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Front suspension question

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Old Mar 28, 2007 | 12:48 PM
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Tx Ray-C5's Avatar
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Default Front suspension question

Okay guys here goes.... I purchased my car used from a guy in Dallas, Texas. He told me someone keyed the car so he had it repainted, ALL LIES !!

Now here's my problem, I've got some creeking and now recently some what sounds like poping from my drivers side front suspension.

I pulled off my wheel and noticed some gouges on the bottom of my lower a-arm.

Could it be my lower ball joint ?
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Old Mar 28, 2007 | 02:47 PM
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anyone ?? any clues ??
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Old Mar 28, 2007 | 04:16 PM
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check the sway bar link nuts, they tend to come loose.
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Old Mar 28, 2007 | 05:15 PM
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The marks on the control arms are more than likely from running wider from stock wheels, and pretty much locking the steering wheel either left or right.

The knocking noise could be several things. Sway bar end links ...or shock mounts. Take off the wheel and make sure every bolt is snug.
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Old Mar 28, 2007 | 05:34 PM
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Originally Posted by MrPickles
The marks on the control arms are more than likely from running wider from stock wheels, and pretty much locking the steering wheel either left or right.

The knocking noise could be several things. Sway bar end links ...or shock mounts. Take off the wheel and make sure every bolt is snug.
But the gouges (marks) are on the bottom, underneith, the lower a-arm. I'm thinking he ran over something or hit something.

There is a very small gap between the ball joint and the a-arm. I'll check everything else though......
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Old Mar 28, 2007 | 05:41 PM
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How low is the car? If it's been lowered, check to see if the ride height adjustment bolts have been removed. Mine was like this, and I had a knocking noise as I was backing out and turning at the same time.
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Old Mar 29, 2007 | 09:33 AM
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Originally Posted by dbirdz06
How low is the car? If it's been lowered, check to see if the ride height adjustment bolts have been removed. Mine was like this, and I had a knocking noise as I was backing out and turning at the same time.
Now you're speaking GREEK to me... where are these bolts ??
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Old Mar 29, 2007 | 01:38 PM
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Originally Posted by willBC5
Now you're speaking GREEK to me... where are these bolts ??
There is a bolt that passes through the leaf spring and contacts the top side of the lower control arm. If it is removed there will be a hole in the leaf spring, but no bolt present. Like this:

This may or may not be your problem, just an idea.
Are you still having the creaking and popping sounds?
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Old Mar 30, 2007 | 12:54 AM
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The bolt is in place and yes the sounds are still there. The creaking noise got worse after I lifted the car and put it back on the ground. Now the noise is there ALL the time.

Looks like I'll be spending some time under my car this weekend.
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Old Mar 30, 2007 | 09:07 AM
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Hopefully you find out what the problem is! Good luck
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Old Mar 30, 2007 | 10:07 AM
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What you may be experiencing is a noise from the bushing where the top of the shock mounts, not the shock bushings, but the one where the shock mounts. Apparently the bushing dries out and shrinks due to age. The shock becomes loose and makes a knocking noise. Vette Brakes & Products has a urethane repplacement part for this. I just received the parts along with my new Bilsteins I will be installing. I had a similar noise. You'll never find this noise source just jacking up the car.
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