More road noise since fitting Lowering springs

[ChrisRs]

I had my car lowered on PI Sport Springs (30mm) last month and added 10mm Hubcentric spacers to the rear hubs

Since then the road noise is dramatically louder

Should this be happening?

Anyone else?

[chr1staylor]

Have you had your alignment/tracking checked since lowering?

[ChrisRs]

Yes ........it was lazer aligned to a 'sport' setting by ABC who fitted the springs

[cheezemonkhai]

sawtoothing the rear tyres at all?

[ChrisRs]

No

[cheezemonkhai]

No

In that case, if there isn't any, I'd suggest that possibly it's the harder springs (higher spring rate to cope with less travel) which means they're better at transmitting the vibrations and noise you get from the road surface.

That plus you're 30mm closer to the source of the noise

Edited 10 September, 2012 by cheezemonkhai

[JR RS]

lower springs = firmer suspension/ride

firmer suspension/ride = more road noise.

no rocket science there!!!

its like getting low profile tires & wondering why the road noise is louder!!!

[Wardy]

What tyres are you running these days Chris?

You will get more noise transmitted through a lower setup (basic reasoning: shorter and stiffer spring, less distance for NVH to be filtered out, therefore transmitted into the chassis). It could also the manufacture of the PI Sport springs which I'm not familiar with. Could be worth having a ride out with someone local on Eibach springs and standard dampers to do a comparison just on the different springs.

I've found 80-90% of any road noise issue will be down to the tyres though. But in this case because you've not noted an issue before the springs were fitted, it's probably not going to be the cause in this case.

[ChrisRs]

Alan (bluevrs2) has the same springs and no increase in road noise..he has Vredestein Sessantas

The tyres on mine are are Toyo T1R Proxes

[blueR36]

Yep no more noise in mine, I am surprised you can hear the road noise with all that diesel clatter

[Wardy]

Hmmm, T1-Rs were never on my 'quietest tyres ever' list but obviously the issue is that the noise has changed since the springs were swapped :S

[blueR36]

I havent noticed it louder, take the spacers off and ride around, maybe the spacers causing the wheel bearings to hum

[Wardy]

Yep, just a case of trail and error with this one I think.

Chris - was the alignment done with the spacers fitted? I'm presuming it was, but just to rule that out.

[blueR36]

yes alignment done, then he fitted spacers, then they altered again ?

[cheezemonkhai]

If you put the spacers on, it'll potentially change the angle of the wheels to the road.

I'd go get it checked out again, just to make sure it's in spec still.

[ChrisRs]

Thanks for the advice fellas

I'll take the spacers off i think and see what bdifference it makes

I might speak to Artur at ABC too

Alan..If you can hear diesel clatter inside my car...Think again.....its your teeth chattering...I'll turn the heat on for you !!

[firestormwest]

I also noticed a slight increase in noise when I had springs, spacers and Vreds all fitted and laser aligned at once.

I personally think its the wheel spacers. I find turning up the sound system cures it though!

[Wardy]

Spacers would be my first port of call then Chris, if you didn't have the suspension set up with them fitted.

[blueR36]

As in post 14, he had the springs fitted,( then aligned ) then he put the spacers on, ( then aligned)

[ChrisRs]

Correct

Alignment done initially .....Artur wasnt happy with it..so asked me to go back

Next day done again after spacers fitted

Set up for a sport setting

[swany]

whats with the wheel spacers, take it you want a wider stance or is it advised with lowered springs?

[vectra1]

Correct

Alignment done initially .....Artur wasnt happy with it..so asked me to go back

Next day done again after spacers fitted

Set up for a sport setting

How does it sound now?

[blueR36]

whats with the wheel spacers, take it you want a wider stance or is it advised with lowered springs?

Chris is just into the Dub scene

[allias]

If its suspension noise then it must be something missed but since instaled 30mm spacers I could bet its down to wind and road noise.

Each car create wind tunnel and any discurbance in it will create noise. Same thing happen when you have roof rack installed or if you stick your hand out of window. Same thing with wheels and tyres. Most of cars have wheels slighly hidden in wheel arches. That way wind just smoothly touch against your wheel. If you stick your wheel our 30mm that create different route for wind that will run thru rim and thread of tyre and create resistance. Each resistance - more noise...

Tyre rubber makes noise but mostly the thread is responsible for it, because of wind running thru them.

Simples...

[Dallan]

Have H&R 35mm springs on mine cant say there is any difference in noise before and after, no spacers on mine though