Front end noise

[GtariSSt]

Ok, so I 've got a noise in the front end that is getting worse. Kind of a knocking noise that seems to be coming from the drivers wheel/suspension/axle area. It's worse if the wheel is turned slightly to the left. If I turn the wheel slightly to the right, the noise disappears. Once I bounce off the curb, however, I am stuck once again turning the wheel to the left and the noise is back. Ideas? CV joint maybe?

[toyomoho]

Make 90 and 180 degree turns each direction and listen for a clicking/popping noise. This is a sign of a bad CV joint. The bad joint is usually on the opposite side of the direction of turn.

[Loganwiththe'93]

Sounds like a bad CV joint to me. If it's not the CV, maybe the tie rods or bushings. Just throwing things out there.

[GtariSSt]

When I did the brakes a couple months ago (it had the noise then, not as bad) I tried to check for suspension play in the front end and couldn't find any evidence of it.

[gonesurfing]

Also, check the front swaybar bushings. Mine exhibited a similar noise that worsened when the wheel when turned one way.

[GtariSSt]

Thanks, I'll check that out.

[CamBOT]

Same thing happened to me.

Turned out to be a busted CV boot and busted axel

[GtariSSt]

Originally Posted by toyomoho

Make 90 and 180 degree turns each direction and listen for a clicking/popping noise. This is a sign of a bad CV joint. The bad joint is usually on the opposite side of the direction of turn.

When I make the sharp turns, though, I don't get the clicking/popping???

Just when I am rolling down the road, most noticable around 40-45 mph.

[darksparkz]

Tighen the front strut mounts, the big bolts on top of the strut from under the hood.

Get under the car with it jacked up from the front and try to shake the front sway bar, see if you hear a clunk. Otherwise, maybe try to lubricate the front sway bar bushings with some white lithium grease.

[shovelhead]

I have a 98 camry that has had the clunking noise for a year. Started with changing struts with little change in noise. Next, I changed the bushings in the lower control arm on passengers side. Still no change with noise. Found a website that suggested replacing upper strut mounts. I had checked them while changing the struts and they looked OK. I changed the mount on the passenger side first and the noise was gone. I changed the drivers side a few days later and the clunking noise is gone completely. I found these parts on the internet for about 33 dollars each, "borrowed" the compressing clamps from a parts store and changed them in less than an hour. Not too complicated, just pay attention to the position of all the parts as you disassemble the strut.

[valiant1]

I constantly hear shaking sounds from the front of the car. I've had the car a year now and just recently changed my struts, all four. The sound is still there and has always been there since I got the car. My mechanic recently told me that I put on my struts wrong. Could this be the strut mount problem? Its such an annoying clunking, shaking sound, like something is loose on the suspension.

[BMR]

It could be strut mounts. When you replaced the struts, did you re-use the old mounts?

It's also highly possible it's the sway bar bushings or the sway bar links.

[valiant1]

No, sorry, I went the cheap route and kept the old ones! But I will change them tomorrow when I change my springs and lower the car. I changed the sway bar bushings thinking that was the issue..it wasn't. But now they need to be greased as well because they're squeeking when I turn.

[shovelhead]

Originally Posted by valiant1

I constantly hear shaking sounds from the front of the car. I've had the car a year now and just recently changed my struts, all four. The sound is still there and has always been there since I got the car. My mechanic recently told me that I put on my struts wrong. Could this be the strut mount problem? Its such an annoying clunking, shaking sound, like something is loose on the suspension.