I have just bought and installed progressive H&R lowering springs 29964-1 for Toyota Celica T20 (3S-GE 2.0L engine, 129KW, chassis code ST202). Immediately after install, i noticed clunking noise over even slightly rough terrain. Also noticed that two lower coils are binding together when the car is stationary with no extra load.



Is this normal? Are those dead coils supposed to be there? Should i buy some sort of spring silencers?

My setup includes brand new KYB Excel-G shock absorbers.

This post has been edited by wazzuu: Sep 16, 2012 - 2:17 PM

I dont think that this setup should make clunking noises.
If your shocks are new then did you replaced and the strut mounts?
As for the dead coils it is normal for lowering springs or maybe you have to wait for the spring to settle.

Please please, PLEASE, do a search.
This has been covered mutiple times, and very recently as well.
Your Springs either aren't seated properly in the strut, or there arrow at the top is not facing the correct direction.
Search, and you'll find out what Im talking about.

Edit, just noticed the noise isn't cause by turning.
This clunking, could be cause by worn out top mounts.

This post has been edited by jordisonjr: Sep 17, 2012 - 1:13 PM

Thank for replies. Here's what H&R rep have to say:

Is this normal? No, clunking of any other noise is not normal.

Are those dead coils supposed to be there? Yes dead coils are designed to be touching one another.

If the springs have a different diameter top and bottom it is self-evident as far as which way they should be installed. Whenever possible we try and design the springs so that the inactive or dead coils are at the top.

Should i buy some sort of spring silencers? No, anything added to silence a noise is more of a bandaid. Please have all your bushings inspected, this is a good starting point especially on older model vehicles.

Think that those answers can be of some benefit to the members.

I went to the mechanics today and they said i must shorten the front shocks for a centimeter or two and that they will measure everything and come out with advice. This is pretty familiar to me, as i know a couple of people who did that and everything went back to normal.

Shortening shocks sounds weird. I have H&R springs and I have Koni sport shocks. No extra noises. Problem cannot be too long shocks.

I really don't know how, but it seems that there are people who needed to short their, and there are other people who just mounted their short springs and everythings was just fine.

My mechanic shorted the front shock for a 24mm, and there are no noises now. I specifically asked is there anything else they did with the suspension, they said no, just shortened the shocks.

I just picked up the car, it seems OK for now.

I dunno how i'd feel about a shop "shortening" my brand new shocks.
Hopefully that doesn't void your warranty in the future..

Odd procedure indeed. I would say your original noise could be due a missing rubber seat for that particular spring, did you check for that?

I had them installed and as soon i heard the noise i took the car back to the shop to deal with the problem. They called me and asked is it OK to shorten the shocks (as everything was fine including all the rubbers, endlinks, etc). I said "yes", mostly because couple of my mates did exactly the same, one of them driving 7th generation Celica TS, and also because the mechanic is a well known and reputable one.

The noise is gone and I'm extremely satisfied with the result, the car handles billion times better and is comfortable enough.

@jordisonjr - warranty on my kayabas is now 24mm shorter