Hello Guys,

This weekend I put my car on jack stands and removed the wheels for cleaning. While wiping down the rear calipers, I noticed some metal-on-metal suspension component rub on both rears (see pics). The pictures show the right rear. Wear is also occurring in the exam same spot on the left rear but to a lesser degree. These pics were taken with the suspension jacked up as far as it would go before coming off the stand. I have noticed no symptoms while driving and tire wear appears fine. I am running ROW M030 springs and sways with Bilstein HD’s set at “ROW Sport” height.

Any thoughts on why this is occurring and how it can be fixed?

Thanks!

 

Your droplink mount is hitting the subframe under suspension compression. You either need to reorient your mount (tough to tell from that particular picture angle), or lower it on the shock body so that it doesn't rub.

If you choose to lower the mount, make sure it that the roll bar and droplink don't interfere with the toe link.

 

The perch for the rear sway bar drop link, is way off. Picture where the perch is on the shock. It should be straight at 90 degrees. facing straight at engine. Both drop links should be straight up and down.
Found the pic. See where the perch sits directly below the spring? It'll miss the subframe because it's in that pocket.
image.jpg

 

^^^What these guys said...

G$993,
I had exactly the same marking on the subframe, as you do but only one side. You are lucky, mine rotated enough to get under the rear upper arm (KT, I think) and put a nice curve into the arm when it contacted.

Time to break out the BFH (preferably a dead blow hammer) and possibly the Bilstein wrench if you need to loosen/tighten the above lock ring. Most likely, you can just rotate the mount with hammering on it to rotate the drop link mount towards the front of the car (into the gap referenced above). Once its positioned, tighten the lockring with the Bilstein wrench & hammer downwards onto the mount. Recheck that you can't get either to move after your are done using the BFH.

 

...with and when the car is on its four wheels.

 

Absolutely! But the perch should not move and only the drop links will "swing back" as the car is raised.

 

totally agreed, and agree

 

Thank you guys for the feedback. Sounds like the problem is over my head! Do you think this was an installation issue (suspension done 3 yrs ago) or can this geometry change occur over time?

 

It could be either or. It may have been in the correct position when installed but the lock ring to secure the drop link mount was not tight enough (much information on the issue) allowing it to move over time. I ran into this exact problem too when installing my PSS9's. What I discovered is that the single lock ring setup that Bilstein provides is inadequate and that a second one installed below the drop link mount to lock it more securely is one solution. I have seen people try to split the mount, drill and tap for a pinch bolt to lock it down but this leads to failure as the billets mount was never designed for this. Tarret makes what I feel is the most secure solution though its the most costly. If I had known about these when i did my installation I'd have gone that route. http://www.tarett.com/items/993-964-...3kt-detail.htm
Good luck getting it sorted out.

 

You are lucky it did not twist the other way!
Years ago I had the same problem. My mount twisted and rubbed against the passenger side driveaxle.
Cost me a driveaxle, wheel bearing and hub... :-(