Suspension specialists Lancashire (diagnose problem)

[Paul2129]

Hi guys, I’ve got a long running suspension noise that I’d like to get diagnosed, we’ve done some work to lower the car and also changed sway bars, now I have clicking when steering at slow speeds and nocking (particularly when cold) from both sides

The springs were replaced with a different brand and the issue persists

Could be sway bar, bushings, something loose etc

Wondered if someone can recommend a really good suspension specialist who would be willing to methodically work through possible solutions ?

(I’m in Blackpool, so the closer, the better, as it might take multiple visits)

Thank you

[E-bmw]

Any competent spanner monkey should be able to diagnose that, you certainly shouldn't need a specialist.

[Paul2129]

Agreed, but there's no visible issue, and it would appear that all is as it should be. I guess we'll have a double check that everything is torqued up properly, and we'll swap out the sway bar for the original, its an easy thing to eliminate, I've had them creak in the past.
I've just had both front wheels off, cleaned everything, it was pretty clean anyway, the car has 27,000 mainly motorway miles on it, and its been cleaned and treated previously a couple of times. I've had the creaking issue, noticed when turning slowly, for a while, but since the very cold weather theres a noticeable 'clonk', seem to be able to cause it over bumps on either wheel, and I guess the sway bar is connected to both, so a likely possibility for being loose or otherwise bad design.
We've had two brands of springs, the latter are H&R, the issue started precisely after the car was lowered (about 30mm). Theres no doubt that we've inadvertently caused the problem, we've eliminated the springs, we can eliminate the sway bar, other than that, it was suggested that it could be the drop links which are under more pressure now the suspension is in a different geometry, however, we're still so close that the front wheels needed no alignment change. I have adjustable drop links, so we could drown them on as a last ditched attempt.
A surprisingly frustrating issue

Paul

[E-bmw]

I am sorry, but that is REALLY difficult to read, do you want to write that again and read it back to your self as your tale is all over the place.

About the only thing that I can actually pick out of it is that the issue started when you did the lowering. That being the case, that is where you need to start.

[Paul2129]

Just read it back, makes more sense than some posts

Not really looking for a solution here, just a recommend of a garage with a good reputation who might be keen enough to work carefully on diagnosing the cause

[littleredrooster]

If you talk to a UK garage about 'sway bars' they may want an interpretation.

Here, we call them 'anti-roll bars'. I absolutely hate all these sweeping Americanisms taking over.

On a technical level, I wonder if your mods have made the steering geometry 'non-Ackerman' and you now have the steering judder which comes with it.

[Paul2129]

interesting re Ackerman, but I did visit a four wheel alignment place after the mods, very little adjustment was needed, so I think we're good in that respect.

Thanks for the replies

[GreenV8S]

Paul2129 said:

interesting re Ackerman, but I did visit a four wheel alignment place after the mods, very little adjustment was needed, so I think we're good in that respect.

Thanks for the replies

An ordinary alignment check does not include any measurement of Ackerman. And since it's not adjustable without chopping and welding the suspension, it would be pointless to do so. Just because the static geometry readings are OK does not mean your suspension and steering is designed properly. I wouldn't expect small changes to the ride height to make much difference to the Ackerman behaviour on a well designed setup, but an ordinary alignment check isn't telling you anything about that.