tdonnell

Hello everybody,

I wanted to post up this 'issue' and see what you all have to say about it.

I purchased and installed a set of Ksport GT Pro Inverted Tube Dampers about a month or so ago, and ever since I have had this little problem with noise. Whenever the suspension flexes up or down in the rear, there is a sort of klunk noise. Basically it is the noise that is occurring when the strut body is moving against the square cut seal (I'm assuming) that keeps dirt and debris out of the lower half of the strut housing. I believe the only reason I am only hearing the rear struts do this is because I have removed my rear seats and there is nothing between the passenger compartment and the struts but 1/16" steel, unlike the front struts that have much to insulate their noise.

Since they are inverted shock tube struts, where the normal piston is about a 1/2" in diameter, these are about 1 1/2-2" in diameter. Here are some pics to show you what I mean:

http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k29/tdon...dKsports002.jpg

http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k29/tdon...dKsports001.jpg

http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k29/tdon...dKsports003.jpg

http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k29/tdon...dKsports005.jpg

As you can see, the dampening adjustment knob is on the bottom of the strut, further explaining the inverted shock body design. This helps to reduce unsprung weight and also reduces shock flex due to the larger diameter shafts.

I have read on a few forums that ALL inverted tube coilover systems will have this additional noise because of the additional friction involved with the much larger shafts and thus greatly increased amount of contact surface area. They say that to get rid of the noise, you have to lubricate the damper body itself quite often. I have tried light grease, WD-40, ZEP penetrating oil and none have worked to completely get rid of the noise, but it is reduced for about 2-3 days. Also, if it is raining, they are quiet as can be, so it must be a lubrication issue.

I contacted Ksport directly and they admitted that some noise is normal considering this is a racing suspension, and in a race car such noises would not even be noticed. And it makes sense to me, no way in hell you would hear these noises if you had a straight piped exhaust and were always above 5000 rpm. Heck, I can only hear it if I am REALLY listening for it with the radio off, or if I am going below say 40 mph. Some days it is worse than others. And granted, these things are not designed for daily driver use, they are designed for autocrossing or track racing, so I really can't complain. Just a little more confirmation that this is normal would be nice.

I would like to get a daily beater and leave the tibby for weekend use only, but the money is not available right now due to me dumping it into the tib, kind of ironic eh?

I was thinking of making some kind of dust boot to prevent dirt and debris from getting on the shaft and drying it out. Whenever it is dry the noise becomes more significant. Anyone have any recommendations on a lubricant that might help rid me of this aggrivating noise on my daily driver?

Any posts with any information regarding this matter would be appreciated.

Thanks.