mike171562

iTrader: (4)

I have been trying to troubleshoot a very annoying clunking/rattling sound coming from my front right wheel somewhere. It seems to be at the worst when I'm driving slow in my neighborhood or in parking lots on uneven roads. I put it on ramps and got under it and inspected everything the best I could, pushed and pulled on my tie-rod ends, steering rack, shocks everything looks and feels solid.

With the car jacked up I tried grabbing the wheel and getting it to move up and down or side to side, but it's solid as well. I can't see any obvious worn bushings . What the hell is causing this sound. I'm thinking about just taking it to a shop, will they charge me for looking at it and letting me know if anything needs to be replaced and what's causing this? Anyone ever had this problem? Thanks.

I thought it might be the wheel bearing, but the other day, i took off the wheel and removed the calipers and rotors and the bearing spins just fine and there is no play.

fleetmgr

The usual cause for this is bad bushings (control arm, sway bar end link, shock). It can also be a bad ball joint if they get really bad.

Yes, the shop will probably charge you. Time = money.

mike171562

iTrader: (4)

whats the best way to test the bushings? I can only hear it when the car is moving.

99Bluz28

iTrader: (35)

Your upper shock mount nut is likely loose.

Jack the passengerside front up until the wheel is at full droop, remove the wheel and place a jack-stand under car. Now now place your Jack under the lower control arm ball-joint, now carefully look for a gap, or lack of between the bottom of the upper mount and the very top of the shock dust boot assembly start slowly raising the lower control arm with the jack while looking is the above area. If the gap changes noticeably then you upper shock mount nut is likely loose. For a better reference do the same to the driverside first, then the passengerside.

Emulsifide

iTrader: (22)

Use a pry bar. Think about how much weight your suspension supports. You said you grabbed a bunch of components and I would assume wiggled them. That will only work if your parts have worn down to the absolute worst case.

mike171562

iTrader: (4)

Thanks for the tips, will work on it this weekend

99Bluz28, I'm going to try that, Do i have to take off the shock to tighten it?

99Bluz28

iTrader: (35)

Yes, you'll have to remove the shock/spring assembly to tighten it.

BCKNBLK

iTrader: (3)

for some reason that shock nut rusts out bad,, water sits right in there. I took mine off a few weeks ago and the nut was compleatly eatn away,, had to cut the shock off and replace them.
But I would bet your end link on your sway bar is broke or loose on one side. Also check your lugs,, sounds stupid but better safe then sorry.

mike171562

iTrader: (4)

Well, I took my shock out over the weekend, the rust wasnt bad at all, but the nut that sits on top was stripped inside and just slid up and down on the threads, also I could easily push and pull the piston in and out of the shock, I guess its time for new shocks.

BCKNBLK

iTrader: (3)

i was told also the lower control arm bushings are prone to go also,,, Ive never had this happen tho.

99Bluz28

iTrader: (35)

I know the front lower A-arm (rear vertical bushings) are prone to wear-out early.

99Bluz28

iTrader: (35)

IMO, when installing new upper mounts give it a thick coating of Super Grease in the whole center section, including the protruding shock bayonet mount and nut.

This is just good preventive maintenance.