Kamron Posted April 16, 2014 Share Posted April 16, 2014 Hi all, As a relative noob, the forum's been a valuable source for trouble shooting (and possibly saved a fair bit of fleecing from the local 'mechanics'). I'm hoping I can call on the more experienced owners for some informed pointers and/ or advice for my J-spec NA if possible? So...in summary; I've recently encountered the annoying knocking/ squeaking/ rattling (?) coming from the O/S rear. Having exhausted the search function for potential answers, I prepped myself with a few 'to do's. However, a recent visit to a few local garages has thrown the proverbial spanner in and confused this noob even more... So, to save some time, ramped up the car, and got the following out of the way; - Tailgate rubbers - checked - Tailgate (gas) struts - checked - Rear bushes - checked - Arms/ joins/ mounts - checked - Condition of coilovers - checked The low squeaking/ knocking seems to originate from the suspension top mount. The customary rear bounce check while stationary has been done. Also the noise is constant while in low/ high speed and not exclusively when hitting bumps/ humps. If anything, it's relatively louder on push off and coming to a halt. In order to determine the fault, I've visited 3 different garages...with 3 different diagnosis. 1. Replace rear top mount. 2. Replace rear coilovers. (Faulty?) 3. Replace rear diff. (Ouch...) As you can see, conflicting opinions! I'm aware an online diagnosis is not ideal, but I'd probably trust feedback from an experienced Supra owner on the forum slightly more than the mechanics I've spoken to! As repairs/ parts will be fairly costly, I'm hoping to get a little assurance prior to committing to any work which may or may not solve the issue. Any advice will be massively appreciated and make a new Supra owner eternally grateful! Thanks in advance. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Iky Posted April 16, 2014 Share Posted April 16, 2014 Did you check arb droplinks? If had one make a squeak, and on another car a tapping noise. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kamron Posted April 16, 2014 Author Share Posted April 16, 2014 Hi Iky, Pretty sure we went through the entire rear set up for wear and tear etc. while it was up. But I'll make a note of that and re-check tomorrow just to be certain. Out of interest, were the noises towards the top ie. predominantly top mount area 'ish? Thanks pal! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dnk Posted April 16, 2014 Share Posted April 16, 2014 (edited) Check the brakes, the brake calipers are prone to seizing, especially if you have the smaller j spec set up, 2 pot fronts and 1 pot rears as they're the sliding carrier type Edited April 16, 2014 by Dnk (see edit history) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kamron Posted April 16, 2014 Author Share Posted April 16, 2014 Hi Dnk, Rear discs, pads and calipers were recently replaced with brand new ones. But that's a relatively straight forward task. Added to my 'to do' for tomorrow...just in case! Thanks for that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kamron Posted April 16, 2014 Author Share Posted April 16, 2014 Quick query: Looking to shed any light re: the rear diff. option? Would a faulty rear diff. contribute to the symptoms listed in my first post? Struggling to find the correlation if the noise is focused mainly on the top rear O/S. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Elmo Posted April 16, 2014 Share Posted April 16, 2014 I've had the same problem for a long time but mostly N/Side, will be replacing shocks, springs and drop links soon, hope it solves the problem but I'm not holding my breath. Do you find it's worse at low speeds? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kamron Posted April 16, 2014 Author Share Posted April 16, 2014 Hi Elmo, Evidently I'm not alone with the issue! Process of elimination for now. Hope my list won't be as extensive as yours...gulp. The noise is quite consistent to be honest. Albeit the 'creak' is more pronounced on push off and coming to rest. It settles to an annoying rattle/ squeak/ knock combo when gathering speed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Elmo Posted April 16, 2014 Share Posted April 16, 2014 I've had mine up on the ramp a few times and checked everything I could think of, but nothing stood out, changed boot rubbers too but the problem persists, it is annoying. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kamron Posted April 16, 2014 Author Share Posted April 16, 2014 I feel your pain! Hope you get to the bottom of it. Let me know how you get on. Will advise if I find a fix my end. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Elmo Posted April 16, 2014 Share Posted April 16, 2014 Will do, probably be next weekend when I can replace the suspension parts but I will let you know if there is an improvement, I'll of course be interested to know if you suss it out! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Iky Posted April 17, 2014 Share Posted April 17, 2014 Hi Iky, Pretty sure we went through the entire rear set up for wear and tear etc. while it was up. But I'll make a note of that and re-check tomorrow just to be certain. Out of interest, were the noises towards the top ie. predominantly top mount area 'ish? Thanks pal! Probably not much help but it was hard to tell where the hell it was coming fom whilst driving. And with the car off the ground it was difficult to replicate. Only by replacing the cheapest thing first. I've learnt you can't always replicate the forces involved in road driving on a ramp. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris Wilson Posted April 17, 2014 Share Posted April 17, 2014 What rear dampers and top mounts does this vehicle have on it? