Ecoboost Performance Forum

Ecoboost Performance => Performance => Topic started by: Slantnose! on May 20, 2015, 08:38:40 AM

Title: lowered '14 MKS w/H&R's...but having problems
Post by: Slantnose! on May 20, 2015, 08:38:40 AM
Hello.
I'm new here, just found this site & need help.
We went thru the dealer for our first service & had them install the H&R springs...
..figured they know the car best & would be a straightforward job.
Car looks great & seems to ride ok...but we've now got a terrible squeaking/creaking sound when turning the steering wheel.
Didn't have it before, only has 38xx miles & of course their service department is blaming the springs for the noise.
So, guess my question is if anyone else has gone thru this, know what it could be & how to fix.
Thank you.
Title: Re: lowered '14 MKS w/H&R's...but having problems
Post by: Sabtaj1 on May 20, 2015, 08:58:15 AM
Looks great.  I have read some on the flex forum mention having this issue as well.  It seems to have something to do with the paint/powdercoating on the springs.  Like it sticks and releases to the upper strut mount.  That may be what is happening in your case. 
Title: Re: lowered '14 MKS w/H&R's...but having problems
Post by: jtoddk98 on May 20, 2015, 02:40:58 PM
How much did they charge you for the install if I may ask?


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Title: Re: lowered '14 MKS w/H&R's...but having problems
Post by: Slantnose! on May 21, 2015, 06:41:39 AM
Thanks, will look into the spring coating...but it's only making noise during a turn, not on bumps.
The final charge was about twice what was quoted...got out of there for $799.95.
Title: Re: lowered '14 MKS w/H&R's...but having problems
Post by: SHOdded on May 21, 2015, 06:46:53 AM
Also look into possibly needing to "grease" the strut mount bearings, if the springs don't settle into place soon.  They seem to get dirty over time.  Tap into H&R's support also.
http://www.ecoboostperformanceforum.com/index.php/topic,2759.html (http://www.ecoboostperformanceforum.com/index.php/topic,2759.html)
Title: Re: lowered '14 MKS w/H&R's...but having problems
Post by: Slantnose! on May 21, 2015, 06:57:45 AM
Good information...thanks for sharing.
Have been in communication with H&R thru Tirerack & they believe something with the assembly most likely the bearing or bumpstop, possibly needing lube also.
Title: Re: lowered '14 MKS w/H&R's...but having problems
Post by: 11BLKFX4EB on May 31, 2015, 04:17:06 PM
I'm having the exact same issue on my '14 SHO. Its driving me crazy...I went and bought some Blaster Lube and I'm going to try and see if I spray that on the upper rubber piece, if that eliminates it. I'm wondering if another thing I noticed is the issue. If you pop off the center rubber grommet that is on the center of the strut tower, I noticed the metal from the strut is actually pushing up on the center of the strut tower. I'm wondering if that is the noise. I'll run out and get a picture...
Title: Re: lowered '14 MKS w/H&R's...but having problems
Post by: geswek on May 31, 2015, 08:22:22 PM
I have 50k miles on my springs. It's been doing it since day 1. I've pretty much given up on it.


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Title: Re: lowered '14 MKS w/H&R's...but having problems
Post by: 11BLKFX4EB on May 31, 2015, 08:47:58 PM
Anyone else's look like this? Looks like mine is rubbing
Title: Re: lowered '14 MKS w/H&R's...but having problems
Post by: Slantnose! on June 02, 2015, 07:40:24 AM
Thanks for posting that picture...is that top part where you think the noise is coming from?
I'll check out mine & see if looks the same...wonder if trying to maintain stock alignment specs has anything to do with it?
Title: Re: lowered '14 MKS w/H&R's...but having problems
Post by: ShoBoat on June 02, 2015, 08:36:33 AM

Quote from: 11BLKFX4EB on May 31, 2015, 08:47:58 PM
Anyone else's look like this? Looks like mine is rubbing
Mine looks like that and makes no noise.


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Title: Re: lowered '14 MKS w/H&R's...but having problems
Post by: 11BLKFX4EB on June 02, 2015, 08:45:30 AM
Quote from: Slantnose! on June 02, 2015, 07:40:24 AM
Thanks for posting that picture...is that top part where you think the noise is coming from?
I'll check out mine & see if looks the same...wonder if trying to maintain stock alignment specs has anything to do with it?
I thought it might be but since SHOBOAT doesn't have the noise, maybe not. SHOBOAT, have you lube the rubber pads on yours? I was reading about you saying to lube the bearing. Where is that? At the top nut?
Title: Re: lowered '14 MKS w/H&R's...but having problems
Post by: ShoBoat on June 02, 2015, 02:37:36 PM

Quote from: 11BLKFX4EB on June 02, 2015, 08:45:30 AM
Quote from: Slantnose! on June 02, 2015, 07:40:24 AM
Thanks for posting that picture...is that top part where you think the noise is coming from?
I'll check out mine & see if looks the same...wonder if trying to maintain stock alignment specs has anything to do with it?
I thought it might be but since SHOBOAT doesn't have the noise, maybe not. SHOBOAT, have you lube the rubber pads on yours? I was reading about you saying to lube the bearing. Where is that? At the top nut?

Give me a few I'll post up some pics.


