Front End squeak

[Dave 88 LSC]

I am battling this weird front end rattle, or squeak.
It happens when going over small harsh bumps or pot holes. Not on big ones or smooth ones.
Coming from the driver side.
I have a new Lower control Arm, New Upper, New Strut rod bushings, New sway bar link, and front Struts are Arnott, also fairly new units (from the previous owner.
All parts are from moog.

Sway bar bushing looks fine, and I did spray it with some white grease.

Please help...its driving me mad.

 

[silver94]

Ya me to

Ya i Have all new parts except for my bag but it was replaced in 2008 I have the same problem from the same side. Does it do it when the bags air up to cause mine does don't know what the hell it could be Oh and i was told the white grease is bad for rubber it makes it swell up like a balloon.

 

[BodyByAAS]

Mines doing the same, atleast I narrowed it down to a ball-joint..

I guess thats good... =/ (that its narrowed down atleast..not that its the ball joint LOL)

 

[LaserSVT]

I am battling this weird front end rattle, or squeak.
It happens when going over small harsh bumps or pot holes. Not on big ones or smooth ones.
Coming from the driver side.
I have a new Lower control Arm, New Upper, New Strut rod bushings, New sway bar link, and front Struts are Arnott, also fairly new units (from the previous owner.
All parts are from moog.

Sway bar bushing looks fine, and I did spray it with some white grease.

Please help...its driving me mad.

The strut rod bushings sound suspect to me. You have the Moogs on the front of the strut rods? I would get uner the nose and take a peek to make sure they have not pulled the washer into the bushing.

 

[Dave 88 LSC]

All is new. Control arms with ball joints and all. Strut rod bushings are looking good and beefy.

I started changing all those parts to get rid of the noise...now that everything is new, there is nothing else left.

Is there anything inside the driver side fender that can be loose? Under the bumper??

 

[LaserSVT]

Tie rods? Steering rack?

 

[Dave 88 LSC]

This can go on and on....I am not trying to restore the car to its finest...Just want to drive the damn thing and enjoy for a year till I sell it.

I think its safe to assume that its the strut itself.

 

[lobird91]

I had the same issue with moog strut rod bushings in the past. The tube that ran in the middle was too long and would not let the bushings "seat" like they needed to. Once I shortened up the tube the noise went away. Just a suggestion from past experience.

 

[Roadboss]

I would get the car on a drive on lift and get under it and reach up and swing from the suspension to see where the nose is coming from. From my past experiences I have found either improperly installed strut rod bushings (Ferrells need to be trimmed) or and undersized replacement cam bolt(s) on the LCA.

 

[Dave 88 LSC]

Tie rods are fine, no play in them at all. Everything is new at this point.

I even checked the caliper. All tight.
Must be a defective strut from Arnott.

This rattle squeak comes and goes. I can drive over the same bump 10 times and it will squeak say half the time.

Thanks for all the inputs guys. I guess I'll keep the Volume of the stereo up.
I refuse to dump any more money into this thing and changing a strut that looks to be fairly new.

 

[Dave 88 LSC]

Update!

Well. After all things done, the rattle/clunk noise is still there and got even worse.

I ordered a new Arnott strut, even thou the current Arnott struts are only 6 month old.
I can duplicate the noise when pressing down on the fender, driver side.

I am assuming the strut itself is blown or defective.

UCA, LCA, Strut rod bushings, and Sway bar link is new, from MOOG. No play in tie rods. Caliper and brake pads are not the culprit.

Will update the situation on friday when the new strut is installed.

 

[DieselDan]

If you don't have access to a drive on lift, try to part the car on a curb or something where you can have someone slide under the car, while someone bounces the car. You can get a stethoscope from the parts store and put it on different components as you hear the noise. You can also usually feel a sqeak with your hand if you locate the noisy part. Good Luck, sounds like you've atleast tried to fix this yourself, so props to you!

 

[Dave 88 LSC]

Thanks. I am almost sure 100% that its the strut. Arnott will not warrant their struts since I am not the original buyer of their parts even thou mine are still under warranty.
I am gonna have my friend bounce the car while I go under it to make sure the source of the noise.

While bouncing the car and touching the strut with one hand, I can feel the noise vibrating though the strut.

Lets see what happens.

 

[NickT88LSC]

If you don't have access to a drive on lift, try to part the car on a curb or something where you can have someone slide under the car, while someone bounces the car. You can get a stethoscope from the parts store and put it on different components as you hear the noise. You can also usually feel a sqeak with your hand if you locate the noisy part. Good Luck, sounds like you've atleast tried to fix this yourself, so props to you!

I also have the electronic ears if you want to narrow it down, they work pretty well

 

[Dave 88 LSC]

Update- fix

Well, as it turned out, a 6 month old strut from Arnott was the source of my problem. The front end sounded like hell going over bumps but the noise would go away and come back from time to time, last few days it felt as if the front bumper is loose and is about to fall off.

I had to buy a new Arnott strut.

Car is a joy to drive now, I shall take it on an extended road trip soon.