Please help me identify front end noise
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 311
Likes: 14
From: Eagle Pass Texas
Please help me identify front end noise
well, i dont really post much, well because I always search and find great answers from you all, but this time im finally stumped....
i have an 02 c5Z06 with 60k miles, i have been having a front end clicking/popping noise at low speeds/turns, like getting in or around parking lots....all i have searched says sway bar bushings or endlinks....so i cleaned bushings, lubed them up and same thing, so i said screw this and took off the whole front sway bar with endlinks....and it still makes the damn noises....
what i have noticed, with the engine running, parked in neutral and turning the steering wheel all the way either left or right will create these noises, i think almost more noticeable when turning all the way right, and no its not the front tires rubbing on the ground, i can hear them also and its a different sound
I also have noticed these noises come on when im coming to a stop after i let of the brakes, like when there is weight transfer, or when taking off from a stop at normal speeds...not all the time, just most of the time
so my question is, could bad shocks cause this (btw lowered on stock bolts), is it a control arm bushing? or any other bushings that i dont know of, maybe something wrong with my steering components? Any input is greatly appreciated, thanx
i have an 02 c5Z06 with 60k miles, i have been having a front end clicking/popping noise at low speeds/turns, like getting in or around parking lots....all i have searched says sway bar bushings or endlinks....so i cleaned bushings, lubed them up and same thing, so i said screw this and took off the whole front sway bar with endlinks....and it still makes the damn noises....
what i have noticed, with the engine running, parked in neutral and turning the steering wheel all the way either left or right will create these noises, i think almost more noticeable when turning all the way right, and no its not the front tires rubbing on the ground, i can hear them also and its a different sound
I also have noticed these noises come on when im coming to a stop after i let of the brakes, like when there is weight transfer, or when taking off from a stop at normal speeds...not all the time, just most of the time
so my question is, could bad shocks cause this (btw lowered on stock bolts), is it a control arm bushing? or any other bushings that i dont know of, maybe something wrong with my steering components? Any input is greatly appreciated, thanx
Tech Contributor
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 19,470
Likes: 1,170
From: Dyer, IN
well, i dont really post much, well because I always search and find great answers from you all, but this time im finally stumped....
i have an 02 c5Z06 with 60k miles, i have been having a front end clicking/popping noise at low speeds/turns, like getting in or around parking lots....all i have searched says sway bar bushings or endlinks....so i cleaned bushings, lubed them up and same thing, so i said screw this and took off the whole front sway bar with endlinks....and it still makes the damn noises....
what i have noticed, with the engine running, parked in neutral and turning the steering wheel all the way either left or right will create these noises, i think almost more noticeable when turning all the way right, and no its not the front tires rubbing on the ground, i can hear them also and its a different sound
I also have noticed these noises come on when im coming to a stop after i let of the brakes, like when there is weight transfer, or when taking off from a stop at normal speeds...not all the time, just most of the time
so my question is, could bad shocks cause this (btw lowered on stock bolts), is it a control arm bushing? or any other bushings that i dont know of, maybe something wrong with my steering components? Any input is greatly appreciated, thanx
i have an 02 c5Z06 with 60k miles, i have been having a front end clicking/popping noise at low speeds/turns, like getting in or around parking lots....all i have searched says sway bar bushings or endlinks....so i cleaned bushings, lubed them up and same thing, so i said screw this and took off the whole front sway bar with endlinks....and it still makes the damn noises....
what i have noticed, with the engine running, parked in neutral and turning the steering wheel all the way either left or right will create these noises, i think almost more noticeable when turning all the way right, and no its not the front tires rubbing on the ground, i can hear them also and its a different sound
I also have noticed these noises come on when im coming to a stop after i let of the brakes, like when there is weight transfer, or when taking off from a stop at normal speeds...not all the time, just most of the time
so my question is, could bad shocks cause this (btw lowered on stock bolts), is it a control arm bushing? or any other bushings that i dont know of, maybe something wrong with my steering components? Any input is greatly appreciated, thanx
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 311
Likes: 14
From: Eagle Pass Texas
I will definitely try to have someone turn the wheels while its lifted and check spring bolts, its just so hot here in sw texas (121 heat index) but ill post up what i can find ....
