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Front end Clunk/Pop help

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Old Sep 27, 2013 | 10:14 AM
  #1  
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Default Front end Clunk/Pop help

My set up is stock z06 wheels with new 275/40/17 on the front. The car is lowered with front bolts removed. Leaf spring is sitting on lower A arm and has been lowered about 1000 miles. The noise occurs at very slow speed at 90% or more wheel turn, such as parking or backing out of spots. There is no noise over bumps or hard turns of any kind. Car runs very smooth other wise at least for a lowered vette. I really noticed the noise after the new tires 200 miles ago and it doesn't change whether on smooth of rough surface. I dont think its the tires pushing as it sounds the same even on very smooth concrete. The pop is such that I can feel it in my feet either through the floor board or the pedals. I was thinking end links but they dont make noise over bumps or breaking. could the leaf on the bare A-arm be causing this. Any other ideas? Id like to get a few thoughts before I put the car in the air. Also all lugs are tight.
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Old Sep 27, 2013 | 10:34 AM
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Originally Posted by Sirk17
My set up is stock z06 wheels with new 275/40/17 on the front. The car is lowered with front bolts removed. Leaf spring is sitting on lower A arm and has been lowered about 1000 miles. The noise occurs at very slow speed at 90% or more wheel turn, such as parking or backing out of spots. There is no noise over bumps or hard turns of any kind. Car runs very smooth other wise at least for a lowered vette. I really noticed the noise after the new tires 200 miles ago and it doesn't change whether on smooth of rough surface. I dont think its the tires pushing as it sounds the same even on very smooth concrete. The pop is such that I can feel it in my feet either through the floor board or the pedals. I was thinking end links but they dont make noise over bumps or breaking. could the leaf on the bare A-arm be causing this. Any other ideas? Id like to get a few thoughts before I put the car in the air. Also all lugs are tight.
I'd guess that the bolded part is your problem.
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Old Sep 27, 2013 | 11:48 AM
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Why would you remove the bolts! Ever think they are there for a reason?
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Old Sep 27, 2013 | 12:06 PM
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Originally Posted by Sirk17
Id like to get a few thoughts before I put the car in the air.
I suspect doing this at home with jacks won't help: you need an alignment lift where you can get underneath with the suspension loaded and still be able to turn the wheels.
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Old Sep 27, 2013 | 12:10 PM
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Originally Posted by Lee DeRaud
I suspect doing this at home with jacks won't help : you need an alignment lift where you can get underneath with the suspension loaded and still be able to turn the wheels.
Sure it will. Jack it up. Re-install front bolts.

Problem solved.
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Old Sep 27, 2013 | 12:27 PM
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The issue didn't start with the bolt removal. There are ALOT of people with bolts removed that don't have this issue.
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Old Sep 27, 2013 | 12:45 PM
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Also the noise doesn't occur if the car is not in motion even when the wheel is turned to the max each direction.
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Old Sep 27, 2013 | 06:25 PM
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So I put the car in the air and shook the hell out of the suspension and checked all parts loosened or removed when it was lowered, No noise no movement. There was evidence of tire rub on the back side of the lower a arm on both sides. Sine it was in the air I inserted two pieces of 4 ply silicone coupling I have laying around under the leaf spring and lower a arm and gave it a squirt of chain lube. I lowered the car back down and the noise is gone. Now I just have to wait until it settles back down to see if it stays gone or if the noise in in fact the tire rubbing on full turn.

Ill update later tonight as I have a 60 mile trip ahead of me. I suspect the tire since it is larger than stock and that's when I noticed the a few days after the tire install
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Old Sep 28, 2013 | 03:18 PM
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i had the same noise on mine after i removed those bolts. then changed to coilovers and problem solved
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Old Sep 28, 2013 | 05:53 PM
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It sounds to me like a front wheel hub may be going out. Mine had the same type of symptoms at low speeds (grinding and popping), especially when turning.
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Old Sep 28, 2013 | 06:50 PM
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After 90 miles and the suspension appearing to be settled the noise is 100 % gone. I can only assume it was the leaf spring making some noise on the bare metal. I know not everyone that removes their lowering bolts get this but for those who are be aware you might and to put something between with some grease just to be safe.
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Old Sep 28, 2013 | 08:35 PM
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Originally Posted by Sirk17
After 90 miles and the suspension appearing to be settled the noise is 100 % gone. I can only assume it was the leaf spring making some noise on the bare metal. I know not everyone that removes their lowering bolts get this but for those who are be aware you might and to put something between with some grease just to be safe.
Yes I have my front bolts completely removed and had noise issues. I basically just put a glob of grease in between the leaf spring and contact area. Also I really just greased the hell out of joint area that looked like it could move. And greased inside the Sway bar rubber. Everything is messy and not pretty but my suspension is now silent low speed, high speed you name it
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