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kamron Posted April 17, 2014 Author Share Posted April 17, 2014 Probably not much help but it was hard to tell where the hell it was coming fom whilst driving. And with the car off the ground it was difficult to replicate. Only by replacing the cheapest thing first. I've learnt you can't always replicate the forces involved in road driving on a ramp. Hmm. I'm fairly certain the noise I'm hearing is focused towards rear O/S. More pronounced near top mount. Bounced the rear a few times while stationery and a similar noise is present, albeit better heard from inside! Hence reluctance to settle for the rear diff option! Good luck with yours Iky. Be good to hear if you find a fix. Mine is doing doing my nut in!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kamron Posted April 17, 2014 Author Share Posted April 17, 2014 (edited) What rear dampers and top mounts does this vehicle have on it? Hi Chris. (So glad you've joined the thread...) It's currently on Apexi coilovers Type Pro/ N1. Similar to this (library image): Edited April 17, 2014 by Kamron (see edit history) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris Wilson Posted April 17, 2014 Share Posted April 17, 2014 Could be the spherical bearings in the top mounts, could be the damper(s) itself, lost their gas or just plain knackered. i would treat both dampers and top mounts as the MOST likely cause of noises. Possibly even the spring coils clashing, assuming they haven't just started doing this. Ican test or re gas the dampers, and examine top mounts. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kamron Posted April 17, 2014 Author Share Posted April 17, 2014 Could be the spherical bearings in the top mounts, could be the damper(s) itself, lost their gas or just plain knackered. i would treat both dampers and top mounts as the MOST likely cause of noises. Possibly even the spring coils clashing, assuming they haven't just started doing this. Ican test or re gas the dampers, and examine top mounts. Thanks Chris. Your explanation is certainly more in line with my own initial diagnosis. I'm fairly reluctant to settle with the rear diff option and (now) more assured it's a dodgy top mount! You'd definitely be my first port of call Chris but time/ location/ distance constraint doesn't quite permit. Any plans to relocate? Like...London?? Looks like I'll be adding more jobs on my 'to do' list. Pretty sure the dampers and springs are relatively healthy but will whip them out for a check just in case. Many thanks sir! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kamron Posted April 17, 2014 Author Share Posted April 17, 2014 Throwing out a query... IF it transpires that the top mount is done, can anyone advise if my rear set up (Apexi N1-Pro) can use inter-changeable top mounts? I have a feeling this is a discontinued line and may be a PITA to source replacement mounts. Any pointers towards a compatible option? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kamron Posted April 22, 2014 Author Share Posted April 22, 2014 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris Wilson Posted April 22, 2014 Share Posted April 22, 2014 The spherical bearings are most probably replaceable independently of the top mount plate itself. I would need a sample to check. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kamron Posted April 22, 2014 Author Share Posted April 22, 2014 Noted. Many thanks Chris. Might be getting back to you on this. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kamron Posted April 28, 2014 Author Share Posted April 28, 2014 Just updating the thread. So....had the Soop up on the ramp again today and proceeded to tick off suggestions (provided by members earlier in the thread). Rear suspension and drive train given a thorough (re)check and spent the day going through a process of elimination! What was left pointed to the following which now require doing; 1. Rear dampers on the way out. In particular rear O/S. Will need to be replaced/ re-gassed (Thanks Mr. Wilson). 2. Garage noted down 'rear susp. top radius arm'. (I assume this is rear upper control arm, in Supra forum parlance?) Informed it's just worn bushing, but am I correct to assume that an entire arm replacement is a better move? 3. Advised replacing drop links. Showing a little bit of play. (Thanks Elmo). On a separate note, noticed the rear diff is making a lot of noise and may be on the way out. Not directly contributing to the rear top suspension knocks/ squeaks, but may explain the initial diagnosis provided by the first garage I visited. (Yep. When it rains...etc. etc. ) Not as extensive as I had dreaded, but a PITA nonetheless. Will be putting up some 'wanted' bits in the correct section soon. Hope you guys might be able to help out. Thanks all. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Elmo Posted April 29, 2014 Share Posted April 29, 2014 Good job, at least you've narrowed it down to possible suspect or 3. Drop links are cheap, I bought a full set (front & rears) for £30 delivered off eBay, they look decent, I can send you the link if you want. I haven't had chance to replace the suspension and drop links yet, I'm doing it on the driveway so need dry weather, hopefully the sun will be out this weekend so I can crack on. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kamron Posted April 29, 2014 Author Share Posted April 29, 2014 Hi Elmo, Not a huge fan of eBay items, but if you're happy to recommend. Link would be appreciated? Here's to a sunny weekend! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Elmo Posted April 29, 2014 Share Posted April 29, 2014 Hi Elmo, Not a huge fan of eBay items, but if you're happy to recommend. Link would be appreciated? Here's to a sunny weekend! I know what you mean, but the seller seems reputable and the parts look decent quality, but I'm sure someone will disagree. Here's the link. http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/290809849016?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1497.l2649 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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