Annoying Noise

[ottogaus]

My 98 is just about to reach 200k. Runs absolutely great, execpt for the clunk/rattle I get from the front end every time I go over a bump. Have replaced the front struts with Gabriel ReadyMounts (way overdue), and also replaced sway bar links, sway bar bushings and inner and outer tie rods. Help!! What else could be causing the noise?

[Jack Deth]

just a guess... how about an exhaust pipe rattling against the chassis? maybe because of a broken hanger.

[ottogaus]

I will check the exhaust pipes, but I really don't think that's the issue. Any other guesses??

[Jack Deth]

maybe a bad bushing in the control arm.

[kevdude]

I agree with JD, my control arm bushings were rattling like you-know-what for quite awhile before I got around to fixing them. Quiet as a mouse now!

[ottogaus]

Thanks kevdude and JD. Kevdude, were you able to determine the control arm bushings were bad and if so, how? Or did you just suspect them and change them??

[kevdude]

The dealer found them when I had it in for an alignment check. I replaced them with the polyurethane ones, got them at AutoZone I believe. Can get part numbers if you need them. If you're going to do it yourself, be prepared to spend a few hours on it. Pressing the bushings out and in took awhile, and you want to make sure you use the proper grease on them so they won't squeak. Getting the control arm back in place was "fun" too, as the new bushings won't flex much, and trying to get all the bolts put back in was a challenge. Good luck!

[pmesfun]

I found a couple of TSBs regarding front end noise, one as posted above was the inner tie rods, the other was the infamous strut mounts. I also agree on the lower control arm bushings, which I will be replacing when I go back to school. So far the struts and mounts have been replaced along with the sway bar bushings. Hopefully the Control Arms bushings solve yours and my problems.

[kevdude]

Guess I got lucky (so far) with not having bad shocks or struts. Probably should've replaced them when I had the control arms out. Now I'm hearing noises from the back, so I'm sure those bushings are about shot, too. Heard they're even more of a PITA to change!

[ottogaus]

Kevdude, can you please let me know what you used to remove and install the control arm bushings and any specific tricks you used to do so? Thanks!

[shark sandwich]

I changed my control bushings this summer with the ones from Autozone. When I loosened the control arm from the strut. They just fell down with no tension. My were shot. Just used a breaker bar and a pipe. I did have trouble finding someone to press the new ones in. Local tire shops would not even touch them. Finally found a Napa machine shop to do it. It was about thirty miles away. My local Napa said it couldn't be done. Which is two miles up the road. Putting them back in wasn't that bad. Just need a good long pry bar to push down on the control arm to line up the bolts with struts. Might need to check your ball joints as well.

[ottogaus]

Thanks Shark. Out of curiosity, how did you suspect or know you control arm bushings were shot? Any specific noises or handling issues??

[Jack Deth]

not for nothing, but rock has the control arm, complete with bushings and a ball joint, for 95 bucks.

[kevdude]

Pre-installed bushings are for wimps! (Just kidding). A friend has a machine press, and we fought with them awhile to get them in straight. All in all a good experience, but then again I like challenges! It would be easier to get the assembly like JD said, which is probably why the service manual says to change the whole thing! Party poopers!

[ottogaus]

Thanks JD. Am planning to have alignment checked tomorrow at which time the shop will also check all suspension components. Hopefully they can identify the source of the noise.