I have a friend with a 98SE which had eibach springs installed along with Koni's about 3months ago. He now gets a clunk when pulling away from a curb and turning. One thing that we thing may be wrong is the springs were installed upside-down with the part# and eibach also upside-down. My question is what kind of bad things can happen from this situation?

We have checked the front insert bolt and it is very tight... we also checked all of the top bolts and they are also tight... the sound just started about 2 weeks ago and is getting more pronounced with time...

 

Have you read this thread? There's some excellent information regarding noise issues with lowering springs.

http://forums.maxima.org/showthread.php?threadid=72678

 

here is your problem..

http://forums.maxima.org/showthread....ighlight=Strut

 

Before jumping to conclusions about metal against metal noise, check to make sure the spring is properly seated on the strut. This is easily done by removing the wheel and looking at the lower strut mount and make sure the spring end follows the indentation on the mount.

Also, a clunk noise might be the result of a bolt sticking out from the body of the car rubbing on the spring. That was what happened to me. I removed the bolt (forgot what it was holding onto), added a washer, and put it back in. No more rubbing. If you get a clunk noise while turning the steering wheel, it's the strut bearings. If you do the spring wire wrap, you might as well replace the strut bearings as well.

Also, you need to check the torque of the mounting bolts. Make sure they are torqued to specs, not just "tight", since tight generally means a firm tug or push, which is about 40 lb ft. The lower suspension bolts require 80-100 lb ft, the strut mounting bolts (3) require 29-40 lb ft, and the center strut bolt requires around 50 lb ft.

 

Thank you for all the info... I had been following the threads you all listed already but we are taking his in next week to my friends shop to look them over. I will be checking all of the items above for problems. Also I jacked the back of the car up and looked at the rear springs and the one on the drivers side looked like it was off the mount at the top... and the black rubber ring above the spring at the top was kind of bulging out nearest to the tire side

But I am still wondering what the side effects are of having the springs mounted upside-down.

Also do all four struts have bearings? and how do I know if they are bad?


Anyway thanx again for some great info!


That is why I love you guys.

 

I'd replace the ring at this point. Might be cut if it's bulging out. If one is shot chances are the other side isn't in good shape either. I would replace them both.
Don't wait to find out, just fix it. That alone could be the cause of your noise.
No only the front have bearings. The front struts rotate as you turn your steering wheel. The rear doesn't move. They don't go bad per say, they get dirt and sand in them. Which in turn make a sort of crunching sound when you turn your steering wheel back and forth. You can actually pry them apart, clean and regrease them. It usually works. New ones are about 20 bucks from Nissan.
Your welcome!

 

I have the same shock/spring combo too. Yep its the front strut bearings. My clunking only happens when I'm turning left on a bumpy intersection and its from my front right strut.

 

check my link above

 

I agree with this this tends to be the most comon thing.

 

I had this problem twice pop your hood and check the nut that holds the spring together it might have came loose you ll get a clunk when you come off the sidewalk. Use a bit of silicone to secure it that was my last problem. The first problem that I first had was that the bottom Bolt came loose but Once again a little silcone on the thread and it will secure it. And yes you can remove the bolts and nuts no problem just use a little bit.