Front end rattle/thump over bumps

n8bachelor

Dedicated LVC Member
Joined
Dec 30, 2005
Messages
1,606
Reaction score
12
Location
Bentonville, AR
Like it says, I have been hearing a thumpthump lately as I enter my subdivision which is a combination of braking while turning and dropping 1 inch onto lower pavement.
I drove on a gravel road yesterday for the first time in a while and noticed a distinct rattle coming from the passenger front end. Basically more thumps. It is not affected by braking, happens going straight or while turning, and seems to be coming from the front passenger side wheel well.
Just had the wheels off and could not find anything visibly wrong. Suggestions please...
 
based on experience and based on info in these forums? I'd suggest the following as all potential culprits, in order of most to least likely:

#1. Front Swaybar bushings.
#2. Ball Joints
#3. Possible control arm bushings (dont think this is that common of a wear item on LS's, but it defintely is the culprit on BMW's during that thump which occurs during the 1 inch drop down the concrete apron issue.
 
Hummmm OK. Not sure that is something I can do by myself. I'll keep looking for a how-to. I know there is a lot of great information on this site. Just wanted some opinions before I got too far into disrepair.
 
the tricky part with the 2nd gens is that the factory bushings are designed to be not replaceable, you can order the bushings from energy suspension, but you have to cut the factory ones off, which isnt too hard to do, its just a pain in the @ss to get to them.

if you take off the air intake tube, you can see them from the top, you will need a few extensions to be able to get to the bolts.
 
I did my front end sway bar bushing+Stabilizer Bar Link(gen2) and the heat lately here is scorching and now have been getting this rattle noise when I turn the wheel slightly Left or Right. I'm thinking ball joints..But the thing that has me all confused is at cool temperature I hear slight knocking but rarely and it is also coming more from the passenger side wheel well
 

Members online

Back
Top