Groan

[Mean Green]

Got a little groan coming from the pass side shock/strut after I installed my BTG strut brace. Didn't notice it yesterday after I installed it and went for a spin. All of the nuts are tightened to 25 ft/lbs for the strut. Is this a noise that just showed up because the strut bar was installed and the struts have to get used to the strut bar?

[Mean Green]

I disconnected the strut bar from the bracket on the driver's side and drove around. Result was the noise was gone. Reattached it and drove around and the noise appears to be gone. Very strange.[:I]

[PTGT Redman]

maybe the bolt that holds the bar to the bracket was loose on that side.

[Mean Green]

quote:Originally posted by PTGT Redman

maybe the bolt that holds the bar to the bracket was loose on that side.

No, that wasn't it. I checked all of the fasteners including checking the torque (ft/lbs) on the three nuts holding the strut.

[Punch]

were you on level ground when you first installed the bar, I've been reading stories of people knocking their alignment out by being on ramps, hills, jacks etc...

[Mean Green]

quote:Originally posted by Punch

were you on level ground when you first installed the bar, I've been reading stories of people knocking their alignment out by being on ramps, hills, jacks etc...

Did it in my garage with a level floor. Didn't hear the noise going to work or coming home so I'll see what happens I guess.

[Kirby]

Sometimes even on a level surface the car is not "centered", adding the brace tightened the structure in whatever attitude it was in at the time. Driving it out, loostening then re tightening was probably the best thing you could do to relieve the unnatural torque that was originally captured.
High tech, but difficult without the equipment, is to put your car on 4 balance scales and find your corner weighting.[|)]

[Mean Green]

Took the strut bar off tonite. I was coming home from work tonite and crossed a couple of railroad tracks that are pretty bumpy. Heard the groan really well on the right side. Got home, removed the strut bar and put it back to stock. Went for a drive and heard a quieter groan twice, over a speed bump and a little bump going into my driveway. Maybe a bad shock and the strut bar manified it? Will take it into the dealer and see what they say. Car is lowered so I hope they don't give me a problem. This dealer is good about mods so I don't forsee one. Thanks for all the input. I'll let you know what happens.

[bobs turbo pt]

let us know what happens!!