Lowering spring problems PLEASE HELP

[Swaggon]

So I recently lowered my second gen wagon on 2004 wrx struts with tanabe gf210 lowering springs. It's a great seatup but for some reason it's making all sorts of noises. After I got them put in they made popping noises when making tight turns at low or no speed. This I was told by many people was simply the spring getting "broken in" and settling in and after 80-100 miles it should go away which it in fact did. It made a few small creeking noises but nothing major. I went to have it aligned today and for the first 10 miles after getting it aligned it would do the popping again. However that ended up going away again but it still creaks. I looked at the springs while someone else turned the wheel and it doesnt seem to be binding up. The springs move freely while turning although with a bit of clicking and creaking. It appears that the struts and top hats are lined up right ( i believe) and the spring moves with them without getting bound up. Is it possible that it's the top nut being over tightened? it sort of feels that way like something is resisting the turning but it doesn't appear to be the spring. Please let me know what you think. I'm considering renting a tourque wrench tomorrow night and checking the top nuts. What would I tourque them too? Thanks!

[Wiscon_Mark]

Were the front tops brand new? Used? Used on your vehicle previously?

It could be bad bearings in the tops. I doubt you could overtighten the top nut, honestly.

[Swaggon]

Everything was brand new. It is interesting because when I make a tight turn the steering seems to stick to that direction. I have looked through a lot of stuff and have determined either the nut was not torqued to spec or what seems more likely is that the conical washer was put in upside down.

[dodik]

conical washer will do just as you described if not installed the right way, also are there rubber seats for the springs or is it metal on metal.

[Swaggon]

There are rubber seats on top. And as for the washer its only been on about 4 or 5 days now so should I be able to just pull it apart and flip it or is it likely damaged?

[dodik]

it shouldn't be damaged, if that is the culprit,or it may be something else entirely.

[Swaggon]

So there was the strangest development today. I decided since there was time to check the torque on the top nuts. They were too tight and so I loosened them and touqued them to spec. And the creaking went away Completely gone for about the first 43 or 4 miles and then it started up again and now it's back to the same amount. I have no clue how that works.

[meepers]

trunk monkey?

694

[Swaggon]

it is possible although as a wagon I probably would have noticed. Tearing it all apart tomorrow wish me luck.

[Huffer]

conical washer will do just as you described if not installed the right way, also are there rubber seats for the springs or is it metal on metal.

This. A bazillion. The alignment place should have spotted this immediately.