Rattling from Front end(arnott struts I think) and ball joint question

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v8only

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I've had a rattling coming from my right front strut area, and it's most noticeable on dips and bumps...dips and bumps I get a clunk from both strut tower areas. Sounds like the top. Some research seems to tell me it may be a common problem with aftermarket struts such as arnott.

anyone else experience this?

I was thinking before I researched it, that my balljoints are bad. I have 106k miles on the original front end components, and the boots are slightly torn. I have however jacked up both sides and moved the crap out of the front wheels in every direction, even with a prybar, and I get no movement out of my balljoints.

2 questions

1. Even if a strut holds air, is a clunking sound that comes from it indicitive that it is bad? Is this effecting anything in my front end?

2. I'm planning on sensor lowering asap, and was gonna wait till a front end rebuild. However, based on my tests, I'm suspecting my front end is still ok. Did I check the ball joints ok?? I don't want to pay $100 for an alignment that will get all screwed up
 
Well let me assure you that your front end components are toast with the mileage you stated. All those noises even indicate that. Your UCA are the first to go, then the lowers along with the strut rod bushings and sway bar links. Get all those replaced and get a 4 wheel alignment and your noises should be gone and your car wheel feel like a new car when you drive it.
 
Sway bar linkage too, also check the upper strut nut, the one thats above the strut mount
 
thanks guys.

see this is curious....106k miles is NOT a lot of miles...by modern standards it's just broken in, lol.

my 07 toyota minivan has 90k miles on it, and it's literally like brand new. My brothers bullitt mustang has 100k on i (2001) and it's as tight as the day it rolled off the assembly line.....hell my neighbors chrysler minivan from the early 90's has 250k on it...3rd tranny, 2nd engine, all original ball joints and front end components.

I've owned a dozen fox mustangs, with many of them at 200k all on the original hardware, and although no doubt it was time for a ball joint swap, the front ends were all tight with little to no play, and no noises.

Is there something about the design on these front ends that cause it to go to hell in just 100k miles?
 
ARNOTT struts. I went through this.
Rebuilt the whole front end to get rid of clunking and it turned out to be the struts.

Moog control arms only, and Ford Strut rod bushings only.

I strongly advise you to get OEM struts. Yes its $350 but you will do it once and car will drive like new again.
 
thanks Dave. I'm convinced that this is my problem. The noise is directly top at the struts. My front end feels super tight..even with a prybar under the tire with it up in the air I couldn't budge the ball joints....Perhaps I can just replace the boots.

Have you heard of air ride rebuilt struts? I found some on ebay and they were cheap at $115 for the pair, and they stated they were rebuilt oem units.
 
v8only said:
thanks Dave. I'm convinced that this is my problem. The noise is directly top at the struts. My front end feels super tight..even with a prybar under the tire with it up in the air I couldn't budge the ball joints....Perhaps I can just replace the boots.

Have you heard of air ride rebuilt struts? I found some on ebay and they were cheap at $115 for the pair, and they stated they were rebuilt oem units.[/QUOT



I have not. But I strongly stand by OEM struts. Do it once and do it right.
You will love your car again. I am am not the first one to say that. These are just parts you should not be cheap with.
Click to expand...
 
Dave 88 LSC said:
I have not. But I strongly stand by OEM struts. Do it once and do it right.
You will love your car again. I am am not the first one to say that. These are just parts you should not be cheap with.
Click to expand...

I completely agree. It wont exactly be cheap, by any means, but OEM is where its at. Especially when it comes to suspension components for stock air ride. It'll be worth spending the extra money to end up with quality suspension components.
 
chris2523 said:
+1. when my went they made a hell of a racket.
Click to expand...

+2 this happend to me twice... the first time i put new ones on i put cheap ass napa links in.... they wore out in a month. bought moog and have bin good for almost 8 months. (knock on wood)
 
Your "rebuilt struts" are going to be junk. They will only be recovered. Your long life mustang parts were also shot, you just didn't notice the decline in performance over time. Plus the car was a lot lighter.

The best place to go for our air ride replacements is American Air Suspensions. They also have a self help tech section.

Going cheap never pays off in these cars.
 
Roadboss said:
Your "rebuilt struts" are going to be junk. They will only be recovered. Your long life mustang parts were also shot, you just didn't notice the decline in performance over time. Plus the car was a lot lighter.

The best place to go for our air ride replacements is American Air Suspensions. They also have a self help tech section.

Going cheap never pays off in these cars.
Click to expand...

I agree, as the "rebuilt" struts out there only have the rubber air bladders replaced. They do NOTHING to/for the hydraulics and I can tell you from experience....that won't work. Between internally seized and/or leaking hydraulics, you can only use about 40% of the Mark VIII cores you get in. I know for a fact that company rebuilds EVERY core that comes to them.....whether it has any hydraulics left or not. Been their done that....got the freakin t-shirt!

BTW, I agree its probably frt. end components, but if the problem is inside the arnott strut, you can remove them and shake them like a salt & pepper shaker. If you hear a clunk...."a problem" is in the strut.
 
great info all. Can't thank you enough. With all 4 of my airbags now in suspicion, I'm tempted to use the spring conversion that I have waiting...I just don't want to do that though. Guess I'll have to consider my options...at least the car isn't riding on the bumpstops...yet anyhow.
 
guarantee the man has traveld the road back and forth and knows his art. listening is cheap but not following can get expensive and hurt. once you drive a complete rebuild it will open your eyes.
 
v8only said:
great info all. Can't thank you enough. With all 4 of my airbags now in suspicion, I'm tempted to use the spring conversion that I have waiting...I just don't want to do that though. Guess I'll have to consider my options...at least the car isn't riding on the bumpstops...yet anyhow.
Click to expand...

only front airbags.
the rear airbags are literally just a bag.
 
106,000 is only around the world about 4 times... Your brakes and suspension should have been changed twice already
 
Got a question I didn't see covered in this thread and thought I'd ask.

I have the moog end links and, not that I am experiencing it but I've heard the new design causes clunking. Can anyone confirm this rumor? Is it still best to go with moog sway bar end links?
 
Myco said:
Got a question I didn't see covered in this thread and thought I'd ask.

I have the moog end links and, not that I am experiencing it but I've heard the new design causes clunking. Can anyone confirm this rumor? Is it still best to go with moog sway bar end links?
Click to expand...

i have heard that.. i have TRW end links in my car.
 
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