I've been dealing with a rattle in my front end for some time now. I've replaced the struts and mounts including the bearing and also recently did all the engine and tranny mounts. The rattle continues!!!!
It only does it when hitting decent sized bumps and it's more of a "clunking" rattle, if that makes any sense. I'm determined to fix this so my next step is going to be the control arm bushings and maybe the ball joints. Anyone ever have ball joints or bushing cause a heavy rattle? It's worse on the driver side but I "think" it's doing it on the passenger side as well.
2.2 97 Cavalier......the "Crapalier"
You waste alot less time and money trying to find the problem (even if you have to pay a shop diagnosis) then you do throwing parts at the car and hoping you get lucky and fix it.
Dealership said motor mounts and Firestone said struts and mounts. All have been replaced and the rattle is still there.
2.2 97 Cavalier......the "Crapalier"
ummmm. ball joints. tie rod ends. sway bar endlinks, sway bar D-bushings, loose rack bolts. bad a-arm bushings. theres still a ton left that could cause a front end rattle or clunk.
Wojo wrote:ummmm. ball joints. tie rod ends. sway bar endlinks, sway bar D-bushings, loose rack bolts. bad a-arm bushings. theres still a ton left that could cause a front end rattle or clunk.
Agreed
M62, 42's, ZZP 3", ZZP S3 H/E
214whp 190wtq
I can rule out the rack bolts since it was replaced last year. I don't think it's anything with the swaybar as I've inspected the bushings and endlinks and they look fine. Actually, the ball joints don't have any play either. I checked them when I had the struts pulled.
I'm going to do the a-arm bushings this weekend. They actually look pretty easy and it will let me check the ball joints again.
2.2 97 Cavalier......the "Crapalier"
Masintenn wrote:Dealership said motor mounts and Firestone said struts and mounts. All have been replaced and the rattle is still there.
I hope this doesn't piss anybody off....but seriously...this is exactly why I DON'T go to shops! LOTS of people on here say take it to a
shop to have it "Properly" diagnosed.
Then they will say you should have taken it to a better shop.
- They are just better at adding to the list of crap they think you should replace.
Sorry to all those this might piss off, but in their defense, for those that don't know much about cars...yeah...you gotta go to a shop since you will just end up replacing everything to find the problem that was probably cheap to begin with.
"Never argue with an idiot. They'll drag you down to their level, then beat you with experience!" -Anonymous
Sometimes shops have to go through the process of elimination too. I don't mind replacing a few extra parts as long as I get to the problem. At 12 years old and 155,000 miles, the suspension and steering need some care anyway!
Weekend gameplan: 1. replace the passenger side strut mount and bearing 2. replace the driver side a-arm bushings 3. further inspect the ball joints 4. get an alignment
2.2 97 Cavalier......the "Crapalier"
I won't pay anyone to touch my car, although the previous owner kept it dealership maintained.
