from Bilstein PSS9 coilovers is super common. Literally, every car forum I’ve checked has many threads on this very subject except this forum. Weird... Anyway, there’s two issues going on. The Bilsteins have a faulty design which require a lot of maintenance to keep the clunking/popping noises away. From what I can understand from most other car owners that have had this problem, they need to be taken apart every 5-7k miles or so, cleaned, greased, and reassembled. There’s also some plastic and metal washers that need to be replaced each time. Second issue, is people just install them incorrectly. I say it’s an issue because even reputable shops are putting these things in wrong. I haven’t solved the issue yet because I haven’t had time to take everything apart yet. But, like I said, I’ve been on just about every other car manufacturer forums and everyone is having issues with these. The Porsche guy’s are going nuts! It seems to be affecting them the most. |
07-04-2018, 10:30 PM | #6 |
Scooby Newbie
Member#: 450179
Join Date: Jul 2016
Location: San Francisco, CA
Vehicle:2006 Forester STI AW |
I have the same issue. I think I found the cause while changing my tires from winter to summer. The coilovers doesn’t seem to fit very snug in the top cylinder that extends down in the rears. The fronts are very snug.
https://youtu.be/TXceSSz0quk |
07-04-2018, 10:35 PM | #7 |
Scooby Newbie
Member#: 450179
Join Date: Jul 2016
Location: San Francisco, CA
Vehicle:2006 Forester STI AW |
The coilover top doesn’t fit snug in this piece that extends down.
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07-08-2018, 10:53 PM | #8 |
Scooby Newbie
Member#: 198108
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: Australia
Vehicle:MY98 WRX Blue |
Missing a part?
Top hat should be snug on the damper shaft Shaft nut should eliminate any movement between the top hat and damper shaft I've used both stock top hat and aftermarket (noltec adjustable) with no play / no knocking |
07-09-2018, 02:02 AM | #9 | |
Scooby Specialist
Member#: 29292
Join Date: Nov 2002
Chapter/Region:
SCIC
Location: Orange County CA
Vehicle:2004 WRX wagon silver |
Quote:
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07-16-2018, 10:36 PM | #10 | |
Scooby Newbie
Member#: 450179
Join Date: Jul 2016
Location: San Francisco, CA
Vehicle:2006 Forester STI AW |
Quote:
I believe this is the reason that RCE invented their adapters, which involves cutting off the metal ring perch and replacing it. http://www.racecompengineering.com/i...-n-mounts.html |
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07-23-2018, 04:16 AM | #11 |
Scooby Newbie
Member#: 198108
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: Australia
Vehicle:MY98 WRX Blue |
Cut that off with a air saw or hacksaw the spring seat should sit flush with the top hat (probably what RCE have done)
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09-04-2018, 02:53 PM | #12 |
Scooby Newbie
Member#: 350689
Join Date: Mar 2013
Chapter/Region:
NESIC
Location: Foxboro, MA
Vehicle:05 STi CGM |
Just went from PSS to RCE tarmac 2s on my 05 and had to cut off the bottom section of the rear mount to work with the tarmacs but not the opposite for the bilsteins. Tophat stayed intact when i was running the bilsteins. i had the dreaded clunk in the rear and then switched so i cant confirm where the clunk issue was, but based on research and other people that have chimed in it seems like an internal bushing issue inside the strut tube since it is the inverted stock style strut
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07-16-2019, 11:52 AM | #13 | |
Scooby Newbie
Member#: 450179
Join Date: Jul 2016
Location: San Francisco, CA
Vehicle:2006 Forester STI AW |
Quote:
It’s odd. Why do the front bilstein’s not clunk? It’s only the rear for me. |
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