Front end clatter diagnosis

[Earthworm]

Originally posted by Henry
I'd still like to find out how to get to the "center bolt" atop the front strut. There appears to be no way to remove the rubber part - or is there?

The center cover does remove. It's approx 1.5" in diameter. It may need "convincing" if it has never been removed before.

Mine came off fairly easily and the nuts were tight.

[Landshark]

Originally posted by Earthworm
Beav was hinting in a previous thread that this low bump rattle may also be caused by the power steering rack and is possibly adjusted by a lash adjustment.

any more info on this?

[Earthworm]

Originally posted by Landshark


any more info on this?

Yeah, check out his thread.

[Landshark]

Originally posted by Earthworm
Yeah, check out his thread.

thanks! i remember reading the end of that thread, but apparently i never read the whole thing. so.....anyone try the lash adjustment?

I was hoping this would help, but the newer mounts I tried
were no different. I really wish I knew what was making the noise! BTW, I didn't have the noise with the old struts and mounts; don't you hate it when you try to make things better, but you've only made them worse!

'92 LS-L
130K

Well... it was dark, it was late, the hood obscured the garage light, I was in a hurry, yada yada.

And I was trying to remove/twist/lift/pry the ENTIRE rubber assembly! This morning I took another look at it and realized that a centerpiece about the size of a silver dollar lifts right off to expose the nut. Unfortunately, both sides were tight.

The strong clatter at 0-25 mph continues, and I see that others have tried various things with mixed results. I suspect it's ONE thing on all of these cars, and it's not at all obvious what it is. It's not the brake shims or upper strut mounts or upper strut bolts -- it's something else in the front suspension. This next Saturday I'll put it on the lift and bang/push/pull/twist everything in sight. It could be something as simple as a rod end.

If anyone discovers the source of the problem please share it.

[mohrds]

Originally posted by Henry
It's not the brake shims or upper strut mounts or upper strut bolts -- it's something else in the front suspension.

So you opened up your brakes and found all three shims on each wheel?

Doug

Perhaps I should have re-checked, but didn't - for two reasons:

1. After replacing the pads up front, there was NO DIFFERENCE in the noise.

2. The problem did not arise overnight, but came on gradually over a period of months. This is indicative of wear, not missing parts.

I suspect a rod-end somewhere in the suspension, and will find out this weekend.

[mohrds]

Originally posted by Henry
Perhaps I should have re-checked, but didn't - for two reasons:

1. After replacing the pads up front, there was NO DIFFERENCE in the noise.

2. The problem did not arise overnight, but came on gradually over a period of months. This is indicative of wear, not missing parts.

I suspect a rod-end somewhere in the suspension, and will find out this weekend.

Oddly enough, after brake service, the noise goes away for about 500 - 1000 miles, then comes back.

Doug

[Mr. Pockets]

Do you feel vibration through the steering wheel when you hear the noise? I had a clatter from my front wheels, and you know what it was?

The wheel center caps. I popped off all of mine, bent the clips out a little, and they fit tighter after that. No more noise up front.

I do get a very, very small 'knock' at low speeds going over bumps, but my car has always done that and it's never gotten worse. It also happens pretty rarely, as well.

No feedback in the steering wheel...

That "knock" you report might be the same one perceived by me and others.

I suspect a minor problem in the suspension (not dangerous or we'd all know about it), and will look closely this weekend. I sure hope others do the same!

[Mr. Pockets]

Originally posted by Henry
No feedback in the steering wheel...

That "knock" you report might be the same one perceived by me and others.

I suspect a minor problem in the suspension (not dangerous or we'd all know about it), and will look closely this weekend. I sure hope others do the same!

Well, I can feel (ever so slightly) the 'knock' that my car makes. It doesn't happen often, but when it does I can just barely feel it through the wheel and floor.

[svx_commuter]

The stiffer strut mount didn't help on my car. I traced the problem to the front rubber bushing that holds the torsion bar. The noise comes from the top of the strut tower when the bar breaks free in the bushing. If you hear the nosie when you push up and down on the car bumper you should be able to find the source.

I got a different noise now that is from play in the rack (I think anywat too much play in the steering wheel) and I hope to do that adjustment tomorrow. I made this thing to loosen the lock nut on the steering box.

I went to the dealer Wed. for minor maint. and ran the front end noise ques. by them....the answer in my case anyway was my front struts are hammered. It makes sense because I also get front end shudder under hard braking over 60...(not rotors just had them done)not to mention a few other bouncy/noisy front end circumstances that seem to point to that as well. On a side note...the very next day a coil pack crapped out on me on the way to work. I found it a little strange that they were just fiddling with my spark plugs and such... and I lose a pack the next day( two down...four to go.)...I'm not saying they did something wrong...but... In my experience the laws of probability are stronger than the laws of coincidence. (I had them put in Bosche platinum +4's if anyone knows if these have any ill effects on coil packs maybe that would explain it...or maybe not. )

Hmm... Chris, have you tried Subaru of Nashua? I find they know more and do a better job on the SVX than most. The +4's are good but don't seem to be better than OEM. B.