Front suspension rattle. Please help
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 409
Likes: 0
From: Albany NY
Front suspension rattle. Please help
When I hit any sort of bump I get a rattle coming from the front left. I have greased everything under this car to try and get rid of it. I have zip tied any wire or hose with more play than needed. any help would be great. 
Race Director
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 15,960
Likes: 21
From: West Norriton PA
St. Jude Donor '08
If it's a metalic rattle, I would check for loose hardware or maybe a cap on your rims.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 2,118
Likes: 2
From: Redding CA
me too i have this anooying rattle when im crusing at around 40 or if i hit small bumps i checked and greased some parts of suspension i need to know too lol
oh and by the way my vette is lowered also
oh and by the way my vette is lowered also
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 409
Likes: 0
From: Albany NY
Mine is lowered as well. For what its worth the rattle started many many miles after lowering it.
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 11,150
Likes: 890
From: South Western Ontario
Take a look at the caliper and the brake pads. Make sure a retaining clip wasn't left out leaving the pads loose and able to rattle.
The other one to check is the sway bar end links. If you can't tell then just pull the end link off and take a short drive. Just be careful cornering.
Peter
The other one to check is the sway bar end links. If you can't tell then just pull the end link off and take a short drive. Just be careful cornering.
Peter
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Instructor
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 174
Likes: 0
From: Santa Clarita Ca
I had a rattle in my front end. Looked from what I could see without putting it on a lift and couldnt find anything. I then took it and had a shop put it on the lift. Low and behold it was my swaybar. I noticed a clunk when I was pulling out from parking etc. Then when on the freeway it felt odd as well. Take it in before its just more than tightening the bolt guys. No need to end up in the shoulder somewhere for a $50 fix. May want to get a 4 wheel alignment while there.
Joe
Joe
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 956
Likes: 12
From: Eastern PA
I had this before...
All of the symptoms you metioned I experienced before. I kept hearing a "banging" sound going over bumps, shifting the car from park to reverse. I thought it was a broken shock or something banging. I even though it had to do with the brakes or the tranny brace. So many worries I can't even begin to tell ya.
To cut to the chase, THE SUBFRAME required tightening. One of the techs found subframe bolts that had come lose. My car is a 98 with some slight mods
all around. Apparently when you move stuff around and change things or stress the car in certain ways at times this can cause the subframe hardware to losen a bit. He re-torque everything to specs, problem solved.
Look into that folks, it may save you some cash in unnecessary repairs which could be suggested by unknowing mechanics out there.
To cut to the chase, THE SUBFRAME required tightening. One of the techs found subframe bolts that had come lose. My car is a 98 with some slight mods
all around. Apparently when you move stuff around and change things or stress the car in certain ways at times this can cause the subframe hardware to losen a bit. He re-torque everything to specs, problem solved.Look into that folks, it may save you some cash in unnecessary repairs which could be suggested by unknowing mechanics out there.
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 1,437
Likes: 5
I had something similar...but it wasn't suspension...
I noticed that if I rode over a bump with the brake applied...no noise.
So I took apart the brakes and the retainer clips were in! I changed the pads/rotors and put in new clips...still made the noise. (note rotor upgrade was optional!) So I put in 1 additional retainer clip and it hasn't made the noise in 2 years!
Odd for sure
I noticed that if I rode over a bump with the brake applied...no noise.
So I took apart the brakes and the retainer clips were in! I changed the pads/rotors and put in new clips...still made the noise. (note rotor upgrade was optional!) So I put in 1 additional retainer clip and it hasn't made the noise in 2 years!
Odd for sure
Intermediate
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 44
Likes: 0
From: Baton Rouge Louisiana
Same Problem?
I have the same annoying rattle. I can't isolate the noise though. I climbed under it a few weeks ago, and discovered that the "crash bar" was destroyed on the pass side (missed that during my "inspection" before I bought the car). It looks like the previous owner ran it up onto a curb and crushed the right side back. He tried to weld it back together, but it didn't hold. It makes a loud popping noise when I back up and turn the wheel, and sometimes when I hit the brakes. Could this be the cause of my noise? How difficult is it to change the crash bar assembly? Thanks in advance.
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 1,437
Likes: 5
I have the same annoying rattle. I can't isolate the noise though. I climbed under it a few weeks ago, and discovered that the "crash bar" was destroyed on the pass side (missed that during my "inspection" before I bought the car). It looks like the previous owner ran it up onto a curb and crushed the right side back. He tried to weld it back together, but it didn't hold. It makes a loud popping noise when I back up and turn the wheel, and sometimes when I hit the brakes. Could this be the cause of my noise? How difficult is it to change the crash bar assembly? Thanks in advance.
You can also try brazing if your welder isn't up to the task.
Or just cut that sucker off!
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 1,698
Likes: 2
From: Bellows Falls Vermont
Rattle
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 151
Likes: 0
From: Laredo Texas
I have had the same problem, but i checked, that if you increase the tall on your car, with (low-up) bolts on spring, the sound disappear, i recommend to try with this bolts, you must ajust the bolts, Left = Right.
I have other problem on the suspension, right front side is lower than left, which could be the problem?? may be the shock with low pressure? i have never changed the shocks, are OEM, my car is 99, with 80k mi.
I have other problem on the suspension, right front side is lower than left, which could be the problem?? may be the shock with low pressure? i have never changed the shocks, are OEM, my car is 99, with 80k mi.
Last edited by JOHN/WS6; Mar 11, 2010 at 12:40 PM.
