Ohlins Coilovers

[Marko R1]

hi guys,

i am running ohlins coilovers in my r32gtr & have noticed a small knock when i drive over small bumps. ive been told they are spherical bearings which sit in the top hat...does this sound right?

if so, what is my best option to source these bearings as 'apparently' they are imperial & not metric in size, which makes them hard to get.

thanks.

[bigmikespec]

Pull the coilovers out Marko and have a look at what type of bearing they are; I cannot imagine imperial being harder to get, would have thought the opposite really?

Are you sure it is the tops and not anywhere else? Do you have other rose jointed suspension arms?

[Marko R1]

i cant remember what the seller told me tbh - it was either imperial or metric in size

all the rest of the suspension is stock.

i actually jumped in the boot whilst my brother was driving slow over bumps & 100% u can feel the knock thru the top of the coilover itself travelling through (its only a slight knock but enough to drive Are you positively annoyed friend?), now whether its the top hat spherical bearing or something else, i'd like to determine this myself & if i cant find the source of noise i'd need to take the coilovers to a suspension specialist

[Beer Baron]

yeah it's quite possible it's the bearing in the top mount. they do wear out and yes they can knock. it could be the shock itself but my guess if the diagnosis was right. it should be replaceable but if not at worst you're up for a pair of new upper shock mounts (not a big expense).

[Marko R1]

thanks richard - i'll pull them out & check out where the noise is coming from once i remove the tension from the coilover (i.e. take out spring) then i'll have a good idea where the noise is coming from exactly

[djr81]

thanks richard - i'll pull them out & check out where the noise is coming from once i remove the tension from the coilover (i.e. take out spring) then i'll have a good idea where the noise is coming from exactly

Just keep in mind that removing the spring tension wont remove all tension from the shock as there is the internal gas pressure forcing the thing apart. So make sure you have some decent pry bars to get the things out.

[Marko R1]

i have a spring compressor kit

[djr81]

You are missing my point.

Even when the spring is fully compressed the gas pressure within the shock absorber will force the suspension onto full droop. It takes a bit of force to compress the shock absorber on its own.

[Marko R1]

ok - if you're referring to the shock itself, can i push it down once the spring is out? i did this with my koni shocks & factory gtr shocks a while ago, just need to apply body weight & it eventually collapses

[djr81]

ok - if you're referring to the shock itself, can i push it down once the spring is out? i did this with my koni shocks & factory gtr shocks a while ago, just need to apply body weight & it eventually collapses

Yes but that isnt going to tell you anything about the state of the top bearing.

If that is the noise it happens when the wheels goes down into a pothole or an undulation. The top mount of the damper shaft then gets unloaded and when the load comes back on (ie the wheel gets to the bottom of the pothole) the top bearing goes clunk.

[Marko R1]

exactly - so if i take the spring out, i think i can simulate the sound of the top bearing by wiggling it around with sharp movements, that is, if the noise is coming from the top bearing as the seller of the car told me that he had the coilovers rebuilt not long ago

[djr81]

exactly - so if i take the spring out, i think i can simulate the sound of the top bearing by wiggling it around with sharp movements, that is, if the noise is coming from the top bearing as the seller of the car told me that he had the coilovers rebuilt not long ago

Yeah maybe. Dont mount the shock on the bottom eyelet & see if you can move the shaft around where it goes through the top plate.

Just understand that a fair bit of force is present when you drive around on the road & FFS dont do this with a car on a jack.

[Marko R1]

i took the rear coilovers out, removed the springs & its definitely not the shock itself - i could push it in all the way & when it extends to the top there is no movement at all

i couldnt really get the top bearings to make noise as they tight - it is like a round bearing which sits inside a bearing cylinder...is this what ppl refer to as pillow ball joint? is it normal for them to make a bit of noise as i have heard that these can be noisy & maybe not ideal for the street...

anyway, i took accurate measurements with my vernier & it all measures in metric (mm). where the hell do i find replacement bearings now?

[Marko R1]

here are some pics - is this a spherical bearing or pillow joint bearing - i have nfi

[ezy_09s]

Marko, pillowball joint aka spherical bearing aka rose joint .

Try holding the bearing in a vice with soft jaws with just enough force to hold it firmly without squashing it out of round & then get a tyre lever or something under the eye where the shock would pass through it and apply a little bit of force see if you can feel any play in it.

btw, being an NMB bearing it should be easy to match up a replacement if need be..just go to CBC bearings.

Does it have a part number on the bearing ?

[Marko R1]

there is no part number which i was looking for but i have all dimensions required

[R32Abuser]

Step one: Open PDF I have attached.

Step Two: Get dimensions I have outlined in red

Step Three: Go to http://www.skf.com/skf/productcatalogue/jsp/extra/menuProductTables.jsp?link2=3_1_10a&maincatalogue=1〈=en

OR Althernatively go to your local CBC and get them to find you the bearing equivelent to this one you have removed

Step four: Either install (press this bearing into its original position) yourself, or take it to a mechanic who can

Step Five: Enjoy

Cheers

Minimum bearing dimensions to determine part #.pdf

[Marko R1]

thank you - those are the exact 4 dimensions that i took

the bearings are not press fitted, instead it is held in the alloy top hat with 6 allen keys but that seems snug

[R32Abuser]

Sounds about right.

Either way, unless the bearing (when taken out of the shock like you had it in the picture before) has free play in it, then I dont think the knock will be as a result of the bearing.

Id be inlined to check the retaining "top hat" or surrounding fasteners/locators.

Cheers,

David+

[Marko R1]

Sounds about right.

Either way, unless the bearing (when taken out of the shock like you had it in the picture before) has free play in it, then I dont think the knock will be as a result of the bearing.

Id be inlined to check the retaining "top hat" or surrounding fasteners/locators.

Cheers,

David+

i went to cbc & the bearing is $120 each! madness!

the new bearing was much tighter BUT even the guy @ cbc thinks that the noise may not be the top bearing...since pulling out the suspension & putting it back in the noise is not as evident.

anyway, ill take it to heasmans here in syd & they can check it out - might be something stupid