My 960 sounds like I have a metal bucket with a base ball bouncing around it in while I'm driving. On smooth pavement I don't hear it but on any bumps I hear the ball bouncing. I think the shocks are bad, does anyone else have any ideas?

 

Of course I haven't heard the noise, but it's bound to be either steering parts or damper parts and if the noise is loud (like a baseball in a metal bucket), I think it's more likely damper parts - the strut and/or the strut mount.

 

Check the sway bar links and control arm bushings.

 

How does one check those? I jacked the car and jerked around on the wheel and couldn't tell anything. Then I bounced on the front end with the hood open and couldn't tell anything. I also looked under it and everything looks good except for the boot around the strut.

 

With the car jacked up pull on the sway bar by each link. If you feel clicking then it is bad.(sway bar link)

For the control arm bushings look at them closely pay close attention to the big rear one on the front control arms. The rear bushings go bad alot.

 

Will it work the some on ramps?

 

It might I have never tried it. I always check it on the lift.

 

I'll get under there and post pics.

 

Sounds like a plan.

 

Got under the car, jerked around on the sway bar ends and heard a little clicking. So when I looked closer, I noticed the boots torn on the links. Are these pics what you think my problem may be?




The control arm rear link bushing has small cracks but not torn. Having it up on rams seemed to streatched the real link bushing.

 

Yes that should be it.

 

Ordered the parts from FCP and they came in Monday. Installed them in under an hour and I'm good to go. Feels & sounds like I'm driving a new car. Hurrah!

 

Glad that fixed it.