Ohlins R/T Clunking Noise?

[jdOTFL5]

I recently installed ohlins road and track coilovers on the car and i hear a clunking noise coming out of the rear passenger side at low speeds. Does anyone know what could potentially cause this issue?

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[Icehawk]

You need to start by checking every nut on the rear that was touched. Start with the top hat bolts.

 

[007]

Welcome to the world of coilovers!

NVH is pretty much a given in this territory. Inevitable. I've been through it all for nearly 20 years - everything from Ohlins to Moton, Koni, JRZ, KW, and Bilstein. If you're looking for a noise-free suspension, your best bet is to stick with stock.

As the previous poster mentioned, the source of the noise could be anything. Assuming all parts are tightened correctly, my experience suggests it might be issues like a shock eyelet, bushing wear, or even the mounts. In other words, it's nearly impossible to pinpoint the problem without getting under the car for a thorough inspection. On some rare occasions, I've been able to replicate noises by manually yanking on the shock or control arm while the car is lifted.

It's probably not the answer you were hoping for, but that's the reality. Browse any automotive forum and you'll find thousands of posts about clunking coilovers.

 

[jdOTFL5]

Welcome to the world of coilovers!

NVH is pretty much a given in this territory. Inevitable. I've been through it all for nearly 20 years - everything from Ohlins to Moton, Koni, JRZ, KW, and Bilstein. If you're looking for a noise-free suspension, your best bet is to stick with stock.

As the previous poster mentioned, the source of the noise could be anything. Assuming all parts are tightened correctly, my experience suggests it might be issues like a shock eyelet, bushing wear, or even the mounts. In other words, it's nearly impossible to pinpoint the problem without getting under the car for a thorough inspection. On some rare occasions, I've been able to replicate noises by manually yanking on the shock or control arm while the car is lifted.

It's probably not the answer you were hoping for, but that's the reality. Browse any automotive forum and you'll find thousands of posts about clunking coilovers.

So would you say that clunking is normal? Are all those possible issues possible while the coilovers are new?

 

[Icehawk]

No, clunking is not normal - figure out what it is before you drive on it.

 

[Noize]

Not normal for sure. Especially if not mirrored on the other side. Investigate installation at that corner ASAP.

 

[007]

So would you say that clunking is normal? Are all those possible issues possible while the coilovers are new?

Ah, the mysterious world of coilovers - a place where noises emerge like unsolicited opinions at a family dinner. While a clunking sound isn't exactly the "new car smell" of suspension, it's not as rare as a unicorn either. The initiated among us will nod knowingly. As for me, I've been around the block enough times to have heard all the automotive noises, from the symphonic to the cacophonous.

AFAIK, Ohlins R&T is manufactured in Thailand and wouldn't exactly make it to my "Top Gear" list. I put them on my previous M3 and, let's just say, it wasn't love at first ride. But hey, you do you. If I were ever to venture into the coilover forest again, which is as likely as me enjoying pineapple on pizza, I'd splurge on Penske, MCS, or even the Ohlins TTX line.

Now, if you meet someone who claims their coilovers are quieter than a librarian in a meditation retreat, they're likely in one of three camps: a) fibbing like a politician, b) living in a suspension-induced fantasy, or c) their car is essentially a really expensive garage ornament.

 

[MERAKIAUTOWORKS]

From the rear you should not hear any clunking, I'd check everything.

-Josh

 

[UJX]

I had the clunking noise after putting on Spoon springs, Spoon rigid collars, and Eibach rear camber arms. It ended up being two things.

First, the subframe was lower due to the rigid collars so the exhaust was slightly banging on the heatshield. Probably not the issue you are facing.

Second, the nuts on the camber arms weren't tightened enough.

It's most likely one of the nuts back there not being tight enough.

 

[jdOTFL5]

Issue has been fixed it definitely were loose nuts that werent tight enough by the camber arm

 

[Rhorn]

How does the sock ride compare to the dampers?

