Can't figure out popping/clunking noise from front end

Nevin · #1 04-05-2009, 10:05 PM

So, the front end of the car has been just popping and clunking all over the place lately and the last time I had it up on the hoist, I kinda was checking around to try to find what was wrong. The ball joints seemed good and tie rods but I could kinda move the top of the spring back and forth like the strut mount was bad.

So, I got new strut mounts from Subaru and put them in and it still did it. Hmm, ok, maybe it WAS balljoints, so I bought one to see and today I put it in. (passenger's side) Setting it down with the lift as soon as the right front wheel gets some weight on it, it pops AGAIN!

What the heck am I missing that could be making such a racket?

Has anyone else experienced this? It also seems to do it when I'm at low speeds, turning or maybe I hit a bump... CLUNK!

The bearings seem good, they don't make bearing noise and they are tight, the strut mounts are new, the balljoint on the side where it made the popping is new... Is it like a swaybar endlink or something? What could it be?

Thank you if you can shed any light on this, I'm dying to know what ails my car!

Crazy_pilot · #2 04-05-2009, 11:16 PM

Most likely swaybar endlinks, followed by swaybar bushings, then worn brake slides. Crank the wheels to one side, reach in around and grab the endlink and try to shake it up and down, then repeat on the other side. Also try to shake the swaybar in it's bushings and pull it back and forth.

SVXRide · #3 04-06-2009, 10:49 AM

then put your right foot in and your left hand out...

-Bill

AyeJaye · #4 04-06-2009, 11:49 AM

Is there a way to repair worn caliper slides, short of replacing the entire caliper that is?

Crazy_pilot · #5 04-06-2009, 03:27 PM

As long as it's the slides that are worn and not the bore in the caliper or bracket then yes, you can buy re-build kits and replace the worn parts. Check out this thread for an idea of what that all looks like. I think he's working on a How-To to rebuild calipers right now.

AyeJaye · #6 04-06-2009, 04:46 PM

Does all the replaceable hardware come in a kit, or do you have to buy certain parts separately? Of all the things I want to do to my car, I think this would probably be the best place to start.

Nevin · #7 04-06-2009, 05:39 PM

Ok, I'm thinking its the swaybar endlinks. Yesterday when I had it on the lift I tried to move the swaybar around in every direction but nothing made any noise there. Also, I replaced brakes maybe... 16 months ago? Not TOO long ago anyway. Also, I've replaced both front axles in the not-so-distant past as well.

Could I just take off an endlink and drive it around as to check?

Also, it seemed weird to me that the endlink holes on the struts were not round, but enlongated. What's the reason behind that?? Could I just weld a washer on there so it's round? It seems like maybe that would be sliding up and down, and well.. "clunking?" Cause the noise definitely comes from both sides.

Crazy_pilot · #8 04-06-2009, 05:48 PM

That could be it. The same thing happened to my parent's Forester, the hole had ovalled out and the endlink rattled like the apocalypse over bumps.

Nevin · #9 04-06-2009, 05:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Crazy_pilot

That could be it. The same thing happened to my parent's Forester, the hole had ovalled out and the endlink rattled like the apocalypse over bumps.

Yeah, it's awful. So, are they round holes on the struts for everyone else and mine ARE maybe hogged out? It LOOKED factory, but I thought it was kinda unusual that an important suspension joint would have the capability to move...

Nevin · #10 04-06-2009, 09:08 PM

Ok, I just went and took one of the endlinks off. Argh! Still does it. They are definitely loose, but it still does it even when they're not connected. What gives?

Nevin · #11 04-07-2009, 06:12 PM

Ha! Well, I finally figured it out today. Turns out the control arm bushing bolts were loose. And by "loose" I don't really mean they were loose, but they just weren't tight. I could turn them all about 1/2 a turn, and then I really torqued them down, and now it's all good!

What a random thing though! Plus, I don't know how they ever got loose, because to my recollection, I have never taken those bolts out. Oh well, all is good now.

Thanks for all the suggestions, by the way!

NiftySVX · #12 04-07-2009, 06:50 PM

Likely the strut mounts. If your car has more than about 60,000 on it they are worn out anyway. Subaru had a TSB on them, there was an updated part.

Nevin · #13 04-07-2009, 09:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NiftySVX

Likely the strut mounts. If your car has more than about 60,000 on it they are worn out anyway. Subaru had a TSB on them, there was an updated part.

Seriously? lol I mean, did you even READ the original post?

wawazat?? · #14 04-08-2009, 09:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nevin

So, are they round holes on the struts for everyone else and mine ARE maybe hogged out? It LOOKED factory, but I thought it was kinda unusual that an important suspension joint would have the capability to move...

The holes are elongated from the manufacturer. Not sure why but that is the way they were made.

Nevin · #15 04-08-2009, 04:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wawazat??

The holes are elongated from the manufacturer. Not sure why but that is the way they were made.

You don't say. Well that IS interesting. I wonder why?

Would it hurt anything if they were just round? I'd like to weld that up and make it so it can't move, but is that a BAD idea?