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 311
Likes: 14
From: Eagle Pass Texas
A little update:
Well, i inspected the area of the control arm where it meets the bolts/bushing, and it was very filthy, it had so much dirt, crud, and gravel type stuff, i cleaned it all off, and even decided to remove the bolts completely to lower it a bit more....well i did and the noise was still there, so just for giggles I put some cardboard in between the leaf spring and control arm.....and whaalaa, the noise is gone, i even went around a few parking lots even McD's drive thru where it always made the noise, and nothing...all gone...
but....it didnt last, after a day and a half it started coming on again, so i now know what it is, i dont know what exactly happened to the cardboard, i have not lifted car or removed tires but im gonna put somthing a little better than cardboard inbetween there, ive heard on here people suggesting bondo applicator pads, linoleum, etc
Well, i inspected the area of the control arm where it meets the bolts/bushing, and it was very filthy, it had so much dirt, crud, and gravel type stuff, i cleaned it all off, and even decided to remove the bolts completely to lower it a bit more....well i did and the noise was still there, so just for giggles I put some cardboard in between the leaf spring and control arm.....and whaalaa, the noise is gone, i even went around a few parking lots even McD's drive thru where it always made the noise, and nothing...all gone...
but....it didnt last, after a day and a half it started coming on again, so i now know what it is, i dont know what exactly happened to the cardboard, i have not lifted car or removed tires but im gonna put somthing a little better than cardboard inbetween there, ive heard on here people suggesting bondo applicator pads, linoleum, etc
Last edited by z0stix; Jun 27, 2012 at 11:49 PM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 2,754
Likes: 380
From: South Florida FL
here's mine
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a2EtZ-ziD2M&feature=plcp
it will need insulation, I even polished the A arm, then put anti sieze it, but that lasted about a month before it was back again. I'm still on the hunt for the right material to put there that will hold up.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a2EtZ-ziD2M&feature=plcp
it will need insulation, I even polished the A arm, then put anti sieze it, but that lasted about a month before it was back again. I'm still on the hunt for the right material to put there that will hold up.
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Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 311
Likes: 14
From: Eagle Pass Texas
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 311
Likes: 14
From: Eagle Pass Texas
UPDATE: Well it was only 99* outside the other day so I decided to work on the car in this cooler weather....I checked and the the leaf spring had cut through the cardboard, ok so now what to put?? I couldnt really find anything that was just laying around, so i decided to cut up some pieces off an old bicycle tire, not the inner tube but the actual tire with tread, i cut about maybe 2.5"x2.5" squares and they fit nicely under the spring, and has not made a noise in over a week, i really hope this lasts...it even seems as if the ride is better up front now, but maybe thats just me....
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 5,393
Likes: 17
From: Belleville Mich.
Try this next time.
use the same buffers that seemed to quiet things down.
Set in place directly where the adjuster threads are on the bottom of the spring.
Put tension on the end of the spring to get it off the c/arm.
Wrap duct tape completely around the spring & rubber buffer that you are using.
That will keep the rubber buffer in place.
That is what I did when I had my adjusters completely out.
( I only had them out for less than a month ) Ride was way way to harsh.
Went with coil overs & have never looked back.
use the same buffers that seemed to quiet things down.
Set in place directly where the adjuster threads are on the bottom of the spring.
Put tension on the end of the spring to get it off the c/arm.
Wrap duct tape completely around the spring & rubber buffer that you are using.
That will keep the rubber buffer in place.
That is what I did when I had my adjusters completely out.
( I only had them out for less than a month ) Ride was way way to harsh.
Went with coil overs & have never looked back.
