So I took my 07 Mustang GT to it's first autocross a couple weeks ago and I now have suspension noises. My suspension mods are as follows - Eibach Pro-Kit and Tokico D-Spec. Pretty simple and straight forward. I drove a good 4,000 miles prior with these mods with no noises.

From the front I get a pop or clunk noise when turning a tight full lock or exiting and entering driveways with the wheels turned. As for the back I get a thump noise on severe bumps - almost like a noisy panhard bar. I have yet to install my BMR so it is also stock right now.

This concerns me that 8 .8 mile runs on an autocross seem to already be wearing on my car - does not seem very durable. BUT, maybe there is a simple answer, so please let the advise begin...

 

Sounds like your strut bearings are toast. There was a TSB for the 2005's which I had to take care of with mine. You might want to get them checked. As for the rear......??????

 

Check the swaybar end links where they mount to the strut. Mine loosened up and did the same thing

 

He does not have factory shocks so the TSB does not apply.

I would get the the car up in the air, wheels hanging free and check every suspension fastener for tightness.

If you just bounce the rear or the front do you get any clunks?

top of rear shocks tight?

strut to strut bearing tight?

strut to front hub tight?

swaybars and linkage.

front wheel bearings not sloppy loose?

All the lug nuts tight?

An autocross should not hurt your car unless you went sideways across a curb.

 

Thanks, I will check all these things this weekend. As for bouncing the car - no noises. I think the suspension up front needs to extend in order for the noise to happen.

 

To me, not hearing it, I would have to agree with checking every fastener, especially the sway bar end links.

 

my thinking


mine came loose after a track day

 

The bearings are a separate part from the struts and are reused with aftermarket struts up front, so this could be the problem and should be covered under the TSB.

 

With the cars weight on the suspension check to see how much, if any clearance you have before the suspension hits the stops. I lowered mine and it was basically resting on the front stops.

 

With your description of when the popping occurs, it tells me your upper strut mounts have failed. We carry replacements that also give you camber adjustment which will help with setup for your autocrosses.

You can check them out here: http://www.steeda.com/products/heavy...nts_street.php

 

Even though he has different shocks, he STILL has strut bearings. So yeah, the TSB still applies.

 

I think this might help...


NHTSA Recall Campaign Number: 06E089000
Component: SUSPENSION:FRONT
Details: CERTAIN AFTERMARKET EIBACH BRANDED FRONT STRUTS ONLY, PART NO. 35101.8001, AND EIBACH BRANDED FRONT STRUTS AS SUSPENSION KITS, PART NOS. 35101.840, 35101.680, 35101.780, 35100.680, 35100.780, 4.10135.680, AND 4.10035.780, SOLD FOR USE ON 2005 THROUGH 2007 FORD MUSTANG VEHICLES. THE FRONT ANTI ROLL BAR ATTACHMENT BRACKET ON THE FRONT STRUT CAN SEPARATE FROM THE STRUT HOUSING DUE TO INCONSISTENT WELDING. THIS COULD RESULT IN A CLUNKING NOISE AND OR POOR HANDLING IN EXTREME OR EMERGENCY MANEUVERS.

Consequence: IF THE BROKEN BRACKET CONTACTS THE TIRE, SIDEWALL DAMAGE CAN OCCUR, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Corrective Action: EIBACH WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER TO PROVIDE NEW STRUTS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN ON DECEMBER 1, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT EIBACH AT 951-256-8300.
Units Potentially Affected: 400 Recall Initiated By: MFR
Date added to NHTSA datbase: 10/27/2006

 

replacements if you didn't get them swapped out under warrenty are 15.00/ea at the dealer...

or you can toss out 300.00 for the steeda ones.

 

I'm running the H&R coil over kit and i've noticed several times I've had to retighten the rear sway bar attachment point. My wheel bearings also sound fried already.

 

And that's the only real solution. Those stock strut bearing assemblies DO NOT hold up with lowered suspensions. I'm on my third set now and have given up until I have the stones to pay $300.00 for the CNC machined ones from Steeda. BTW the stock strut bearing caps are made out of composite material aka... plastic