Bad strut mount/bearing?

[Tyler2]

I have at 2001 camry which I have been having rattling noise issue from for awhile. I just replaced front sway bar links and rear lateral control arms, which has fixed almost all of the noise issues, however there is still a slight rattle every once and awhile from the front drivers side over some bumps. I am thinking it may be the strut mounts/bearings as everything else seems to be tight and have no play. How do you tell if this is the issue? I thought I read somewhere that as you turn the wheel and look at the mount from the engine bay that the strut should rotate on a perfect axis with not side to side movement. Mine seems to wobble a little bit, is this most likely and issue?

Thanks in advance,

Tyler

[pmesfun]

I don't think there is a way to check strut mounts, but one way to make sure it probably is, is to check everything else. Control arms, sway bar links, ball joints and the inner and out tie rod ends.

[fenixus]

try tightening the strut rod nut (36ft-lbs), it's in middle of strut mount surrounded by rubber. if while tightening all the crap below starts turning with it, then the mount is definitely bad (rubber detached from the metal piece). it will clunk like hell if it is that bad, I had it like that on 5s-fe.

[JohnGD]

If that's the case look at Monroe QuickStruts with OESpectrum struts. In the US its about $125 per corner + shipping last I checked.

[WaxonWaxStillOn]

Originally Posted by JohnGD

If that's the case look at Monroe QuickStruts with OESpectrum struts. In the US its about $125 per corner + shipping last I checked.

And just to piggy back, currently by 4, get $125 back (rebate.)

[Tyler2]

Thanks for all the suggestions. I tried torqueing down the strut nut and it was not loose at all. The rubber didn't turn but it did kind of try and twist, not sure if thats normal. I took the wheel off and had another look at every thing. Like I said, sway bar links are brand new as of 3 days ago so thats not the issue. Sway bar bushings look good and the sway bar doesn't move at all. Toe links didn't look bad however i was able to rotate them pretty easliy and I could feel a bit of a metalic clunk when rotated as far as it would go. Does this sound like it may be an issue? Not sure how tight and easliy you should be able to rotate those. And as for ball joints, I am not to sure on how to check those.

Tyler

[Tyler2]

I think I maybe narrowed it down to the ball joints. I took a look at them and there is grease leaking out from around the boot. There doesn't seem to be play in it but I am thinking that since I am hearing it once in a while that it may have just started to fail and therefore there is not a noticeable amount of play at this point. Feel free to correct me if I am wrong but that is my thinking at least.

[JCamry94]

What kind of bumps are you talking about? Speed bumps (large) or just tiny bumps like on a highway?

Also what does it sound like is happening?

A way I have been able to check in the past is to hop on your front bumper and listen for the sound. If you don't hear anything chances are your struts, knuckle, sway bar are fine.

[Tyler2]

It happens mostly on smaller bumps, such as on uneven gravel roads and railway crossings. To me it sounds like a metallic rattle. I also get a shimmy/vibration at highway speed.

When I bounce the front I don't hear anything. Also I have noticed grease coming out of the ball joint boot. Based on my research and through talking to family friend who is a mechanic, I am pretty sure it is the ball joint. I am going to order them tomorrow and switch them out, hopefully that solves it.

Tyler

[JungleSuperlord]

if you don't mind me asking, how are you checking each of these things? only a visual inspection or using a more thorough method? I can get in depth with good ways to help verify things if you'd like.

[Tyler2]

I have been visually checking them as well as I have been grabbing on to parts and seeing if there is any play, ie up and down and side to side. I have taken the wheel and shaken it at 12 and 6 and as well as 3 and 9, I haven't felt any play in either direction but from what I have read that doesn't necessarily mean something is not worn out. Like I said the grease leaking out from around the ball joint boot started to tip me off on that possibly being the issue and when I mentioned it to my friend who is a mechanic he said that is a for sure sign that the ball joint needs replacing. Also, in my haynes manual it says that both the vibration and the clunking noise can be caused by the ball joint, so that combined with the grease leads me to believe that it the issue.

[jsroller]

also check your sway bar bushings had it happen on my car

[JohnGD]

Ball joints are checked with the the corner lifted so about 1/2 the load remains on the wheel. Then a pry bar is used to see if there is any visible movement on the joint (wedged against a wood block to protect the wheel especially alum). However, if there is movement it's already pretty bad. I'd keep an eye on things like wheel bearings and joints especially after 100-120K miles.

But if the boot is bad enough to leak grease then the joint's days are probably numbered from lack of lubrication.

Originally Posted by JungleSuperlord

if you don't mind me asking, how are you checking each of these things? only a visual inspection or using a more thorough method? I can get in depth with good ways to help verify things if you'd like.

[menthol]

i have dealt with the same issue recently, it's the ball joints. i tried most methods of inspecting it like nudging it, check for cracks and leaks. nothing. but decided to take it out anyway and check it. after i took it off the control arm and knuckle, it was obvious that it was busted because it was playing just by tilting it from side to side. replace it!