I installed an eibach pro kit on my 98 I30 about 2 months ago, but since then there's been a mettle on mettle rattle noise comming from the strut area when going over rough surfaces. Initially there was no noise, but the noise is somewhat annoying on rough surfaces. I re-used the factory strut bearings and struts, may there be a problem with the bearing which is causing the noise? Or are the springs just not seated properly? any help would be greatly appreciated

 

The strut bearing will only cause problems when the wheels is turned.

Could be that the springs are not seated properly or that the coils are rubbing together. Did you reuse the stock spring isolators or wrap the springs yourself?

 

Doesn't the Eibach kit come with spring isolators? Mine did.

Did you have the springs all the way agenst the little stopper on the strut housing (aligned correctly)?

Sorry if I am being vague. I cant think of what it would be called.

 

Also the strut bearings are supposedly directional. I think there is an arrow that is supposed to point outward.

Hope this helps.

 

There is no noise when the wheels are turned, so I guess its not the bearings according to you guys. I didnt use anything as a "spring isolator", I saw a wrap on the factory springs but my pro kit didnt come with anything of this nature. I just installed the springs as the came, just the coil. Do you think this is my problem? If it is, what can I use to wrap the springs so they wont make noise anymore?

 

The top two and bottom two springs will rub, and without isloators a "squeak" or "creaking" noise will sometimes happen. They can be wraped with plastic coil wrap, but I use this teflon (sp?) 3M tape I found at HomeDepot. Or you could even buy OEM isolators from the dealer. The whole suspension will need to be removed to do this.

It **may** even be the stock struts getting worn out from being paired with a lowering spring, but that causing a "metal on metal" noise does not seem likely.

Have you checked all the bolts to make sure they are tight?