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View Full Version : Suspension Knocking sound - Spax Shock


SIMid
09-15-2014, 02:43 AM
Been driving for the past week with knocking sound from the front end.

Checked the ball joints, all is well.

Checked the anti roll bar clamps, one was a little loose.

Checked the steering rack bolts, one was a little loose as well.

Finally discovered this....

http://i60.tinypic.com/1zn3od3.jpg
Where are the bolts?

http://i57.tinypic.com/28jbl74.jpg
Still there!!

http://i57.tinypic.com/2iglv6q.jpg
Looks like the suspension place may have overtightened the bolts?

Can't work out how this had happened.
BABIS
09-15-2014, 02:49 AM
this seems to be almost common with the spax. Josh DPI sells the solution: http://www.deloreanindustries.com/spax-front-shock-bushing-upgrade-poly/ in this kit you will find also the reinforced washers..
Bitsyncmaster
09-15-2014, 05:19 AM
Looks like both sides have been hitting the wheel wells.
SIMid
09-15-2014, 07:49 PM
Looks like both sides have been hitting the wheel wells.

They have been kissing the wheel wells. Possible occurring going over speed humps I am guessing. Not sure if other Spax owners have the same issues? Maybe they have never looked?
SIMid
09-15-2014, 07:49 PM
this seems to be almost common with the spax. Josh DPI sells the solution: http://www.deloreanindustries.com/spax-front-shock-bushing-upgrade-poly/ in this kit you will find also the reinforced washers..

Looks more like the washer had failed than the bushing. The bolts seem to have forced themselves into and through the washer.
BABIS
09-15-2014, 09:04 PM
Looks more like the washer had failed than the bushing. The bolts seem to have forced themselves into and through the washer.

yes the washers are the problem
Delorean Industries
09-15-2014, 09:56 PM
Washers and very weak bushings. The poly update takes care of this issue completely.
DMCMW Dave
09-15-2014, 10:54 PM
They have been kissing the wheel wells. Possible occurring going over speed humps I am guessing. Not sure if other Spax owners have the same issues? Maybe they have never looked?

If you didn't throw them out, the ones from your original shocks will work just fine. And free.
SIMid
09-15-2014, 10:57 PM
If you didn't throw them out, the ones from your original shocks will work just fine. And free.

Long gone now Dave. :(

They were all hard and cracked.

Were they just an issue with the fronts or on all the bushes?
DMCMW Dave
09-15-2014, 11:59 PM
Seemed to be the fronts. You should be able to get some poly bushings locally. See if you can get "energy suspension" parts there.
dmruschell
09-16-2014, 10:33 AM
I had a similar issue, though not quite as bad. The washers on 3196 that came from SPAX were bent out of shape. One of the shocks was bent as well (the washers were especially bad on that side). I had to order a new pair of front shocks, installed with the DPI bushings, and the clunk in the front suspension disappeared.
Mark D
09-16-2014, 10:36 AM
Is this an issue on all SPAX front shocks? I thought I remembered hearing that the upper washers were changed so they were stronger. I just installed a set of shocks about a year and a half ago so I'm wondering if I need to go swap out the washers.

If the bushings are suspect too then I'll probably change them out to poly along with the washers anyway. Guess I better go inspect them...dammit.
dmruschell
09-16-2014, 10:48 AM
Is this an issue on all SPAX front shocks? I thought I remembered hearing that the upper washers were changed so they were stronger. I just installed a set of shocks about a year and a half ago so I'm wondering if I need to go swap out the washers.

If the bushings are suspect too then I'll probably change them out to poly along with the washers anyway. Guess I better go inspect them...dammit.

Yes it is an issue on all of them. DPI started selling their SPAX shocks with their bushing kit included because of this issue. If you have red bushings (I think the bushing contacts the frame without a washer, and there is a washer above the bushing if I remember correctly), you're fine, but if you have black bushings with washers above and below, order the DPI bushings.
Mark D
09-16-2014, 11:26 AM
Cool thanks for confirming. Looks like I've got a new winter project.
FABombjoy
09-16-2014, 12:53 PM
My rears had a problem as well with the shock sliding on the rear bushing toward the back of the car. The shock body / eyelet ended up against the washer.

For a permanent fix, I bought some generic tophat-style urethane bushings and lathed them to fit. Being a mix of metric and imperial there wasn't anything available off the shelf.