Danged Suspension Noise!

[ottogaus]

98 with 201k is giving me fits with suspension noise (front only). Replaced sway bar links and bushings. Replaced struts and mounts with Gabrile ReadyMounts and now have a rattle every time I go over even a small bump. I suspect the struts and/or mounts but am not sure. Anyone have experience, good or bad, with Gabriel ReadyMounts? Any ideas on the source of the rattle and how to fix??

[ThisBloodIsFake]

it may sound stupid but i had a noise that drove me nuts and turns out the bolts for my caliper mustve rattled out. it drove me crazy until i noticed it. replaced the bolts put some locktite and problem solved. its probably not your problem but it wouldnt hurt to look ya know.

[pmesfun]

Check all bolts/nuts in that area are tight. I have a clunk problem which I'm hoping is the control arm bushings.

[ottogaus]

Thanks guys. I will check that everything is tight including caliper bolts, though I believe it is. If that's the case, any other ideas and any opinions on the Gabriel ReadyMount struts?? Thanks!

[pmesfun]

I doubt it is the struts, but it could be the strut mounts. I have new rear struts and mounts(installed yesterday) they are very harsh right now but the mounts don't make noise, only when going over a bump(rubber needs to settle), and 1 year front struts and mounts. In my theory if the front and rear have the same mounts and struts, but the front is making clunking noises if must be the front control arm bushings.

[fourwheeler]

there was a thread a while back where someone installed brand new quickstruts and the top nut was loose from the manufacturer causing a clunking sound when going over bumps. You might want to ensure the top nut is tightened to specifications.

[ottogaus]

Thanks everyone. Checked caliper bolts - tight. Checked top nut on struts - tight. Original struts in back and new Gabriel ReadyMounts on front so don't believe it is control arm bushings. Any other ideas? Crappy mounts on the ReadyMounts???

[pmesfun]

I thought my clunking was the stiffness of the KYB-GR2s and KYB mounts in the front, but after I installed new KYB Excel(GR2) struts and Moog Strut mounts in the rear, once the rubber and struts settled the rear end is silent, unlike the front end. I can feel the clunking along the frame, lowest part, so that makes me feel its the control arm bushings, since everything else is farily new in the front. It even made this noise after the front strut and mounts we replaced at the shop right when I went over a bump, the same noise that I still have today.

I may replace the endlinks with Parts Express brand from Oreilly which are made by MOOG, just to see if thats the problem since they're cheap. But I am replacing the control arm bushings maybe in 2 weeks, so I will let you know if that's the problem.

[ottogaus]

Thanks pmesfun. Assuming you are only going to replace the bushings and not the entire control arm, how are you planning to remove the old bushings and install the new ones if I may ask. I have heard that is very difficult to do without shop equipment.

[pmesfun]

Originally Posted by ottogaus

Thanks pmesfun. Assuming you are only going to replace the bushings and not the entire control arm, how are you planning to remove the old bushings and install the new ones if I may ask. I have heard that is very difficult to do without shop equipment.

I take an auto tech class at school, so I have access to a press and many tools.

[tacosteelersman]

I feel when banging can be heard on every little bump the swaybar bushings are the cause of the noise. Find a friend and let them bounce the car slightly and you can grab the bar and feel for looseness..

[American Pie]

I replaced my rear sway bar bushings but then noticed I also had some clunking in the front so I decided to change those too. Turned out that one of the bushing brackets was actually BROKEN in two pieces, at the tang where it bolts onto the frame. In other words, it was only being held in place by one bolt and was therefore flopping around. A new bracket (and bushings) cured the noise problem.

BTW, those rear bolts holding the brackets weren't very accessible; quite difficult to get a good turning radius with a wrench on them because they're so close to the firewall. Every once in awhile when working on this car I see an example of poor design like this, which is kind of surprising coming from Toyota who's known for great engineering.

[pmesfun]

I wished the sway bar bushings fixed my stupid noise.

[fourwheeler]

So I have a question for you pmesfun: you noted when you replaced your struts with the KYB excell struts and noted they were stiff. Would you buy them again, or go with something else? Also, how were the springs on the rear. With the car bottoming out, I was betting money they needed to be replaced along with the struts.

I'm looking at doing that job this spring when it warms up here and the snow melts and I am very tempted by the monroe's quick strut with all new parts. All of those parts add up quickly if replaced separately.

[pmesfun]

Originally Posted by fourwheeler

So I have a question for you pmesfun: you noted when you replaced your struts with the KYB excell struts and noted they were stiff. Would you buy them again, or go with something else? Also, how were the springs on the rear. With the car bottoming out, I was betting money they needed to be replaced along with the struts.

I'm looking at doing that job this spring when it warms up here and the snow melts and I am very tempted by the monroe's quick strut with all new parts. All of those parts add up quickly if replaced separately.

Yeah I would, they have settled now and the feel fine. The ride is just firm and tight, which I like. The springs are fine too, no sagging and is now level with the front.