New RX-8 Owner - Help with Suspension Clunks

[JJ_ONeill]

Hi everyone!

I’ve wanted an RX-8 for ages now and now I’m no longer commuting 30 miles each way every morning I figured I’d take the plunge. The car I bought was a Velocity Red 2007 car with 50,000 miles. Of 6 cars I saw and test drove, it was the only one that felt lively and revved freely right up until redline. It has had some issues, so since I bought it in March it’s had new coils, leads and plugs, a new sports cat, new air filter & cabin filter; engine, diff and gearbox oil changed straight away and it seems to be really healthy with good compression and a great drive all round. I will admit I’m a little OCD with things like maintenance, so some of things didn’t need replacing, but I like to know it’s been done since my ownership, you know?

The back end did feel a little loose and after inspection I found a broken rear spring. I therefore recently had all 4 springs changed out for Tein S-Tech lowering springs. I was going to go full coilovers, but the stock shocks are fine and it’s my daily driver so I do t want anything g too aggressive.

Since I’ve had the car back it’s developed a god awful clunk coming from the drivers side front strut. I’ve inspected and found that without the wheel attached and the car on jack stands I can rattle the strut with just two fingers. It seems crazy loose, and I’ve noticed there’s a gap of maybe 5-7mm on the passenger side and no gap at all on the drivers side. I’m struggling to include pictures to highlight this but I have a few plus a video that shows the rattle.

I’m thinking it’s a worn strut mount, am I right in thinking this?

Sorry if I don’t know proper terms for these components, if it’s one thing I really hate, it’s suspension! Any advice appreciated!

Best regards, JJ

[goodeggbob]

Is all this play at the top or bottom of the strut?

[Conan]

Hi and welcome to the forum
Take it back carefully to the people who fitted the springs immeadiately as it sounds dangerous.
Regards
Pete

[GreySilver Beast]

Hi & to the RX-8OC


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[Shagrington]

Take it back carefully to the people who fitted the springs immediately as it sounds dangerous.

Hi and JJ and

[JJ_ONeill]

Thanks for the warm welcome all, and for the advice.

Is all this play at the top or bottom of the strut?

The play is all at the top end.

It’s going back to the place that fitted it so they can have a look. They’ve said it’s likely that some sort of rubber in the top strut mount has failed? Not sure how accurate that is as I’m not able to take it apart at home.

I’ll let you guys know what it is when I find out. Thankfully the garage is literally a mile down the road from me so I’m sure I can limp it there.