rattling/clunking in front end

[JermsGAGT03]

I have had at least 3 sets of struts and strut mounts put on both sides of my car and I still have the clunking noise. I'm beginning to think that might not be our problem or at least not mine anyways. Keep us posted if that fixes ur car.

[NorKoastal]

I might try the rubber gasket Idea out in the next month.... Raise the car unbolting the strut mount to the tower only on the top.. Then I am going to slip a piece of rubber "material" into the gap between the tower and the mount.. Then tighten it all back up.. If the noise suppresses than I know that the mount is not compressed enough for the unit to settle without bouncing around and "clunking over pebbles"

[bigtard]

I have a clunking noise in the front of my Grand Am. It's not the struts. They were replaced about 8,000 miles ago. It's not the ball joints. Those were recently inspected. The mechanic said it's probably the rack and pinion. They said it would cost $700 to fix.

I hear it whenever I drive over just about anything - cracks in the road, expansion joints, manhole covers, etc.

[GMFreak]

Haha, I have this exact same problem on my '99 SE2. Replaced brakes, tie rod ends, sway bar links.. still makes the noise. Hopefully we figure this out.

hey guys the n-body cars have a few problem areas that could relate to these problems...some areas that u should check out are, strut mounts,sway-bar bushings,ball joints,tie rods, and also one that i havent seen in this post yet would be the control arm bushings. this is the round bushin in the rear part of your control arm, take off the wheel of the suspected side and use a light to look at the bushing, if there are craks or tears or if the bushing is tearing out of the metal sleeve that will give u a nocking noise...very simple to replace but the bushing has to be pressed in and out

[nate2023]

Mine does the same "knocking/clunking" and its a passanger side Strut mount, tightening and greasing wont help when the bearing on the mount goes bad. Mine does it on stoney drivways and dirt roads. Expect everything on the passanger side to break, I already went through one of them, replacing it the first time fixed it, but i'm an aggressive driver and it went again.

[2000GAGT]

so i was driving down a dirt road that became ugly and i was basically "off roading" (not on purpose) long story short...now when i turn the wheel either direction there are "click / popping / clunk" sounds. this only happens at a dead stop or very light speeds in a parking lot. no sounds over bumps or at highway speeds. also when i jacked up the front end and turned the wheel either way there is no sound. what would cause it to only make sounds when it on the ground? i checked the tie rods, balljoints and CVs but there is no noticeable leaks or cracks. also when making a U-turn, the steering wheel then acts as if its slighty stuck to that direction and will pull that way down the road. is the steering gear sticking? or could it be something in the suspension?

[lone_wolf025]

Originally Posted by 2000GAGT

so i was driving down a dirt road that became ugly and i was basically "off roading" (not on purpose) long story short...now when i turn the wheel either direction there are "click / popping / clunk" sounds. this only happens at a dead stop or very light speeds in a parking lot. no sounds over bumps or at highway speeds. also when i jacked up the front end and turned the wheel either way there is no sound. what would cause it to only make sounds when it on the ground? i checked the tie rods, balljoints and CVs but there is no noticeable leaks or cracks. also when making a U-turn, the steering wheel then acts as if its slighty stuck to that direction and will pull that way down the road. is the steering gear sticking? or could it be something in the suspension?

I got the same thing with the clicking/popping and stop/very light speed. My vote is the rack but I don't know for sure...

[williamGT]

My car does it now....Strut mounts replaced, Both ball joints, right front hub and all 4 rotors and brakes.....left front clunks, when I bounce the car on the left front end it makes a clunk sound and going slow and stopping.....sounds like swaybars?

[DaRkWaVe]

My car is doing this now as well. I believe the rack and pinion is rattling. Very annoying. This started after I replaced my wheel bearings for the second time.

[DaRkWaVe]

...Also the rattling goes away when the brakes are applied. I am stumped.

[gagt Mechanic]

the smart people at gm decided to make hollow sway bars on a lot of their vehicles. they break at the ends quiet offten, check where the sway bar connects to the link pins for cracks or total breaks. vert lower controle arm bushings are also very common. strut mounts go bad on average 40-60k, strut mounts are sold seperate from struts. clicking noises at low speeds and turning can also be caused by half shafts, check for ripped cv boots.

[GrandAmGT-2008]

i have 100k miles on my car, and my only rattling problem was the drivers side hood hinge rattling.

[DaRkWaVe]

Originally Posted by GrandAmGT-2008

i have 100k miles on my car, and my only rattling problem was the drivers side hood hinge rattling.

I'm jealous.

[scs411scs]

Originally Posted by DaRkWaVe

...Also the rattling goes away when the brakes are applied. I am stumped.

My car is doing the same thing...a little bit of searching turned up this service bulletin...might be worth a shot at seeing what is involved

EDIT: oops, forgot to include the link to the AD
Clunk, Rattle Noise from Front of Vehicle #01-05-22-001

[GrandAmGT-2008]

Originally Posted by DaRkWaVe

I'm jealous.

really? mine hasn't been bad at all.. only probs had was the lim leak, clogged cat, power steering pump, and the blower motor resistor. no rattles. plus i used to drive down a mile long dirt road a few times a day.

[2000GAGT]

to open an old thread, i figured out what was wrong with mine a while back. I had a broken spring!! some how i snapped the sucker in half yet it was still working? replaced it with a $30 one from a junk yard and all is well