I recently installed new struts/springs at all four corners. The rears are rattling. I used OEM sport struts, RSR down springs, KYB strut mount, OEM bellow, and a Monroe bump stop. I thought I used all of the parts I needed but I still am getting a rattle. The springs seem to be seated properly and the hardware is torqued properly. Anyone else have an experience like this? I’ll likely pull the noisier side out this weekend when I have time but wanted to see if anyone had feedback. Thank you!

 

It's likely not a strut, check the sway bar and all hardware and the upper arm

 

Is the noise coming from rear right? For the strut removal, Did you have to temporarily remove an arm or any covers?

 

Yes Striker, I really don’t think it would be a strut but it almost seems to be coming from the mount itself. I check it more times than I’d like to admit and everything seems correct.

Did not have to remove any other Suspension bits In the rear to do the swap. What is strange is the vehicle was on coils before and had no rattles. I swapped only the new strut assemblies and had issues.

 

Did you check the torque spec on the strut mount center nut?

Front Struts:
Top strut mount (3 nuts): 58 N.m (43 ft.lbf)
Top strut lock nut: 28 N.m (20 ft.lbf)
Bottom nut: 157 N.m (116 ft.lbf)

Rear Struts:
Top strut mount (3 nuts): 64 N.m (47 ft.lbf)
Top strut lock nut: 27 N.m (20 ft.lbf)
Top strut mount cap (3 nuts): 25 N.m (18 ft.lbf)
Bottom nut: 70 N.m (52 ft.lbf)

 

Wow this is almost my exact same setup (OEM sport struts, RSR springs, KYB bellows). The KYB bellows got shredded FAST. i noticed 6K miles after putting them in, but it was such a pain that I think I'll leave them. the car is a lot more fun to drive but I kinda regret it bc the bottom scrapes with the slightest inclines. i didn't notice any rattle with my setup but i reused my strut mounts

 

Yes, multiple times in fact. The strut appears to be tight and assembled properly but I'll get a better idea tonight when I have some time to get under the car. Appreciate the reply.

 

I actually love my setup in terms of ride quality. I work for Mercedes in the Chicagoland area and not only does my car handle our **** roads wonderfully, the ride is very Benz-like in feeling now (which IMO a good thing). Still soft enough but much more planted and confidence inspiring than before. I just need to get my steering wheel vibration and the clunking in the rear sorted. The further I go down the rabbit hold with this car the more I feel like I should just buy a new car. For 216k miles it is unbelievable how well it rides and drives but I am constantly trying to perfect it. Turning me into a mad man!

 

Another trick is to get a long solid metal bar and put it under the tire while the car is on the ground and have someone pull up on the bar. With the weight of the car on the suspension you should be able to duplicate the noise and find where its coming from.

 

thats awesome! last time my steering vibrated, it was the front driver wheel bearing, but it made a distinct noise above 40MPH so the issue was obvious. I'm at 183K miles and the ride is incredibly smooth, especially on the highway. I can be going 70MPH, let go of the wheel and it wouldnt move a millimeter!

 

I had a similar issue after installing new suspension (4 struts, 4 upper control arms, and front lower control arm bushings) and it ended up being the sway bar body bushings.

First I re-checked all the torque specs, then moved to the sway bar end links. After replacing them, the rattle over bumps was still present. Finally I replaced the sway bar body bushings, and it was gone. YMMV.

 

How many miles were on your car? I have a rattle on the right rear only on uneven bumps, haven't checked the sway bar bushings but nothing else has play.

 

Mine had just over 90k miles when I changed everything... most people seem to do similar work anywhere from 80k-120k miles depending on climate and driving style.