Clunking Sound While Shifting After Installing BMR UCA & Adj. LCA's!

[Mattr89]

I just installed a pair of Upper and Adjustable Lower Control Arms from BMR. I got the pair for 60 bucks. I couldnt resist! I am going to get relocation brackets soon.

Well i used the stock mount for the upper, i reused both factory bolts on the top, one goes through the back of the UCA and the other goes through the mount on the top of the axle housing and through the forks of the UCA.

Then i installed the LCA's, they are the red poly bushings on one end, and then adjustable on the other(see pic below). Can this be pinion angle? From the pic below, i installed the red bushings on the frame side, and the adjustable end on the axle side. is this correct?

http://www.bmrsuspension.com/siteart...A021_large.jpg


It doesnt seem that there is an offset, the axle side of the LCA's are even spaced with no offset. I installed them, they were set up to the same length at the stock ones, may be slightly off.

i tightened everything down and now when i shift from 1st to 2nd, or 2nd to 3rd it clunks.

Like when i push the clutch in, and then shift and let off quick it makes a noise the seems to be coming from under the center console.



any help would be greatly appreciated!

 

[NEMustang]

I just installed a pair of Upper and Adjustable Lower Control Arms from BMR. I got the pair for 60 bucks. I couldnt resist! I am going to get relocation brackets soon.

Well i used the stock mount for the upper, i reused both factory bolts on the top, one goes through the back of the UCA and the other goes through the mount on the top of the axle housing and through the forks of the UCA.

Then i installed the LCA's, they are the red poly bushings on one end, and then adjustable on the other(see pic below). Can this be pinion angle? From the pic below, i installed the red bushings on the frame side, and the adjustable end on the axle side. is this correct?

http://www.bmrsuspension.com/siteart...A021_large.jpg


It doesnt seem that there is an offset, the axle side of the LCA's are even spaced with no offset. I installed them, they were set up to the same length at the stock ones, may be slightly off.

i tightened everything down and now when i shift from 1st to 2nd, or 2nd to 3rd it clunks.

Like when i push the clutch in, and then shift and let off quick it makes a noise the seems to be coming from under the center console.



any help would be greatly appreciated!

Did you properly adjust your pinion angle? My car had the same issue when I failed to properly tighten the adjuster and the UCA was too long...it would clunk.

 

[Mattr89]

Did you properly adjust your pinion angle? My car had the same issue when I failed to properly tighten the adjuster and the UCA was too long...it would clunk.

UCA is non adjustable, and i tightened everything down well. LCA's are adjustable as in the picture above.

 

[Mattr89]

this is my UCA, is this an improvement over stock for better 60 ft times? it says in the description that its not good for drag racing?

http://www.lethalperformance.com/su...tubular-upper-control-armpoly-bushings-p-9035

 

[Litebulb]

LOL spherical bearings are loud as shit. I have the Poly/rod end adjustable lowers with the spherical upper adjustable up and it is the second loudest part of driving my car over the exhaust. If you have spherical bushings and not poly there is going to be a lot more noise and "clanking" while driving. Hard shifting when i run at the mile brings this out a lot as well as cruising in 6th at 70mph, let off the gas and getting right back in it and its an even louder clunk. BMR told me if i was streeting the car more than anything to stick with poly bushings, if not go spherical all the way around.

Check pinion just to be safe, but they are noisey with rod ends in there. Sorry to be the bearer of bad news.

 

[Mattr89]

LOL spherical bearings are loud as shit. I have the Poly/rod end adjustable lowers with the spherical upper adjustable up and it is the second loudest part of driving my car over the exhaust. If you have spherical bushings and not poly there is going to be a lot more noise and "clanking" while driving. Hard shifting when i run at the mile brings this out a lot as well as cruising in 6th at 70mph, let off the gas and getting right back in it and its an even louder clunk. BMR told me if i was streeting the car more than anything to stick with poly bushings, if not go spherical all the way around.

Check pinion just to be safe, but they are noisey with rod ends in there. Sorry to be the bearer of bad news.

Aren't they supposed to make harmonics louder and slight noise? I didn't think chunking would be the case?

Also I made a mistake above, this is my UCA it's a poly bushing UCA

http://www.lethalperformance.com/su...tubular-upper-control-armpoly-bushings-p-9035

 

[Mike K]

I have rod ends in the rear and yes they make more noise all around. Its just the nature of them.

 

[Mattr89]

it seems i have my pinion angle at -2 degrees. but everytime i shift it clunks, and when i look at the "spherical" bushings on the "axle" side, the O shaped part of the axle bushing keeps moving side to side, as in the adjuster brass part is turning and as torque is applied and stopped (during shifting) it clunks and moves.

i have tightened the 2 nuts as hard as possible what should i do?


EDIT: i torqued the LCA's while the suspension is loaded. I torqued the UCA while suspension was free. The UCA is fixed NON adjustable. Is this correct?

 

[lindertw]

...I torqued the UCA while suspension was free...

UCA needs to be torqued down when suspension is loaded too...

