Sway bar end link failing??
#2
IMHO it would need to be pretty loose. Like almost ready to pop apart loose. Usually it's more likely something in the strut, strut mount, spring or CV axle that would make that kind of noise.
Best to jack it up, put a stand under there and grab the parts and try to wiggle anything you can to find something with excessive play.
Best to jack it up, put a stand under there and grab the parts and try to wiggle anything you can to find something with excessive play.
#4
This post caught my eye....after reading the ipd catalog I have....They have replacement upper spring seats that they say can cause, clunk type noises.
ipd Heavy Duty Front Upper Spring Seat
they also sell stock models and a SACHS unit
Product Search
ipd Heavy Duty Front Upper Spring Seat
they also sell stock models and a SACHS unit
Product Search
#5
#6
Like Rspi said, any play is too much play and you should replace the sway bar link and see if it takes care of your noise. Different parts react differently and the next logical part would be that upper strut mount or bearing plate. Try bouncing the car while it's on the ground to see if you can replicate the noise and compare the left and right side to see if there is a visual difference in the appearance of the upper strut mount.
First picture is the coil spring seat which is on top of the coil spring on the front strut and fits into the bottom of the strut mount. The coil spring seat is solid rubber with no moving parts but the upper strut mount or some times called the bearing plate has a bearing that allows the strut to turn left and right as you steer the car. It's been know to squeak as it's turned, knock as you hit a bump or cause uneven steering effort in one direction compared to the other or in both directions depending on how it's wearing out. It's a common wear point but from your description I wouldn't rule anything out yet including worn control arm bushings or maybe even the bushings that are supposed to hold the steering rack in place.
First picture is the coil spring seat which is on top of the coil spring on the front strut and fits into the bottom of the strut mount. The coil spring seat is solid rubber with no moving parts but the upper strut mount or some times called the bearing plate has a bearing that allows the strut to turn left and right as you steer the car. It's been know to squeak as it's turned, knock as you hit a bump or cause uneven steering effort in one direction compared to the other or in both directions depending on how it's wearing out. It's a common wear point but from your description I wouldn't rule anything out yet including worn control arm bushings or maybe even the bushings that are supposed to hold the steering rack in place.
#7
With your car parked and in a quiet place rock it back and forth listening for the knock. Take a strong friend along with you to do the rocking while you listen. I have found many noises this way.
#8
with the wheel of and wiggling around i cant get any play below the strut mount i can see some side to side play on top of the strut mount the spring seats are oem less then a year old but the strut mounts are non -oem less then a year old im starting to think the strut mount its bad since i can feel a kind of click when i shake the car side to side. i take back that the sway bar end link wiggles at all its tight.
Last edited by 91shelby; 03-15-2012 at 11:35 PM.
#9
My sway bar end links really didn't wiggle, they just clicked. Any movement at all in the end links or "clicking" when you jerk on them shows that they need to be replaced. If you twist on the wheel enough the top of the strut will move, that's ok, it is designed to turn.
Last edited by rspi; 03-16-2012 at 08:18 AM. Reason: add
#10
#11
I'm sorry but I can't really understand what you're saying.
#12
Fix mine..
Funny thing is after reading this post, my car started making a bit of noise up front also.....I went to the wrecking yard today and picked up a good end link (The only one out of 6 cars, all the others had ripped boots) Before putting it on my car I checked mine, and it had a slight amount of play.
When I jacked up just the drivers side it put pressure on the link and sway bar, so I felt no play in it. When it was on the ground I could feel a bit of play. So when I jacked up the car to replace it, I jacked it up so both front tires were off the ground. Once the old one was out, I could feel a little movement. Kinda crazy how just a slight amount of play can make so much noise.
I put the good used one in and noise is gone..
I did clean it up...looks new.
When I jacked up just the drivers side it put pressure on the link and sway bar, so I felt no play in it. When it was on the ground I could feel a bit of play. So when I jacked up the car to replace it, I jacked it up so both front tires were off the ground. Once the old one was out, I could feel a little movement. Kinda crazy how just a slight amount of play can make so much noise.
I put the good used one in and noise is gone..
I did clean it up...looks new.
Last edited by H5-850TurboWagon; 03-27-2012 at 09:57 AM.
#14
$ Cheap..
Lol....It was only like $5 and I was getting a few other things.(Driver door courtesy light, shift indicator bulb, glove box insert...Like $11 bucks for everything) So I grabbed it.
I have been unemployed so if I can save a buck or 2 it helps.
ipd's HD ones cost $59.00, not sure what stock ones cost.
I got this car after selling one of my Datsun 510 Wagons...the left over money I still need to do the timing belt for peace of mind. And that cost a few $$$ so I have to pinch pennies where I can..
Still waiting to find that ipd sway bar in the yard also... When I score one of those I will spring for new end links, because I will have saved all that extra cash.
I have been unemployed so if I can save a buck or 2 it helps.
ipd's HD ones cost $59.00, not sure what stock ones cost.
I got this car after selling one of my Datsun 510 Wagons...the left over money I still need to do the timing belt for peace of mind. And that cost a few $$$ so I have to pinch pennies where I can..
Still waiting to find that ipd sway bar in the yard also... When I score one of those I will spring for new end links, because I will have saved all that extra cash.
Last edited by H5-850TurboWagon; 03-27-2012 at 10:17 AM.
#15
#18
ok when i go over a bump sometimes i feel kinda clunk back and forth only once and while is worse when turning left control arms are new OEM. Oem spring seats and strut mounts with IPD sway bar end links. everything feels tight. but feels like something wiggling up and down is worse when turning right.