New Front Struts and funky noise

[gottarollwithit]

So i just installed some new Tokico blues up front. Everything looked good, except for the lower coil spring absorbers - as in circular flab of rubber that goes between the coil spring and the strut base. On one of them had a 2 inch hole, and the other had a 1" tear in it. As ghetto as it is, i glued both back - sourcing a replacement locally right now is basically impossible. I was stuck and had to reassemble it b/c the car was needed.

I'm getting this metal on metal sounding clinking type noise from both sides of the front. It's pretty faint and only happens on contact with bumps in the road. Is this the kinda noise i get from dead rubber absorbers?


As far as i can see, the spring is basically stationary because it's under tension between the upper mount and strut base. Even when hitting bumps the spring shouldn't move or wiggle, right??? Based on this, why would the lower rubber absorber thing be even necessary?

Thanks!

[toyomoho]

The upper strut mounts are known to start making a clunking noise when going over bumps. the noise is like a knock.

There is probably some flexing/movement between the spring base and strut mount. The "gasket" prevents metal to metal contact and noise.

[Chris Crash]

Yeah I have the same problem. Just slapped on some new Monroe struts and didn't replace the strut plate, so it makes the same noise.

It should be relatively easy to fix. Three bolts up top to drop the strut, then I have no idea what to do hahahahhah

If you find out, please let me know!

[gottarollwithit]

Well, i looked over everything before i reassembled it. The upper mount, boot, bump stop, and metal plate beneath the upper mount that holds the bearing all looked good.

I guess this silly little clinking sound is from the spring rubbing on the strut base. I suppose it indeed does move a little on the strut base and the spring is not stationary....


As for disassembling all of this to get to the lower absorber thing that i have broken...

Take the three nuts off the top of the Mcpherson assembly. Take the two giant nuts off the bottom (above the lower ball joint) Take the swaybar link and abs sensor off, then remove the entire assembly. Compress the spring, take the strut nut off (the one in the middle of the 3 bolts) and disassemble the sucker.

[detay]

Strut mounts are the common problem. Original ones expensive but worth every penny of it. Changed the front ones on my wife's 97 Camry no more noise, changed all four of them on my son's 99 Solara runs like a new car.