Suspension Issue up front???

[ptoellne]

Hi there.

I own a '96 SVX L with 126,000 miles. My question pertains to a "noise" up front. There appears to be a noise of some sort up front that is noticeable when driving especially in the city. (i.e. noise is NOT there when driving on the highway). I thought it was maybe the struts and was told no that mine were fine. Another shop thought maybe something with the brakes? Any thoughts on how to narrow down the problem?

Thank you very much!

[subru92svx]

What kind of noise is it clunk, squeel, etc? When does it happen brakes applied, brakes not applied, when hitting pot holes, while cornering, etc? We need more info to try and help you figure out what It could be.

[ptoellne]

Thanks for getting back to me...

The noise is more of a clunk. Normally hear when road is bumpy or when hitting a pot hole. Usually more noticeable at slower speeds. I don't believe I hear it when applying brakes. I'll try it tomorrow and listen again.

Thank you for any feedback you can share.

[subru92svx]

Its sounds like you have the same problem I have. I'm getting kind of a bobbling clunking noise at slower speeds when hitting bumps and such just from the front of the car. It is really starting to annoy me as I'm sure it is you. It is especially annoying while driving around on a nice day with the windows down. I'm going to do some more researching and post something in the technical Q&A section. I have been under my car many times and cannot see anything that looks bad, broke, worn, etc. I really don't believe its the brake system, but you never know. I talked to my local dealer who said it was most likely the front strut mounts. If we both have this problem then I'm sure someone else has before and knows how to fix it. I remember reading something about someones front sway bar bushings being worn out and causing a lot of noise on the front of the car. I'll be replaceing my front sway bar bushings soon with some polyurethane ones and I'll let you know if it helps. If you find anything out as to the cause please let me know. I will do the same for you.

[JaySVX]

Sounds like you have a blown strut, and what your hearing is the spring moving at full speed.

[msvx95]

look for any leakage around the strut if it is blown.

[subru92svx]

Ptoellne said his struts checked out good. I don't think my issue is my struts either. None of them are leaking and the car rebounds great. You can kind of just tell by the noise that its not a strut too. Whatever it is its gonna get fixed .

[wawazat??]

It may be the anti-sway bar endlinks. The noise they make when failing is between a rattle and a clunk (deeper than a rattle and lighter than a clunk if that makes sense???). They attach to the struts so it localizes the sound. New parts are available from the dealership. I offer a custom adjustable endlink design but they are expensive.

Todd

[SVX_MY_BABY]

http://www.subaru-svx.net/forum/showthread.php?t=40692

[Mike621]

I had the same problem. It was my brake caliper brackets worn out, letting the caliper hang loose and smack my rotor. It sounds like a stack of plates when you hit bumps.

[1995 Rio Red]

I'm having the same problem now. I had the dealership take a look and they told me its the bushing that connect to the sway bars. Will let you all know for sure, as I'm getting this fixed next weekl

[lilbrudder]

mike was there any way to test that? maybe take the wheel off and hitting caliper with rubber mallet?

[ShiuludeSVX]

Originally Posted by lilbrudder

mike was there any way to test that? maybe take the wheel off and hitting caliper with rubber mallet?

We tried that here several months ago, and not there.
So I was chasing the Calipers for a while, until I replaced them also.
My end links did not help, I made a set of customs, and still have it.
I have also removed the entire Sway assembly, and still have the problem.

[XT6Wagon]

loose/broken tophats can do it.

I know on some cars the bearing assembly gets trashed over time and suddenly you get slop in strut assembly.