E90 Drop Hats making noise. help!

[Mike_z]

Hi guys,
I'm having an issue with the e90 drop hats that I recently put into my e30.
I lowered the car on H&R Race springs and Bilstein sport shocks and wanted just a tiny bit more low in the front. I researched these e90 top hats and had my friend mechanic install them with me.

The problem I'm now having is that the there is noise on turning the steering wheel. What it sounds like is the spring moving around as I turn the steering wheel. I listened from the outside as well while he would turn the steering wheel and it sounds like the spring is being.. strained? or moved around in there.

Now the question is, is there anything I can do about that? From what I've seen people didn't have much problems with this. It bothers me because you can not only hear it from the outside but you feel it in the steering wheel when the spring moves. If not, then I'll simply install the original top hats into the car.

Thanks, Mike

[Mushroom Stew]

Bumping this because I'm curious whether you were able to fix the problem? I'm thinking of running drop hats with the same shock set up and Eibach springs.

[FireFight]

the popping sounds isnt because the hats, i have had them in alot of cars, its because

A) you tighten the top nut to tight so the spring plate cant turn with the assem. as you turn you wheel so the spring skips on it
B) You forgot a washer so he spring plate cant turn with the assem. as you turn you wheel so the spring skips on it
C)you didnt put the spring pads in and or didnt put the hat in the correct spot

If its not a popping boinging sound and more that the spring is loose and moving around then you top hat isnt tight enough

[akorcovelos]

B) You forgot a washer so he spring plate cant turn with the assem. as you turn you wheel so the spring skips on it

[DRTSRFR]

Here we go again!;)

Check the diagram in my signature for orientation of the washer.
For some reason it is forgotten regularly.

[King Mufasa]

Is number 4 on the diagram important as well?

I lost #4 on mine and just assembled it without them..

[jeffnhiscars]

Is number 4 on the diagram important as well?

I lost #4 on mine and just assembled it without them..

Without even looking at the diagram I'm going to take a wild guess and say...yes it's imprtant

[getouth]

I was iffy about drop hats because of this thread, installed mine 2 months ago and no issues I could t be happier

[DRTSRFR]

Is number 4 on the diagram important as well?

All stock hardware should be re-used.

[Swendog]

Ditto. Make sure to use all stock hardware (it's a good idea to use new locknuts) and don't forget the washer. Make sure the hats rotate freely. I put mine in a few months back with Billy Sports and H&R Sports and have had no issues whatsoever. Swen.

[Northern]

either wrong washer stackup, or your strut mounts are old and saggy so the drophat hits them.

[grinchxvx]

Anyone just used any old washer instead of the BMW part number? I recently did springs and now I'm getting that "boing" sound when I turn at low speeds. Pretty sure I didn't do the washer stack right or don't have anything between mount and drop spring

[SkiFree]

As long as the ID fits snugly around the shaft and the isn't larger than the outside of the strut mount bearing.