Dropped Car, Thumping sound.

[Headlessmunky]

I just dropped my car on Htechs yesterday. I installed them I cut the bump-stops on the front not the rear. I got everything tight(i believe)

When i drove alone:
When im driving if i hit a bump with either the left or right front(if theres any flex or twist) it will make a thumping sound. but if i hit a speed bump with both wheels then no thump.

If i drive with friends:
I brought my G/F and my friend along and. If i hit a bump left wheel right wheel or both it would thump.

I know for a fact the shocks are tight regardless, unless the sway bar or something is lose.

Help please.

[Tonkatoy02]

Sounds like the center strut nut or a sway like arent tight. Check all the links and the strut mounting bolts and the center nut on top of the strut. Good luck. -mike-

[pelly3s]

trying jacking the car up and shaking the wheel and hub and see if you can feel anything loose

[Tonkatoy02]

Also try a Big prybar on the sway bar against the lower control arm. Should show you any play in the strut or the bar. With the car jacked off the ground of course.

[SpeedRacer]

You did double check the top strut center bolt once the car was back on the ground. I had a friend that didn't check his after the car was back on the ground and it was a little lose.

[Supraman22]

If everything is tight you might want to cut your rear stops. Whats your wheel and tire set up? You might be rubbing or hitting something.

[Headlessmunky]

When the car is on the ground with the hood up it looks when the sway bar moves is when it thumps..could be irrelevant.

I didn't check the center nut on the shock, AFTER I set it on the ground.

Wheel/tire Stock tC wheels with 215/45/17 Fuzion ZRi(from the dealer)

Would the rear bump stops cause the front the bump?

Also the little cover for the bolt on top of the sturt is it important cause i realized one is missing. If it's important where can i get one.

[Resolve]

If sway bar is moving then make sure it is tight.

Also little black covers are not important. mainly like a dust cover and something the keep the engine bay clean looking.

[Headlessmunky]

where does the sway bar tighten at? Im gonna check all other bolts, tom when it stops raining after work before college.

[Resolve]

Is it the sway or strut bar?

[Headlessmunky]

The part i think is loose is the endlinks that connect the strut to the sway bar. Its been raining since sunday so i guess tom will be the day i have to work on it.

[cmdxb]

If you tightened the center nut on the strut PRIOR to dropping the car off jackstands, that is your issue. The rubber dust boot has come off center on the top of the spring because when you tighten that nut with no pressure on the spring, the rubber boot rotates and leaves a part of the spring in contact with the metal pillow mount.

This is causing your "thump when you hit a bump" issue.

Take off your strut, recenter the rubber dustboot by taking off the pillow mount (big metal thing with the bolts sticking out of it) and reinstall.

DO NOT TIGHTEN THE MIDDLE NUT ON THE STRUT ROD UNTIL THE CAR IS ON THE GROUND!!!

This should solve your issue.

You can check by taking off your tire an looking with a flashlight....although, sometimes it is VERY difficult to see.

I have personally had this happen 2 times (not my install lol) and diagnosed it within 5 seconds...good luck.

[Headlessmunky]

If this works i will kiss your shoes. :) And maybe lick them clean .

[Headlessmunky]

So i need to compress the spring and then take it off an put it back? Im gonna check every other thing first before pulling it apart again lol.

[cmdxb]

So i need to compress the spring and then take it off an put it back? Im gonna check every other thing first before pulling it apart again lol.


TECHNICALLY...you can loosen the 3 nuts on top, then break the centernut and fully remove it on both sides.

Then , jack the car up and the spring will decompress itself from the weight of the car...it WILL make loud noises....but its cool lol.

also, I have never seen an aftermarket spring I couldnt just arrange on the strut, put the pillow mount on and have a heavy person just LEAN DOWN on it and secure the middle strut top nut.

Then install strut in your car, and DONT tighten the center nut till the car is off jackstands and on the ground.

I have lowered numerous xB and tC and that is how I always do it. Official SHADE TREE ASE foo! lol :icon_yes:

PS not to mention a ridiculous amount of Honda/Acuras lolz

[Supraman22]

Make sure you get your sway bar links tight regardless. You will have to use the appropriate allen wrench and open end wrench to get them completely tight. Can't remember the sizes exactly.

[Headlessmunky]

It was the end links its what i though. I used a spring compressor when lowering it. Turned out they were tight with the allen wrench and 17mm box wrench, then tighten it with a ratchet. Problem solved, thank God

[tclove10]

Dang...here i was about to start a new thread about my car thumping and you sir panda lover may have solved my issue. But mine only thumps on the driver side...guess i got lucky on the passenger? lol Who knows, but we'll seeee!!!!