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fretburnr
07-07-2005, 11:09 AM
For the last week or two, i've had this "noise" from the right front of the car. I hate to say a "clunk" but thats what it is, over small or big bumps. Its driving me crazy as its getting worse and may be a serious problem

At first it was very occasional and non-repeatable, so i passed it off as loose stuff in the glove box or something minor.

about a week ago i noticed it getting louder and more frequent... and it seemed to affect the feel of the front end of the car. i methodically checked all of the front end components for tightness and wear.

(Just for informations sake, less than a year ago the car got new control arms, tie rods, CABs, balljoints, and engine mounts... then 4-5mos ago the h&r cupkit went in, with new front strut bearings and new tapercore RSMs.)

Last night i ran through it again; everything seems tight, nothing looks worn or broken, and nothing down there rattles or makes any odd noises when moved or smacked by hand. In frustration with the hood open i jounced the passenger side up and down, and i got loud squeaking with my signature clunk. Honestly, it sounds like the strut tower itself is flexing #-o I could be way off but its my last idea; however the strut tower and surrounding body dont show any signs of wear or fatigue, and the car is 100% rust free (arizona car).

:-k I'm scratching my head here... cannot for the life of me figure it out. Until now, with the help of these forums and the bentley, i could troubleshoot any problems i had. now i'm totally lost for an idea... help!

Doug Hitchcock
07-07-2005, 12:18 PM
Blown shock?

superj
07-07-2005, 12:18 PM
have someone bounce it while you look from the side to see what is making the noise.

fretburnr
07-07-2005, 12:31 PM
:-k i suppose it could be a blown strut... but the movement was properly damped when i jounced the car. plus, they're only a few months old.

i can't see any strange movement when i had my brother bounce the car either. just a noise that sounds like flexing/rattling metal

m3lawdawg
07-07-2005, 12:32 PM
Check the gland nut on the strut they can sometimes work loose.

Are you using stock sway links or other?

fretburnr
07-07-2005, 12:37 PM
Check the gland nut on the strut they can sometimes work loose.

Are you using stock sway links or other?

do you mean the top center nut that mounts the strut to the bearing (which is tight) or otherwise?

hmm... the swaybars/links are stock. seem in fine shape, and everythings tight ... but it could be. they're the last things that haven't been replaced.

m3lawdawg
07-07-2005, 12:41 PM
Check the gland nut on the strut they can sometimes work loose.

Are you using stock sway links or other?

do you mean the top center nut that mounts the strut to the bearing (which is tight) or otherwise?

hmm... the swaybars/links are stock. seem in fine shape, and everythings tight ... but it could be. they're the last things that haven't been replaced.

The gland nut is the piece that holds the strut in the tube.

Also look under the front of the airdamn, the car might have two horns one on each side they can work loose and rattle, that took us a week to find on one car.

stock bushings should not rattle unles loose at the control arm mount.

Check the steering rack bolts too

fretburnr
07-07-2005, 11:42 PM
The gland nut is the piece that holds the strut in the tube.

Also look under the front of the airdamn, the car might have two horns one on each side they can work loose and rattle, that took us a week to find on one car.

stock bushings should not rattle unles loose at the control arm mount.

Check the steering rack bolts too

tonight:

i checked the steering rack bolts, plenty tight. the horn was in place and not making any noise. But... i was able to tighten that gland nut about 1/4 turn, maybe more, tighter than it was. after a short test drive the noise seems abated but i'll drive more after cleaning up to see if that did it.

peerless
07-08-2005, 12:38 AM
The gland nut is the piece that holds the strut in the tube.



tonight:

But... i was able to tighten that gland nut about 1/4 turn, maybe more, tighter than it was. after a short test drive the noise seems abated but i'll drive more after cleaning up to see if that did it.

I had the exact same problem on my car on the drivers side. I haven't done the front struts yet, but when I do I am using lock-tite on that "Gland Nut"

later,

fretburnr
07-08-2005, 12:22 PM
awesome. after driving more last night and on the way to work this morning, the noise and clunk feel seem to be gone. in addition to tightening that gland nut /collar, i also gave the subframe-to-framerail bolts a little tap, to make sure they were tight (oh yeah) as a just-in-case measure.

excellent advice, thanks so much.. i was losing my mind trying to figure this one out!! =D>