Clunky Suspension

[03UFO]

Hi Im new to this forum.
Can anyone help with my Atom 3.5 clunky Bilstein suspension, which Im heartily sick of. Some say its a feature u have to live with. I find it hard to believe that anyone would design a car with this kind of racket as standard. Ive done a search here but no real luck. One member I discussed this with said Ohlins are the answer - but Seriously pricey.

Ariel factory swapped the springs for dual rate - so no little red helper coils now, but its no better.
Winding up the dampers helps a bit, but its still not right.

Who wants to drive a car when it clanks every time one goes over a hole in our lovely well maintained roads…

Really hope someone can help with this.(For less than £5k!)
Best regards
Richard (User ID 03UFO)

[smokin]

Hi, the only noise I ever had with my Bilsteins came from the red coils slapping together, and this was solved by the addition of silicone rubber rings. Have the factory checked for play in the bell cranks? I really can't see what else it can be (if it's definately coming from the suspension)

[03UFO]

Hi Smokin
Have had the factory check the whole thing - They swapped the standard springs for dual rate coils with no red helper springs. This didnt improve things at all. I was also told later via the forum that there is no cure for the problem except possibly five thousand pounds worth of Ohlins...

How did yr solution work - Do have any pics/details?
Best regards
Richard

[smokin]

How did yr solution work - Do have any pics/details?

Here are two threads on the issue (second has picture of fitment). If you're running without the red springs then this isn't going to help as this solution stops them clattering

https://www.ariel.club/forum/viewtopic.php?t=14829
https://www.ariel.club/forum/viewtopic.php?t=14633