Small Bump Noise

[svx_commuter]

Since the day I bought the car it had this noise when going over small bumps in the front end. I have replaced the struts, strut mounts, link ends and stablizer bushings. The noise is still there just over small bumps at low speed. I have talked with some others about this and the comment I get is "Live with it, it comes with the car as does the snap crackle pop dashboard."

Well any way........ THE NOISE DRIVE ME CRAZY AND I WANT TO GO AWAY

Part of the problem has been trying to duplicate the noise when the car is parked. Push down on the bumper..... nothing. Jack up the wheels and push and pull on the wheels..... nothing. Put a bar under the tire while its jacked up, move the tire up and down.... nothing.

Then yesterday with the car on the ground I put a block down for a fulcrum and a bar under the lower control arm and wala The noise is there Bounceing the car up and down it is the same noise I hear when driving. Here is what I see and feel when the noise occurs. The top of the tire is moving in ans out from the engine. Sort of feels like a jerk or a snap. The top of the stut at the mount also a jerk or a snap in the vetical direction.

Any Ideas? Wheel bearing too loose?

If the car moves up and down more than a inch it does NOT do it.

[Beav]

Originally posted by svx_commuter


The top of the tire is moving in ans out from the engine. Sort of feels like a jerk or a snap. The top of the stut at the mount also a jerk or a snap in the vetical direction.

Any Ideas? Wheel bearing too loose?

If the car moves up and down more than a inch it does NOT do it.

The strut mount acts as a pivot point and carries the weight of that corner of the car. It is also an isolator and some axial flexing is normal. Generally, if there's any lateral motion something's awry.

I have the same sound, it seems, and I have yet to detect the cause. I really haven't had the free time to dedicate to it yet. I was thinking it might be the strut, because I can't detect any flaw in the bearing plate. As you have replaced both the struts and bearing plates that theory becomes all shot to pieces. If/when I get some free time at the shop I'll try to duplicate your method and see if I can pinpoint the noise.

Don't feel alone....I have the same problem, too. I joined this network to find the solution.

Best thing I've heard yet is bad engine mount. My head is too big to fit under the car to sort this out. You guys with access to a lift are lucky. I'll just have to wait until something big craters to examine mine....

[Beav]

Originally posted by deadeye95
... I'll just have to wait until something big craters to examine mine....

I thought there was a pretty big crater not too far from you...

[wasions]

I've had the same noise since new, or nearly new. I don't pay much attention to it anymore.

[Beav]

I was thinking that my first one had the same noise when it was new, but I'm really not sure. I've looked for the source before and I know that there is nothing unsafe on mine, therefore it's become a back-burner item. In the driving I normally do I rarely hear it anyway.

I thought there was a pretty big crater not too far from you...


You may be referring to the one near Los Alamos. The gov't just paid over $100 million for it...we'll be skiing in it this next winter.

What has the gov't bought for your entertainment down where you live?? That's why I live here now!!

[Beav]

Originally posted by deadeye95


What has the gov't bought for your entertainment down where you live??

The last time I looked there was a line of people standing in line for free cheese and $$. Of course they had to vote correctly before they were allowed to re-enter....

*and so ends this evening's political soapbox*