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Title: lowered '14 MKS w/H&R's...but having problems
Post by: ShoBoat on June 02, 2015, 02:47:12 PM
Ok here goes, there is a bearing between the rubber mount and the steel hat on the top of the strut. (http://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/15/06/02/eecf868b645032aeb1aa316c97e700c4.jpg)

The only way to clean and lube this is with the strut out of the car. Otherwise your just going to make a mess. These are my winter set. As you can see they have not been cleaned and are quite dirty. If the bearing binds it will cause the spring to chatter, squeak ..... This is easier when the H&Rs are on the car as the load on the top bearing is not really there one the car is off the ground and it can be turned without disassembling the strut.  The rubber mounts must be clean and dry. No lube on the rubber seats, otherwise the springs will slide around in the seat and cause squeaking also.
(http://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/15/06/02/fa5e13a18082de14989ff63c5b8ff1e7.jpg)


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Title: Re: lowered '14 MKS w/H&R's...but having problems
Post by: Slantnose! on June 03, 2015, 07:02:29 AM
Those pictures are helpful.
Just wonder since my car is relatively new & low mileage, if same thing was possible upon reassembly here?
Think the dealer did spray lube on the rubber spring seats...
...also, is it possible that this is slightly binding-up the steering?
Drove car yesterday & seems like the steering wheel doesn't quite return back to center like before.
Title: Re: lowered '14 MKS w/H&R's...but having problems
Post by: ShoBoat on June 03, 2015, 09:11:42 AM
Can't answer that, however when I first installed my H&Rs mine was also low miles and the creak was there. Only after I did exactly what I did in my how to did it go away and has not returned.


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Title: Re: lowered '14 MKS w/H&R's...but having problems
Post by: 11BLKFX4EB on June 03, 2015, 10:57:28 AM
Quote from: Slantnose! on June 03, 2015, 07:02:29 AM
Those pictures are helpful.
Just wonder since my car is relatively new & low mileage, if same thing was possible upon reassembly here?
Think the dealer did spray lube on the rubber spring seats...
...also, is it possible that this is slightly binding-up the steering?
Drove car yesterday & seems like the steering wheel doesn't quite return back to center like before.
Make sure you have it aligned
Title: Re: lowered '14 MKS w/H&R's...but having problems
Post by: Slantnose! on June 08, 2015, 05:56:18 AM
Did any of you trim or alter the bumpstop any?
Title: Re: lowered '14 MKS w/H&R's...but having problems
Post by: ShoBoat on June 08, 2015, 09:18:25 AM
Nope not needed as far I know


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Title: Re: lowered '14 MKS w/H&R's...but having problems
Post by: Darren M on September 06, 2015, 12:34:04 PM
I just purchased my 2015 SHO PP and am seriously considering H&R springs. I have them in my Mustang and they've done very well under some rather harsh conditions. (Not just a street car.) However, this creaking and popping "thing" seems to be a rather common problem that I REALLY do not want to deal with on a nice cruiser. So, prior to pulling the trigger on springs I was doing my due diligence and came upon this thread. I would tend to speculate the same as many here, the springs seem to be "binding" under load due to extreme left/right turning. I'm no engineer but has anyone thought of machining thin delrin or [insert other hard plastic here] into a thin "washer" that would allow the spring to turn more freely? If the spring is binding it is "probably" getting caught between the spring tails and upper/lower contact points with the spring perches. The lubrication discussed would temporarily solve this problem but most grease is a magnet for all kinds of small particles that would end up acting like a polish and over time (perhaps a lot of time) ultimately wear on the spring perch.
My thought would be to machine the delrin, grind smooth and round the spring tails then perhaps powder coat them to minimize the tail's ability to eat the delrin.
Random thought of the day complete. :)
Title: Re: lowered '14 MKS w/H&R's...but having problems
Post by: ShoBoat on September 07, 2015, 09:22:02 AM
^^^ great ideas! I was having issues with mine. Until I did the following.

http://www.ecoboostperformanceforum.com/index.php/topic,2759.msg41025.html#msg41025


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Title: Re: lowered '14 MKS w/H&R's...but having problems
Post by: Slantnose! on September 08, 2015, 07:20:41 AM
I've been unable to get this resolved.
Have learned the noise is from the spring not "exactly" fitting into the rubber seats, particularly the top one...it's slightly pushed the rubber out, which inturn rubs inside the strut housing...
...it sounds the same whether turning the wheels a little or alot.
Also, the springs I got are supposedly for my car...double checked with H&R, but they are bouncy even with the suspension in S.
Not sure if SHO's have different shocks, but aside from looking great probably not a good idea.
Title: Re: lowered '14 MKS w/H&R's...but having problems
Post by: ShoBoat on September 08, 2015, 08:26:45 AM
I wonder if someone with an mks could chime in. The SHO and MKS do have different shocks. I wonder if the strut mounts are also different? At slow speeds it can be a bit bouncy on larger bumps on mine. Any chance you could post some pics of the springs and struts mounted on the car? I am interested to see how the springs sit in the seats.


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Title: Re: lowered '14 MKS w/H&R's...but having problems
Post by: OmaHahn on September 23, 2015, 05:42:42 PM
Quote from: ShoBoat on September 07, 2015, 09:22:02 AM
^^^ great ideas! I was having issues with mine. Until I did the following.

http://www.ecoboostperformanceforum.com/index.php/topic,2759.msg41025.html#msg41025 (http://www.ecoboostperformanceforum.com/index.php/topic,2759.msg41025.html#msg41025)


Do you get an alignment every time you swap in & out the springs?  The H&R for our Gen 4 SHO's lower it 1.2 to 1.4 inches and throws off the alignment well past the threshold.  I just went through a headache getting the rear end aligned!  Anyway, I have a '14 SHO that moans a little bit also but it's only during slow, complete turns so it doesn't bother me too much.
Title: Re: lowered '14 MKS w/H&R's...but having problems
Post by: ShoBoat on September 23, 2015, 05:48:13 PM
Yup sure do, but where I live the winter is brutal and that alone makes it worth it. Mine just started to moan a bit. When I pull them off for the season I'll upgrade my how to with a set of pics on the procedure.


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