 

[jdOTFL5]

How does the sock ride compare to the dampers?

i have it on ohlins factory recommended settings and the best way i can describe it is, it is in between comfort and r+ as far as stiffness. however, you can tell that the car hugs the road though, instead of the bouncy/hopping feeling that you get in the R+ mode on factory dampers. I have done very little spirited driving so far but i can say that when i DO drive it harder it eats the corner up.

 

[Icehawk]

Now, if you meet someone who claims their coilovers are quieter than a librarian in a meditation retreat, they're likely in one of three camps: a) fibbing like a politician, b) living in a suspension-induced fantasy, or c) their car is essentially a really expensive garage ornament.

What are you talking about? I had Tein Flex c/o on my NA Miata for about 15 years and 90k miles and never got a squeak, clunk, or squish noise from them or any of the rest of the suspension (which had ball joints, delrin, etc too). I daily drove it for many winters in CT and many autocrosses with R compounds.

Issue has been fixed it definitely were loose nuts that werent tight enough by the camber arm

Glad to hear it, pretty easy to leave something a bit loose.

 

[BF_656]

Ah, the mysterious world of coilovers - a place where noises emerge like unsolicited opinions at a family dinner. While a clunking sound isn't exactly the "new car smell" of suspension, it's not as rare as a unicorn either. The initiated among us will nod knowingly. As for me, I've been around the block enough times to have heard all the automotive noises, from the symphonic to the cacophonous.

AFAIK, Ohlins R&T is manufactured in Thailand and wouldn't exactly make it to my "Top Gear" list. I put them on my previous M3 and, let's just say, it wasn't love at first ride. But hey, you do you. If I were ever to venture into the coilover forest again, which is as likely as me enjoying pineapple on pizza, I'd splurge on Penske, MCS, or even the Ohlins TTX line.

Now, if you meet someone who claims their coilovers are quieter than a librarian in a meditation retreat, they're likely in one of three camps: a) fibbing like a politician, b) living in a suspension-induced fantasy, or c) their car is essentially a really expensive garage ornament.

Öhlins Road and Track systems are manufactured in Japan, not Thailand. Öhlins also has manufacturing in Thailand for some motorcycle applications, but not the Road and Track line.

Öhlins Road and Track product should be as quiet as OE when used with the OE rubber upper mounts. Please contact Öhlins USA if there is abnormal noises.

 

[007]

Öhlins Road and Track systems are manufactured in Japan, not Thailand. Öhlins also has manufacturing in Thailand for some motorcycle applications, but not the Road and Track line.

Öhlins Road and Track product should be as quiet as OE when used with the OE rubber upper mounts. Please contact Öhlins USA if there is abnormal noises.

There's been a long-standing debate about the manufacturing origins of Ohlins dampers. It's known that some older models were made in Sweden, Japan, and Thailand, but it's still unclear exactly where the Road & Track series is produced. I'd be interested in seeing solid evidence of them being entirely made in Japan. Regardless, their reliability has been questionable over the years.

The Swedish-made Ohlins are top-notch, but the Road & Track series seems to be just a basic damper, primarily for road use. They're probably quite similar to the Bilstein Sport damper internally. They're a decent choice for a road car, but nothing extraordinary.

There was a noticeable difference between the Ohlins made allegedly under license in Japan and the original Swedish ones, with the latter being superior. If Ohlins disclosed the type of valving they use, it would help in making more accurate comparisons.

Interestingly, in Japan, the Swedish-made series (Flag-R) used to be available but at double the cost. The Japanese-made Ohlins don't match up to the Swedish versions in terms of quality, based on my research and observations. They're just different: different shafts, chroming, pistons, simpler and inferior valving, different seals. Essentially, they're just using the Ohlins brand name under license, as is common with many products in different markets. In my opinion, the genuine Swedish ones were worth more than double the price because they're more than twice as good.

Like with calipers, pads, and clutches, with dampers, you get what you pay for.

I've had the Road and Track dampers on two different M3s, and personally, I found them to be subpar. They performed poorly on rough surfaces, feeling unstable and sloppy. They're about as good as the KW V2, which I consider just barely acceptable. Additionally, the Ohlins R&D leaked twice within 10,000 miles on my car. Although customer service was responsive, constantly replacing shocks is a hassle. That's been my experience, anyway.

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