Ground Control Noise Issues

[Black LS2 V]

Hey guys. Newbie here.

I did a search on this issue and couldn't find anything directly related. I had the Ground Control coilover kit installed ("Street Performance" version) about five months ago by a former Caddillac Technician.

On my way home from the install, I noticed the suspension made all kinds of disconcerting noises (sounded like the front wheels were about to fall off). The installer told me that the suspension just needed time to settle, so I lived with it for a couple of weeks.

The sound continued to be so obnoxiously loud, that I took it back to him and had him check everything out. He verified that everything was as it should be, sprayed some lube on the upper mount and lower spring seat and sent me on my way.

I also called Ground Control and emailed Mark (GC) some photos of the installed coilovers (never got a response back). I've called and emailed on other occasions as well.

It's been embarrassing to have anyone ride in my car because the damn thing sounds like Chitty-Chitty Bang-Bang and the passengers worry that the front end is going to fall off at the next stoplight.

I recently took it to another suspension shop, had them do a full alignment and forked over a bunch of $$ just to have them quell the noise, and it's just as bad as ever, and for some reason, gets even worse when the underside of the car gets wet (rain, carwash, etc.).

I love the way the car looks and handles, but the suspension has otherwise really soured the ownership experience. I can't believe how noisy it is and I'm put off that Ground Control has been so non-responsive.

I did see one thread about using washers on the rear suspension to take up slop, but the noise on my car is primarily from the front, and it sounds as if the springs are still not seated correctly or that there is still slop, and it's really bad at low-speed and when coming to a stop. Sometimes you can feel it moving around, too.

Please, if any of you that have this system can offer some advice, I'm all ears. I would hate to have to go back to stock ride height, but I don't know how much longer I can take the noise.

Thanks!

[tweeter81]

Myself and a couple of others here on the forums have had the same issue. To me it sounds like a horrible metal on metal grating sound which also only occurs for me if the car has been driven in wet conditions.

As a temporary fix I just spray liberal amounts of white lithium grease on upper spring mount/top of shock area and the sound disappears, until the underside of the car gets wet again. I actually got under the car last summer and retightened everything and made sure everything at least looked right and nothing looked out of the ordinary. I do not believe this is a big deal, it is just very annoying if you don't keep the area lubed up.

I was pretty vexed by this because I had my Ground Control setup on my car for a year or more and never had these sounds, then last summer after driving through a hell of a rainstorm I noticed the sounds the next day and I have been spraying the lithium grease ever since.

I hope this helps you out.

[thebigjimsho]

You're hitting the bumpstop on the driver's side. At least that's what happened to me. I had the GC installed for a couple weeks and was just leaving my house to drive to Michigan for a track day at GingerMan. We had some rain and as I got to the bottom of my street, I got that sound.

I took it back home, took of the driver's wheel and checked on things. Everything was tight. Took it to the shop and they needed a couple hours to take a couple things apart and found it was just the bumpstop. So adding grease quelled things. Every few weeks, I'd get under with a grease gun and added some blobs. It would take care of it every time. 4 or 5 applications over 2-3 months and I haven't added any since.

Now, I thought it was gone for good but I did notice a faint noise just a few months ago on a moist day. Since I drive with the radio on, I never heard it, it was so faint. Now, it's a non-issue.

[PISNUOFF]

The clunking you describe sounds different than the usual squeaking from the front. Post some pics of the assembly. How much do you have it lowered? Try taking off a wheel and man-handling the hub to see if you can hear where the noise is coming from.

Originally Posted by tweeter81

I was pretty vexed by this because I had my Ground Control setup on my car for a year or more and never had these sounds, then last summer after driving through a hell of a rainstorm I noticed the sounds the next day and I have been spraying the lithium grease ever since.

Originally Posted by thebigjimsho

I took it back home, took of the driver's wheel and checked on things. Everything was tight. Took it to the shop and they needed a couple hours to take a couple things apart and found it was just the bumpstop. So adding grease quelled things. Every few weeks, I'd get under with a grease gun and added some blobs. It would take care of it every time. 4 or 5 applications over 2-3 months and I haven't added any since.

You guys should look into getting a round needle bearing installed at the base of the springs. I have a set between the springs and the adjusting nut and have not heard ANY peep from the front suspension since. It's basically a thin needle bearing assembly sandwiched between two thin pieces of stainless.

[thebigjimsho]

Originally Posted by PISNUOFF

The clunking you describe sounds different than the usual squeaking from the front. Post some pics of the assembly. How much do you have it lowered? Try taking off a wheel and man-handling the hub to see if you can hear where the noise is coming from.







You guys should look into getting a round needle bearing installed at the base of the springs. I have a set between the springs and the adjusting nut and have not heard ANY peep from the front suspension since. It's basically a thin needle bearing assembly sandwiched between two thin pieces of stainless.

Got any diagrams for us dum dums? I may indeed try that since I need to replace my shocks and wheel bearings this spring...

[ctsv154]

pics??

[ESPVee]

Just go to summit and look up torrington bearings.

[PISNUOFF]

Look for cylindrical Roller Thrust Bearings. Here is a pic of what it looks like. I got it off the Timken website. I packed mine with wheel bearing grease.

[ctsv154]

I know what a torrington looks like. I want to see its application in the V

[PISNUOFF]

I can get a pic of it on the assembly. Gotta go to my shop and do a little work anyhow.

[thebigjimsho]

Originally Posted by PISNUOFF

I can get a pic of it on the assembly. Gotta go to my shop and do a little work anyhow.

Kewl!

[ctsv154]

Thanks! That would be sweet! Have a pretty good idea but since I dont have gc yet it would be nice to have as a reference.

[PISNUOFF]

Here's the pic. It's only about 1/8" thick and there's some dirt stuck to the grease.

[Black LS2 V]

Thanks for the replies everybody.

I'll have to look into roller thrust bearings - that sounds like it could cure the problem as the some of the noise gives me the impression that the front springs aren't seated properly.

In response to your question PISNUOFF, the car is sitting right around 26 7/8" at all four corners, which is what I understand to be GC's recommended ride height (measured all four corners last weekend). If I get a chance during the week, I'll try to snap some pics and post 'em for better detail.

Again, I really appreciate all the replies. I'll keep you all updated once I get a chance to get those bearings up front and the washers in the back.

[rand49er]

Ground Control has about the lamest customer service in the world. You're not alone, if that's any consolation.

Oh, and I heard that metal-on-metal grating one time, just once. Made my eyes as large as saucers when it happened, too.