Rear suspension crashing sound

[Alex121]

Hi all,

I fitted my arcadias yesterday and this morning going to work I heard a horrible crashing sound from the rear of the car when I go over bumps and potholes. It sounds like the whole car is going to fall apart.

I've checked the springs aren't cracked and they're fine, they are also seated correctly. The exhaust is hanging ok with no issues and the spare tyre isn't rubbing on anything so I'm struggling to work out what else could be causing it.

The car is a P2 2002 T4 sport so is set up for the wheels ok.

Any ideas as I'm a bit stuck now....

Thanks

[pierremcalpine]

Are you sure that you tightened up the top mount bolt properly? if that is left loose it would make horrible sounds over every bump...been there done that.

[Alex121]

Seems unlikely to be that given that it was absolutely fine a day before with the 16's and none of that's been touched. It was literally 16's bolted off, 17's bolted on....Will look into it tomorrow though so thanks for the suggestion

[pierremcalpine]

woops, for whatever reason I thought that you had changed your springs!!! You may still want to check the top mount bolt but pretty sure that changing wheels would not have impacted the strut top mount bolt!!!

[pierremcalpine]

for what it's worth - IF that was the case, it would be a very clear hammering noise on metal. Very distinct sound.

[Alex121]

Lol. No worries.

Although looking at the pics I took earlier it seems the passnger rear spring sits a little wonky compared to the drivers rear which sits flush.

Drivers rear



Passenger rear



Even if that's causing the noise on that side it doesn't explain why I get it on the drivers rear too...

[pierremcalpine]

Hmm, good point - loose tools in the spare tire compartment??? Does the ride seem good?

[Alex121]

Nope, I did have a squeak too but that was the jack rubbing on the spare tyre. I actually completely emptied my tool boxes and the spare tyre/all the jacking stuff out of the boot and took it for a drive empty. I thought it was solved till I went over a bump and the noise happened again.

Very frustrating.

[pierremcalpine]

I hate doing any job twice but have you tried putting old wheels back on to?

[S40 Volvo]

I would be very interested at what this turns out to be. -As you might know, I literally changed every suspension part because of a crunching sound/knocking noise when going over bumps etc. I'm still not even 100% sure that all that has cured the problem......