AST Spherical RSM's - real world experience?

[PannikAttk]

So who can tell me just HOW noisy these things are? I'm running true GAZ coilovers on the rear (no inboard spring) and I'm not too confident about the JT RSM's that I'm running. They seem fine, but they squeak like crazy so I have a feeling they're being stressed too much.

I'd like something stronger back there, especially since I'll be swapping the motor to an S52 soon. I also don't want to increase the noise since this is a street car.

I've read that AST makes the quietest of the spherical RSM's. Is this true?

Thanks

[SkiFree]

The reason a spherical bearing would be quite is that it would have a teflon ring to separate what would typically be a metal to metal contact (and thus the noise).
If you look closely at the picture here http://vorshlag.smugmug.com/Product-.../DSC2194-L.jpg , you'll see the teflon (or rubber in this case?) ring in the bearing itself.

ANY rear shock mount using a teflon lined spherical bearing is going to be quieter, AST or otherwise.

Also keep in mind that if your planning on switching to a spherical bearing-type mount that all the road vibration wont be dampened as much as if it were through, say, a urethane bushing. Therefore the life of a spherical bearing is measured in hours/ race seasons. The issue is going to be magnified if this is going to be driven on the street vs. a smooth racetrack. In this case, while the part might be stronger, it does not mean it will last very long.


Frankly, it sounds like your simply due for some new replacement bushings.

[PannikAttk]

The reason a spherical bearing would be quite is that it would have a teflon ring to separate what would typically be a metal to metal contact (and thus the noise).
If you look closely at the picture here http://vorshlag.smugmug.com/Product-.../DSC2194-L.jpg , you'll see the teflon (or rubber in this case?) ring in the bearing itself.

ANY rear shock mount using a teflon lined spherical bearing is going to be quieter, AST or otherwise.

Also keep in mind that if your planning on switching to a spherical bearing-type mount that all the road vibration wont be dampened as much as if it were through, say, a urethane bushing. Therefore the life of a spherical bearing is measured in hours/ race seasons. The issue is going to be magnified if this is going to be driven on the street vs. a smooth racetrack. In this case, while the part might be stronger, it does not mean it will last very long.


Frankly, it sounds like your simply due for some new replacement bushings.

Appreciate the response. The JT's only have about 2k miles on them, so I doubt they're failing. What's strange is that the squeaking didn't start until maybe 500 miles after installing the coilovers. I'm thinking it could be the other parts of the suspension, like the TA bushings (which are likely 20 years old).

I might just start to swap out all of the necessary bushings on the car to see if the noise goes away. It's quite embarrassing cause it's loud as hell.

[burkey001]

Yes, I have AST RSM's.
They seem good to me, no noises

[PannikAttk]

Yes, I have AST RSM's.
They seem good to me, no noises

What coils are you running? Are they a true coilover on the rear or do they have inboard springs like factory? Thx for the response.

[110stx]

I've been running AST 5100s with spherical RSMs on a combo DD/autoX car for three years.

No noises. No problems.

d.hitchcock

[GotCone?]

I've been running AST 5100s with spherical RSMs on a combo DD/autoX car for three years.

No noises. No problems.

d.hitchcock

^^ This... they are silent. The only thing that you could experience is a little more road noise, but you won't hear it from the rear if you have a back seat and the front will be marginal given the proximity to the front strut towers from the passenger compartment.

[tttoon]

Same here. True coilover rear, no added perceivable noise/squeaks. And the back seat does indeed make a world of difference, but with it removed all I hear is my diff.

[PannikAttk]

Thanks for all the feedback fellas...gonna pull the trigger. Is Vorshlag the best place to get them?

[pr0craztinazn]

I'd give Elephant Motorsports a call.

[modernbeat]

The ones that Vorshlag sell use the same hardware and spherical that Vorshlag put in their camber plates. We just get the aluminum housing from AST.