My 2012 MR has been riding on a set of Eibach springs for the past 4,000 miles of my cars 5007 miles, but recently an issue arose where after about 30 minutes of driving I would start to get a cracking and popping sound from the front end at low speed and a lot of in cabin rumble that seemed to disappear after the car cooled down. I took it into the shop multiple times to check that everything was tight and in order only to be discharged like a nutter when they could find no issues. I finally decided to go back to stock to see if this would remedy the issue or if my shock was some how blown or leaking (which the shop said was not the case). The car is now running really well with no sound or vibration issue at low speeds. Is it possible that the sound was generated by severe rubbing with the splash guard?

I hate the look of the car now that it is so high, should I try a different spring? Any help would be appreciated.

 

Try Swift Spec R. Let a reputable shop install if you are not a pro.

 

^^^ i've had the swift spec-r's for 3k miles with no issues. i had a buddy of mine help me out with the install, great resources on youtube as well. i think the spec-r's are more of a subtle drop compared to the eibachs.

 

swift spec-R on MR bilstein for the past 25,000kms and no problems at all so far

 

Sounds like the springs were improperly installed. 50k miles on my Prokits and they've been perfect, no abnormal noises.

 

FWIW I feel function over form is more important. Kracka can correct me if I'm wrong but I think Prokits have one of the most aggressive drops... next to H&R? Swift Spec-R (currently running those on revalved bilsteins) are a bit more subtle. I love them, but it sounds like you want looks.

I don't know much about H&R, but I think they have a similar drop to the Prokit. Were these on the Kayabas or Bilsteins? Sure the spring was installed correctly?

 

The Prokit does have an aggressive drop, but they're a very nice progressive rate spring for the street. I honestly have no complaints at all; handle well and comfortable enough for DD. I've liked these springs on my X, Scheides' VIII, and my ex-wife's WRX.

 

Thanks for all the help and recommendations. The Eibachs seemed awesome and posed no issues for the first couple of months that I drove on them, though I do think the handling was decreased slightly. I had the 5 star shop in the bay area install them and a secondary shop inspect the install and both said everything was seated properly. The problem started after I installed 15mm spacers. So I took them off and the issue persisted. So I further went on to have the suspension reinspected and consequently reverted back to stock with no explanation of the now resolved knocking.

It looks like it may have been caused by rubbing, but is strange that it would only start after 15 to 30 minutes of driving only to disappear after the car was cooled. Should I have my shocks reinspected before investing in Swifts?

 

Basicly if you can see the shock in not leaking oil its fine, My Eibach springs have been problem free for me, quiet and comfortable. However I'm on the GSR Kyb shocks, I know someone reported that the agressive drop of the eibach blew there bilstein shock...

I'm going to be switching to bilsteins w/Swift Spec R's next week, as I think that will be a better handeling setup.

 

If you feel handling is diminished with the Prokits get the Whiteline RCK; the difference was night & day.

 

If you liked the Prokits put them back on. From what you said, this noise was caused by the spacers (bad idea anyway), not the springs.

 

RCK is kind of a must with the amount of drop on the Prokits, no? Could it be that was what he was hearing, some bushing noise in his a-arms?

 

Would the bushings make noise only after 30 minutes of driving. It seemed to be heat related. Even after the spacers were taken off the noise persisted.

 

The only reason it would be strut specific is if yours were blown. With that few of miles on them I doubt they were, but it is possible.

Definitely odd that it only cropped up after xx min of driving. Possible there is a defect in your springs? Have you inspected them?

 

I've had some of the same symptoms with my Eibachs also but the vibration and noise comes in around 5k rpm in higher gears. I've also a loss in some handling traits such as the turn in, more street, and less rotation, yet it's much more stable and than stock.

I have a RCK that's been sitting on my work bench about 4 months now as I found enough to it. A friend just installed one in his and noticed that the car doesn't return to center as well. Anybody else experience this with the RCK?