 

[michael.konor]

Out of curiosity, do you have the stock driveshaft or a one piece aftermarket? If you grab the driveshaft and rotate it with the car in neutral and the parking brake set, how much play do you have? Does it clunk when you rock it back and forth?

 

[NEMustang]

it seems i have my pinion angle at -2 degrees. but everytime i shift it clunks, and when i look at the "spherical" bushings on the "axle" side, the O shaped part of the axle bushing keeps moving side to side, as in the adjuster brass part is turning and as torque is applied and stopped (during shifting) it clunks and moves.

i have tightened the 2 nuts as hard as possible what should i do?


EDIT: i torqued the LCA's while the suspension is loaded. I torqued the UCA while suspension was free. The UCA is fixed NON adjustable. Is this correct?

I sell and personally use these same LCAs (http://www.bmrsuspension.com/?page=products&productid=158)

There are two nuts...one must be properly torqued against the LCA itself and the other is locked against the adjuster. Where, exactly, are you getting movement? The adjuster is moving upon load? This should never happen. The primary purpose of the rod end is no movement. Is the movement in the rod end?

Dumb question, but do you have either the LCA installed backwards or the rod end bushings in the wrong sides? (Edit: noted that you have proper install of rod ends on axle side

 

[bigray327]

OP, I have the same problem, which I have been troubleshooting for years. It's weird how it sounds like it's the transmission or the clutch.

I have non-adjustable BMR lowers, a Granatelli adjustable upper, and the BMR upper mount. All have poly bushings. Pinion angle is -2 degrees.

Question: if you pump the clutch pedal around the sweet spot where it engages/disengages, do you hear the clunking? I do.

 

[Mattr89]

Out of curiosity, do you have the stock driveshaft or a one piece aftermarket? If you grab the driveshaft and rotate it with the car in neutral and the parking brake set, how much play do you have? Does it clunk when you rock it back and forth?

Stock driveshaft, there was no clunking with stock suspension tho, and when I go over bumps that are really rough and I get clunking.

Also at 60+ mph i can hear my rear end gears making a sound similar to the sound of a roots supercharger like a wood chipper just way quieter, it only happens when letting off 5th gear and coasting at that speed or just leaving I in 5th and letting the car slow down in gear

I sell and personally use these same LCAs (http://www.bmrsuspension.com/?page=products&productid=158)

There are two nuts...one must be properly torqued against the LCA itself and the other is locked against the adjuster. Where, exactly, are you getting movement? The adjuster is moving upon load? This should never happen. The primary purpose of the rod end is no movement. Is the movement in the rod end?

Dumb question, but do you have either the LCA installed backwards or the rod end bushings in the wrong sides? (Edit: noted that you have proper install of rod ends on axle side

The rod ends on the axle move over thr spherical bushing, from thr center 12 oclock position to 2 o'clock and then sometimes 10 o'clock like its clocking itself.

OP, I have the same problem, which I have been troubleshooting for years. It's weird how it sounds like it's the transmission or the clutch.

I have non-adjustable BMR lowers, a Granatelli adjustable upper, and the BMR upper mount. All have poly bushings. Pinion angle is -2 degrees.

Question: if you pump the clutch pedal around the sweet spot where it engages/disengages, do you hear the clunking? I do.

I hate these things right now, heavy bumps or acceleration is loud.




Also is there an advantage to having a non adjustable UCA? If so what does it do since it's not adjustable?

 

[Morris]

I also did the upper and lower arms and I too got the gear whine right after.

I also got a sound from the transmission area that sounds like brakes rubbing any time the car is in motion regardless of if it's in gear or not clutch in or not. If it moves it makes the rubbing sound.

I also get the clunk. Too me it seems like drive line slop, as if there is play in the drive shaft.

I should note I have the BMR non adjustable upper and non adjustable lowers. Pinion angle shouldn't be an issue as I'm not lowered yet. Soon I will do some drop springs and I'm wondering if I will need to change the arms?

Side note that nut for the upper mount under the back seat was so F*ing tight I just about gave up.

 

[Nastystang06]

Its the bolts that hold the UCA

The hole in the UCA isnt the same size as the hole in the mount
makes slack and clunks

They sell a bushing kit to eliminate this

 

[Nastystang06]

http://www.stangnet.com/mustang-for...-bushings-for-s197-upper-control-arms.730848/

Here is the fix

 

[Morris]

The gear whine is from the bushings then? Not sure what makes the other rubbing noise I have?

 

[Nastystang06]

Gear wine is probably pinion angle

 

[Mattr89]

Gear wine is probably pinion angle

what is the best angle to have?

also i put my magnetic angle finder on the pinion flange and took note, and then again on the rear section of the 2 piece driveshaft, took the angle.

subtracted angle from pinion off of the driveshaft and thats my pinion.

example:

+3 degrees on shaft - +4 degrees on pinion = -1 thats what i have is this correct?

 

[Mattr89]

Its the bolts that hold the UCA

The hole in the UCA isnt the same size as the hole in the mount
makes slack and clunks

They sell a bushing kit to eliminate this

i thought the hole was pretty much the same i could be wrong, isnt it the same?