Lowered car... now comes the clunking...

[askeramota]

Don't know, I think the konis are much shorter then stock or the kgb's because instead of getting a one inch drop, my car is dropped enough for my tires to nearly tuck (16s). I had it done at a shop and had all the rubber seats replaced with new ones, along with the rubber mounts for the strut mounts, and new bump stops.

My clunking only happens in the front, not rear. After looking under the hood during daylight, I'm already seeing small dents from where the adjustable ball joint is hitting the strut frame.

[askeramota]

Another thing I should add, and who knows if this is the real culprit, but before I changed my suspension I was hearing squeaks. I think it's my upper control arms going out (a common problem for high-mileage Sonata's).

Could a bad UAC be allowing too much play so that the UAC hits? Would just buying new ones actually fix the problem?

[askeramota]

Hey all, just posting an update.

I'm going to go ahead and replace my Upper Control Arm's because, well, they're squeaking and need to get replaced anyways. So hopefully that fixes the problem.

But when I was looking for a new UAC, I saw these online: Shark Racing

They are fully adjustable control arms, which would let me get rid of the adjustable ball joint that's reducing my clearance.

Does anyone have an opinion on using adjustable control arms?

[askeramota]

Hey all,

Thought i'd post a couple pictures of the car with the lowering springs in.





Ignore the fender scratches, I had a mishap last winter where my tire chains came off and scratched the **** up.

I took the car to the body shop today and they said it'd cost about $300 to cut and cap both strut towers to allow more clearance for the ball joints. But before I go through with it, i'm taking it back to the shop so they can double-check and make sure my UAC or something else isn't what's causing the clunk.

[NUMBER NYC]

Wow! Your pictures look GREAAAAT!

[riceR]

I see no pics...

[fedge]

Originally Posted by NUMBER NYC

Wow! Your pictures look GREAAAAT!

+1 never seen anything like it..

[SevenSonata]

Sorry to bring this thread back but I lowered my car with h&r lowering springs and called a local alignment specialist. He tells me that since its aftermarket suspension it will need extra adjustment and cost more. Is this correct or?

[alfu]

if they were coil overs that have more points to adjust and fine tune maybe. or if it were so low to the point it would require extra ramps, time, and effort to get onto the alignment rack.
otherwise go somewhere else. like most mechanics this guys a crook.

[askeramota]

Hey guys,

Took my car to the body shop and they banged some extra clearance on the strut mounts. It's a real clean job, and best of all, didn't require any cuts.

So far, no clanking in the front. I'll get some pictures up once the rain lets up in the rainy Northwest.

A lot of guys lower their cars and don't get adjustable ball joints. Some say it won't kill your tires too much as long as your toe is in order. I got adjustable ball joints so they could adjust my camber. Another solution is to get an adjustable upper arm on Shark Racing. I just didn't feel like ordering, waiting for the part, and then potentially finding out i'd still have clanking.

That said, I probably have to replace the bushings on my upper arms : )

Finally, alignment didn't cost anymore then it did before I lowered it.