HELP PLEASE!!! Loud metallic noise, driver side front, when going over any bumps, etc - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

RavenHawk · 09-20-2011, 01:06 PM

I am in desperate need of help on this one.
I have a 2000 Camry CE, about 140k miles on it.

On the driver-side front, whenever I go over a bump, pothole, anything like that, there is a loud metallic hitting noise (sorry, don't know how else to describe it). Basically, you would think there was a metal bar loose and hitting against something else whenever I hit a bump.

Recently, it got worse and now my car pulls to the right (opposite side from where the noise is).

I replaced the stabilizer bar rubber bearing on the driver side (though it was in perfectly good shape), and I just replaced the sway bar on that side. Both of these were recommended to me as possible fixes, and it hasn't made any difference at all.

Anyone know what the problem could be?

I really need help on this one, and the few professionals I've spoken to have absolutely no idea (though one suggested that maybe something where the driver-side shock mounts to the frame, by the engine?).

Thanks.

dcbc991 · 09-20-2011, 01:46 PM

Strut tower bearing? My Camry had a similar problem when I first bought it used in 1999, but I don't recall it affecting my steering.

RavenHawk · 09-20-2011, 02:28 PM

Strut tower bearing? That's a new one on me, but I'll look into it. Anyone else have anything like this happen?

This was going on for a solid few weeks, with no effects on steering. Then it suddenly got louder after one bad speed bump, and starting pulling to the right.

dcbc991 · 09-20-2011, 02:57 PM

Try this link to see a parts bom.

Like I said, mine rattled pretty bad whenever crossing railroad tracks and moderate bumps.

Also, did you check your strut mounting bolts? Maybe they worked loose and your strut is banging up and down within the mount. Good luck.

rebuy · 09-21-2011, 11:43 AM

Mine makes noise too, not all time but it is there.
Pulled both front tires and did an inspection, even had
the guys from next door inspect it too, they know more than me.
We went over both sides pretty good and could not find anything wrong.
Everything was nice and tight.
Guess I'll have to look some more but so far so good.
Car drives fine.

***fenixus*** · 09-21-2011, 11:46 AM

could be a bad ball joint? it connects the steering knuckle to the lateral control arm. bad ball joint (or loose LCA) could affect the steering (e.g. make the car pull to that side) when it shakes loose while driving over bumps.

WaxonWaxStillOn · 09-21-2011, 11:52 AM

Mine makes a lot of noise on any bumps, but doesn't affect the steering. I'm pretty certain the noise is from the rubber gaskets above and below the springs, which are clearly aged and crumbled (and the struts need replacing, making for more bounce.)

***fenixus*** · 09-21-2011, 11:58 AM

well, can't listen to the sound so can't really tell what it might be

last time I had bad strut mounts they sounded like a tin can full of marbles when going over any kind of road unevenness

it doesn't mean that such things will always sound the same way on every car though hehe.

RavenHawk · 09-21-2011, 11:59 AM

rebuy: Was your steering affected at all? Mine is pulling fairly significantly to the right, though this didn't start until a few weeks in, when the metallic noise got a bit louder (though it may be two coincidental and unrelated things).

fenixus: I don't know. Maybe. That hadn't been suggested to me by anyone. Would that make loud metal noises? Like it said, every time I hit ANY unevenness on the road, it sounds like there's a metal bar under the car banging around.

Waxon: I think this weekend I'm going to have to check that. I tried to look, but I assume I'm going to have to fully remove the shock to be able to get a good look at these? The thing is, someone suggested the shocks/struts (are they two words for the same thing, or am I an idiot?), and told me to check my pushing down on the car and seeing if it bounces, but it doesn't, they seem to be in good shape. Maybe that means it's the gaskets, but the spring is still fine?

Thanks everybody.

RavenHawk · 09-21-2011, 12:00 PM

fenixus: Bad strut mounts? So the strut itself was fine, just the mounts were bad?

***fenixus*** · 09-21-2011, 12:34 PM

well, it would be wise to jack the front of car up and check the lateral control arms and ball joint maybe... that could definitely cause the metallic banging.

other than that something in strut assemblies may be the root cause. if bearing in the strut mount was bad then you would hear horrible noise while turning wheels in a parking lot, so I doubt it... but it still could be a broken strut mount (rubber inside it can get separated from metal part on top which is held down by 3 nuts).

first try torquing down the strut mount nuts (29ft-lbs), they are 14mm usually.
you could also try torquing down on the strut piston nut in the center of mount, it's like 19mm or 24mm (can't remember) and calls for 36ft-lbs torque. if you can't tighten this one because everything below it spins together then the strut mount is bad and this is what clunks.

also, not sure if that is possible, but you could have a broken/cracked (e.g. when it gets rusted through) coil spring around the strut, it can make horrible noise when that happens.

edit:
yeah, strut themselves could be perfectly fine, but something around them may cause the problem.