I realise I'm doing a pretty good job of hijacking this thread, but in my case, I already have a strut brace, and the car's only an inch lower than standard. Like I say, I'm wondering if the difference between the vRS and standard top mounts holds the answer, as I can see the cheaper kits being developed for standard models, and the more expensive kits specifically for the sporty ones...

so the AP dont have helper springs ?!

nope nor weitecs and kws iirc

there doesn't appear to be any problems with the kw kits tho.

there doesn't appear to be any problems with the kw kits tho.

your right, but they are made by the same company, so side from the material used on the struts, and the quality of the dampers/ bump stops I'd imagine them to be otherwise the same? The basic design of the kit I mean, the way it fits.

Noises likely to be down to spring rates on the unloaded wheel. If you lower a car, ideally you want the same spring rate, which means shorter but thicker springs. Even that doesn't give a perfect answer if the springs are not designed to be progressive, and cheaper versions wont be for sure.

If the shorter springs have the same rate is OEM, the unloaded side under cornering is going to rattle, as Lummox has shown by fitting helper springs. If a top mount is rattling, it's either worn out, or far more likely, insufficient spring pressure on the bearing plate to prevent bearing rattle.

I think the Vmaxx coilovers come with helper springs, is anyone using them and if so have you had any issues with rattling. I had my mind made up on Weitec GT coilovers but the more I read about peoples experiences with them on forums I'm starting to get cold feet.

Noises likely to be down to spring rates on the unloaded wheel. If you lower a car, ideally you want the same spring rate, which means shorter but thicker springs. Even that doesn't give a perfect answer if the springs are not designed to be progressive, and cheaper versions wont be for sure.

The springs on my Konis are progressive - they're just the same as on the Sport kit, and I don't hear any complaints about them...??? I can see the theory behind it being down to the spring rate since it only happens on the rebound stroke, but while my stuff's "entry level", I don't think it's fair to say it's "cheap"...

If the shorter springs have the same rate is OEM, the unloaded side under cornering is going to rattle, as Lummox has shown by fitting helper springs. If a top mount is rattling, it's either worn out, or far more likely, insufficient spring pressure on the bearing plate to prevent bearing rattle.

I certainly don't get rattling; just groaning / creaking - much as seems to be the case with DayVe. Does that mean the top mounts / bearings aren't at fault? Also, we both seem to have much less noise when it's wet and the underside of the car gets damp from spray. That points to bushes, but mine have already been done, and were 100% fine before I had the new suspension put on. There must be something that can be done, surely???

Just been checking part numbers on Eurocarparts, and while the OEM parts may be different for the vRS compared to other Fabias, they list the same SKF top mount for all versions, so I'm guessing it's not a compatibility issue with the top mounts after all... :confused:

Earplugs it is, then... :(

iv got the sam problem with mine and they have helper springs fitted (came with kit)

and my mechanic said i need to replace the bearing in the top mount as it has been sparyed with wd40 and the noise has gone away but he said to stop it coming back again to replace the bearing

If the problem is mostly 'groaning' bushes that goes away when the car gets wet underneath, a liberal dose of comma white PTFE spray grease on all suspension bushes should stop the noises.

Some other thoughts. The bushes are designed to flex rather than allow the component parts to rotate within the bush. Very important that the rear bush for the wishbone does NOT rotate within the console housing.

Another thing you can try, is to buy some 'cone spray' and spray the damper piston rod with it. Cone spray is simply a lubricant to allow easy fitting of CV joint gators by using a cone. Dampers can groan in the dry when newish. This is why OEM dampers are designed to allow a very small portion of the damping oil to leak past the top seal, and lubricate the piston rods.

PTFE spray grease also prolongs bush life, as it protects the bush from road dirt, ozone and UV.

mine sound well gay at the moment. theyre moaning and groaning like victor meldrew

*bump* brrrr i dont believe it clunk-groan-crash

I had the same issue. sounded like geese under my bonnet. A long twisty drive around the lakes cured it =D hahaha

but other than that i cant offer any real advice

I read on some SUV forum (4×forum? I'll get me coat) that giving the bushes a good soaking with WD40, and then bouncing the suspension up and down help the lube penetrate. Obviously, even a 'good eater' like myself can't compress the suspension on a lowered road car much, however I thought that winding it up and down on the jack would be just as good. Well, it creaked like a galleon while I was winding away, and to only limited success, I must say. BUT I did discover that the majority of the noise came from around the bottom of the springs, and if I had to guess, I'd say it might even have been the boots / bellows / whatever they're called. So the next thing is to see if there's any way of lubing the insides of them... :ne_nau:

I have all this going on with mine too, gave it a good wash last week and its like new again going down the road.

