CSR Front suspension

[PlastererPete]

Afternoon everyone,

I have a 2005 CSR200 which has developed a creak on the front drivers side suspension. I've narrowed it down to the drivers side and somewhere around the rocker assembly. I can't narrow it down any further from there as the sound is "travelling" if that makes sense. 
 

Are there any known failure points that I should look at first? And is it good practice to replace in pairs as per a tin top? 
 

Thanks,

Peter

[SamC]

Check the rocker to damper junction. Mine had worn into the rocker arm where the top of the damper had rotated (presumably when someone had not been careful doing a ride height change).

 

 

[PlastererPete]

Thanks Sam. I'll check that tomorrow when its light and report back. Think I need to take the nose off to get better access for a thorough look. 

[PlastererPete]

So after a nice couple of hours out in it this morning. The noise remained (after some silicone spray on some joints yesterday). Took the nose off and studied the drivers coilover a little more, held the spring and the noise stopped, but it was still trying to make it so vibrating under my hand. On comparison the spring wasn't seated the same way as the passenger side so jacked the car up and managed to undo the collars by hand (which is worrying) and slacken the spring off so I could rotate it. I also noticed that the spring was ever so slightly bowed as when I span it you could see it moving further away from the central damper. Not sure how thats happened but put it all back together and compressed the suspension and the noise has gone.....for now.

 

Now, does anyone know where i can get a set of spanners to lock the collar/rings together? Or who makes the damper units (it has Eibach springs, but no name on the dampers)?

[SamC]

Good news you've tracked something down. Re spanner's, they are just standard c spanners.

What colour are the dampers? Grey or blue and gold?

If standard, Bilstein if grey, Multimatic if blue and gold.

 

[PlastererPete]

SamC, the damper bodies are grey/bare aluminium. Thanks for the heads up about the spanners. I'll track down a couple. A quick google reveals different sizes though so ill take some measurements when I'm home. 
 

I'm trying to track down a set of springs but Caterham only sell the whole units at £600+ each. Looks like I'll have to give Eibach a call and see if they stock them. 

[7 wonders of the world]

Springs can be obtained form many sources, Faulkners make fine springs circa £30 a corner for linear  if you know the poundage free length and ID you need.

https://dfaulknersprings.com/

 

[Gareth H]

Be a little careful, the spring to steering arm clearance is very tight when the car is jacked up and the wheels are full droop.

[PlastererPete]

#7, #8, Thanks for the heads up on both counts. 

[BenF]

Pete, I'd consider getting it flat floored at a specialist while you're at it.  Otherwise you've no idea if you've got any cross weight in the car (unless you have some corner weight scales of course).

[PlastererPete]

I have a hunch that its been done before as the drivers side measurement I took was 10mm more than the passenger side. If the noise returns and I end up changing springs I'll definitely look into getting it done as I'm sure the original owner wasnt my weight an the new springs would change something about its handling. Any recommendations of somewhere Essex based?

[Alan Reeves]

Call PGM and get some good info and potentially a fix... bit of a way to travel but...

[PlastererPete]

Seen those guys mentioned quite a bit. If the problem hasnt been sorted then I may well give them a call. If they are that good then its worth the drive. Cheers. 

 

**Edit**  Had a reply from Eibach, it seems they are only available through CC with a part number of 000053477. I googled it with no luck though. 

[SamC]

Simon at Meteor Motorsport would be my first phone call. He'll be able to help.

[PlastererPete]

He's a bit far from me (circa 4hours each way). But if he's recommended then I may give him a call. Cheers. 

[Simon.Rogers]

Make sure you check the block height compared to the stroke required from the different manufacturers of the springs.  There is a significant difference and you certainly do not want to go coil bound.

For example on our Autograss customer cars we can run a 12" spring from Hyperco with lots to spare compared to another budget spring @ 16" open.

it's just worth an ask.

[PlastererPete]

Thanks for the info Simon. I had to do a bit of googling to find out what those terms meant but understand now. So far after a ride out tonight there is no more noise.....so far. But I'm not counting my chickens. 
 

Are there any measurements I could provide to the spring manufacturer other than overall diameter,open length, coil gauge and poundage rate?

[Simon.Rogers]

Give me a call next week and I will explain everything. 
 

last year we purchased a very expensive hydraulic spring testing dyno that has been enlightening.

all I would say is you may get close with some ready reckoning math - I used to try - but you would be very surprised at the variance between springs even when new. Then you have age related sag to contend with also.

I can happily recommend appropriate springs rates and or manufacturer.

there is to my knowledge only one manufacturer who provides a lifetime warranty against any fail or sag and their springs can live and not be over stressed even when set coil bound.  They have won every Indy500 for the past 57 years!

Hyperco.  It's the reason I use them.

Any way call us and I will help out in any way I can.  All advice is FOC. No sale pitch.

Just talking aloud here but it may be an interesting task to test as many springs as possible FOC as a way of demonstrating the variability.  Perhaps that's a winter project.