Suspension noises
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 5,707
Likes: 4
From: Los Angeles
Suspension noises
I have an old 2000 C5 with about 110,000m on it. The suspension has gradually made more and more clanky clackety racket when driving over bumpy roads. What exactly is causing all this noise and what do I have to replace to cure it? I searched but couldn't find any previous threads. I'm starting to accumulate a lot of little issues with the car and this is just one I'd like to start with. Thanks so much.
Rob
Rob
Tech Contributor
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 32,910
Likes: 2,402
From: Anthony TX
CI 6,7,8,9,11 Vet
St. Jude Donor '08
I would start with the EXHAUST SYSTEM. It hangs on some SPRINGS and they have been well known to get worn and loose and make all sorts of noise.
Get the car up on stands, ramps or on a lift and see if the exhaust hangers for the mid pipe and the rubber isolators for the mufflers are properly supporting the exhaust system.
If you shake the exhaust system and it makes noises, theres something wrong with it.
Bill
Get the car up on stands, ramps or on a lift and see if the exhaust hangers for the mid pipe and the rubber isolators for the mufflers are properly supporting the exhaust system.
If you shake the exhaust system and it makes noises, theres something wrong with it.
Bill
Tech Contributor
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 32,910
Likes: 2,402
From: Anthony TX
CI 6,7,8,9,11 Vet
St. Jude Donor '08
After the exhaust I would check out the swaybar links. Early year cars had plastic links and they are well known for failure causing noise as well as lots more body roll when you are in corners. You might also check out the condition of the sway bar bushings. They are rubber and do deteriorate over time....
Bill
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 5,707
Likes: 4
From: Los Angeles
Thanks guys. I will investigate some time this week. I have a feeling it's more than the exhaust. I'll take a look at those sway bar parts too. I will keep you posted.
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 5,707
Likes: 4
From: Los Angeles
Hello again guys. Alright so I have investigated a lot of things for the past two months. First, my exhaust is solid and tight. Kicked it, pushed it, wiggled it and can't get a squeak out of it. Then on another day I jacked up the rear and took off the wheels. Inspected and wiggled every joint I could find. Then I tightened every bolt in sight. Another test drive and it's still there. After thinking about it, I thought maybe the shocks themselves had a problem. So I jacked it up again and removed the shocks completely. Another (wild) test drive and it still made clunking/knocking noises on the local rough road. Then I put the shocks back. Another day, after reading up on the subject some more, I jacked it up again and just for the hell of it, I removed the swayer end links. Another test drive and guess what? The noise is still there! I'm at a loss for any other ideas. Maybe the chassis is not bolted to the frame? Hell, I don't know. I've had this car since it was new. No accidents to speak of. I put new wheel bearings on it last year. The A-arm bushings look fine. (I don't want to take those off for a test drive. :-D) HELP!! HELP!! I'm drowning in frustration.
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 5,707
Likes: 4
From: Los Angeles
Ok. For those who give a crap, I have finally found the problem! It was indeed the swayer links. Myself and everybody who heard it, thought it was coming from the rear. When I removed the rear links, it was still there. Just for the hell of it, I removed the front links and the car was as quiet as new. Thanks for those who helped. Easy fix in the end. Just a bitch to figure out why I was being deceived by where it was coming from. Live and learn.
Thanks again
Rob
Thanks again
Rob
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 6,644
Likes: 479
From: OK
Ok. For those who give a crap, I have finally found the problem! It was indeed the swayer links. Myself and everybody who heard it, thought it was coming from the rear. When I removed the rear links, it was still there. Just for the hell of it, I removed the front links and the car was as quiet as new. Thanks for those who helped. Easy fix in the end. Just a bitch to figure out why I was being deceived by where it was coming from. Live and learn.
Thanks again
Rob
Thanks again
Rob
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 1,947
Likes: 8
From: Redwood City CA
Rob,
I am trying to chase down a suspension clunk as well. I hear the noise going over low speed bumps/bumpy road.
When you say that you removed the endlinks, to test. Did you just unhook/remove the end links from the car entirely and go for a drive?
I am trying to chase down a suspension clunk as well. I hear the noise going over low speed bumps/bumpy road.
When you say that you removed the endlinks, to test. Did you just unhook/remove the end links from the car entirely and go for a drive?
Safety Car
Joined: Mar 2016
Posts: 3,534
Likes: 432
From: Atlantic Beach FL.
If you disconnect them you should be able to feel any wear or play. With them installed it may be hard to tell because of the tension.
A clunk can be other things (ball joints, wheel hubs, loose bolts etc..). You need to get it up and inspect it.
I know, wrong Rob. lol.
A clunk can be other things (ball joints, wheel hubs, loose bolts etc..). You need to get it up and inspect it.
I know, wrong Rob. lol.