I fitted new bearings and top mounts and it was good until the first 'drive' and then back to before so dont waste £50 thinking it will be solved that way.

Seems like the helper spring is the way to go (mine are AP)

Sorry to sound stupid (that'll happen alot with anything car technical).

But ive had a read through this post, with mentions of helper springs and collars etc and - well i dont understand.

Im getting the impression that regardless of car going completely silent when drenched with water people think this horrible noise isnt bush related?

Completely lost! :(

I sprayed a **** load of PFTE spray grease up inside the bearing/ top mount and smeared comma grease all around the top of the spring where it sits onto the mount and its a lot quieter now.

A lot quieter is good . . . I need it silent though!

If i cant get it sorted i'll end up selling the car - It just makes the car sounds like an MOT failure! The looks i get parking in work are dreadful! I cant afford to replace the coilovers and removing them . . . well, might aswell sell it if i cant get it how i want it.

These helper springs seem to be the way for the win, but im that knowledge-less when it comes to cars i need someone to tell me exactly what to buy and then i need to get someone to fit it!

Can anyone save the Fabia? - Before i start looking at an Octavia to keep standard! :(

Sorry I can't be more specific, but if you search through Lummox's threads, I think you'll find what you're after there...

Thanks.

Hes said what hes bought - But not been specific, so ive no idea what to buy! :(

This is probably super stupid, but would standard springs (or aftermarket) springs not fit with the coilovers? Curing A the noise and still allowing me to lower?

Thanks.

Hes said what hes bought - But not been specific, so ive no idea what to buy! :(

This is probably super stupid, but would standard springs (or aftermarket) springs not fit with the coilovers? Curing A the noise and still allowing me to lower?

Have you tried my idea?

1) Jack suspension up on little jack supplied with car, no need to lift wheels off the ground

2) Take PFTE spray grease, its like WD40 but longer lasting, attach little red tube thingie. Put up inside the arch and spray like a maddun all around the top of the spring and up unto the middle where the damper road goes. Make sure you get it everywhere

3) Take some comma grease (in a pot, looks a bit like honey), smear it all over your fingers then smear it all around the top of the thing where the spring sits on the bearing.

4) Take the caps off the struts in the engine bay. Take some silicon grease and spray it all round upside down and inside the bearing and top mount.

Joe, i'll give it ago!

Where can i get these from? Any shop?

Joe, i'll give it ago!

Where can i get these from? Any shop?

Any reason why you're spraying PTFE spray 'up', but silicone 'down'? I have both, and will go out and try your suggestions later - I'm just curious...

Also, to add to the confusion, in an attempted dry-run for removing the rear dampers on SWMBO's car to replace the bump stops (WTFH is the torque on those bottom bolts? Damned if I can get them undone! :( ), I had one heck of a noise as I lowered the car back down, which no amount of jumping on the boot sill could completely remedy, despite my hefty proportions. It's not just the front that creaks...

(Maybe, as I'm not on coilies, I should try different springs... :holmes: )

Any reason why you're spraying PTFE spray 'up', but silicone 'down'? I have both, and will go out and try your suggestions later - I'm just curious...

Also, to add to the confusion, in an attempted dry-run for removing the rear dampers on SWMBO's car to replace the bump stops (WTFH is the torque on those bottom bolts? Damned if I can get them undone! :( ), I had one heck of a noise as I lowered the car back down, which no amount of jumping on the boot sill could completely remedy, despite my hefty proportions. It's not just the front that creaks...

(Maybe, as I'm not on coilies, I should try different springs... :holmes: )

Mines the same, might be the handbrake cable, they are done up pretty tight, loads of WD40 needed.

Dunno, fancied a change of grease lol

Thanks.

Hes said what hes bought - But not been specific, so ive no idea what to buy! :(

This is probably super stupid, but would standard springs (or aftermarket) springs not fit with the coilovers? Curing A the noise and still allowing me to lower?

Not really. One of the points about coilovers is that they use a smaller internal diameter to the spring windings (I think they normally use "racing" 2.25" ID, rather than "road" 4") than OEM springs normally do.