rattling/clunking in front end

12-22-2004, 01:55 AM

my car has some rattling in the front end. it sounds like something is just loose. it is hard to describe. the car has 60 K on it. the struts should be good. i am pretty easy on the car. you get the rattle with any non-blacktoped surface, it can be as little as a rock road. also, when i apply the brakes, sometimes i hear a small ticking noise. it almost sounds like ball joints making noise. i don't know if anyone has had similar problems but i would like to fix them. i have already applied grease to the top of the strut mounts. what else can i grease/tighten in the suspension on the front of the car?

NorKoastal · 12-22-2004, 11:21 AM

60K is > the life of a stock strut... Replace that then listen..

12-22-2004, 02:58 PM

tell me your joking. how will i know it they are bad? the car doesn't seem to sag or sway on corners. the ride is the same as normal, a bit stiff.

NorKoastal · 12-22-2004, 05:30 PM

The ticking and the rattle have to be from two different sources....

Struts, and strut mounts are wearable parts... Get some lithium grease and shower the inside of your strut towers from the top slits (under the hood) Not sure if you used this type of grease or not. Check the pads and brakes for any play or excessive wear.... Might need some tightening... How many miles on the struts??? How are the rotors?? Any big grooves??

12-23-2004, 12:18 AM

after doing some reading, i found another member who had this same ticking. he called it a creaking. he said it was from dirty calipers. after he cleaned and oiled the moving parts, the noise went away. it felt like this was brake related. off to the slight clunking. the noise feels like something is just a hair loose. yes, i used lithium grease in these grooves. i didn't explain that very well. the struts have 60K on them. the brakes rotors don't have any deep groves and the pads appear to be in great shape, well they have plenty of pad. i don't think the clunking is related to brakes though. i am not sure what else to check. i don't even know if you really want to call it a clunking. it is more like a rattling clunk that that happens several times per a few seconds if your on a rock road for example. it can be flat. this doesn't happen when hitting pot holes, just a nice rock road.

NorKoastal · 12-23-2004, 11:04 AM

I had creaking... My issue was from bad pads.. Get some brake silicone grease (none on the pad surface).. It is made for the greasable slides and the back of the pads... This should help...

60K is still alot for the struts..

01-13-2005, 06:52 PM

Ok, I'm not sure what the problem is, but I've just encountered that my self. It sounds like it is coming from the steering area under the hood. I think I've narrowed it down to either a.) a ball joint or b.) the rack and pinion. I took it to the mechanic to have a ball bearing fixed on the right side and then the sound (rattling and clanking when I turn the wheel) started up. He said it was the rack and pinion, and that it's not worth the money to fix it. Though to me it sounds like a ball joint which is a serious problem, if that goes, then the tire falls off. I would first check those two things

Zurge · 02-13-2005, 07:56 PM

I too have a cluncking noise coming from the front drivers side of my car, and passengers. The drivers side is alot more noticeable. I have yet been able to find out what is making that noise.

GAGT7386 · 02-13-2005, 08:46 PM

I have the same problem ... keep us posted if you find anything out

ram444 · 02-13-2005, 08:50 PM

Try getting youre ty rods looked at. I had to have mine replaced around the same time.

02-16-2005, 10:01 PM

the ticking/creaking was just the front pistons in the calipers. there is a TSB going around on that now. you guys are referring to a different clunk than i am. mine really isn't a clunk. when i am going like 10 mph on a flat rock road i can hear a rattling noise that sounds like it is suspension related. it only does it when its cold outside. i am not sure how to explain it. it almost appears to be the shock covers (i am not sure if this is what they are called but the plastic/rubber material piece that protects the shocks inside the springs) is rattling.

Hodge · 02-16-2005, 10:22 PM

my whole suspension clunks like a mother****er... cause my struts are shot, which i replace next week. we will see if my mounts are shot

NorKoastal · 02-17-2005, 12:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cals400ex

the ticking/creaking was just the front pistons in the calipers. there is a TSB going around on that now. you guys are referring to a different clunk than i am. mine really isn't a clunk. when i am going like 10 mph on a flat rock road i can hear a rattling noise that sounds like it is suspension related. it only does it when its cold outside. i am not sure how to explain it. it almost appears to be the shock covers (i am not sure if this is what they are called but the plastic/rubber material piece that protects the shocks inside the springs) is rattling.

Sounds like your referring to the strut mounts.... I replaced mine and the noise is still there.... Im going to get a full blown inspection/drive test so I can fix that sound... Its not loud, but annoying knowing its there...

JermsGAGT03 · 02-17-2005, 03:26 PM

ok I have the same issue and been having it for over 2 years now. The dealership has put at least 3 new sets of struts and strut mounts and both sides of the car and still hasn't fixed it yet. But just about 2 weeks ago it was in there again for that same problem and when I am sitting still turning the steering wheel bck and forth from left to right it was making sort of a clunking noise too so they put a new steering gear box in and said that it would take care of both problems but it didn't. The car no longer makes that noise when I turn my steering wheel but it does still clunk in the front end. Just to let ya'll know I have called GM so much with the issues on this car that they extended my warranty to 7 years/75,000 miles for free and when I got it out of the shop last time they gave me free oil changes/tire rotations for free. If more of us starts calling in on these damn cars and they have to start paying out more then maybe they'll get off there ass and start fixing them. Who knows maybe we can get a recall on em and get it fixed even if your cars out of warranty. Just call em up and tell them u just wanted to let them know what ur going thru with your car.

02-18-2005, 03:34 PM

I have this same problem and its starting to really annoy me.i could here it right when i bought my car about 1yr ago but just a little clunk.I had it in the GM shop twice they dint know wtf it was or if they could even hear it. after my warrenty ran out it just got allot worse (figures). tuesday 22nd i have an appointment at the GM dealership that i bought my car at and were going for a drive to see wtf it is i'll keep you guys posted.

brsexton · 02-18-2005, 05:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sc0oB

I have this same problem and its starting to really annoy me.i could here it right when i bought my car about 1yr ago but just a little clunk.I had it in the GM shop twice they dint know wtf it was or if they could even hear it. after my warrenty ran out it just got allot worse (figures). tuesday 22nd i have an appointment at the GM dealership that i bought my car at and were going for a drive to see wtf it is i'll keep you guys posted.

Have you had your Stabilizer bar bushings lubed or replaced? I had a Pop\clunk type noise. They replaced those and it went away for a few thousand miles, then it came back. I sprayed some lube on them and it went away again. This may or may not be the same issue you are having.

NorKoastal · 02-18-2005, 05:34 PM

Can Anyone post pictures of where they are referring to (talking about clunking/bars/bushings) and what parts are getting lubed or checked.. Might help everyone out a bit...

badboy2451 · 02-18-2005, 06:12 PM

mine sounds like the exhaust is loose and rattling a little bit, i checked the entire thing and nothing is loose. Anybody else relate to this noise that you guys are talking about??

Chevylover54 · 02-21-2005, 09:00 PM

I have the same sound in my car in the RF. It sounds like a bad strut to me.

02-22-2005, 10:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sc0oB

I have this same problem and its starting to really annoy me.i could here it right when i bought my car about 1yr ago but just a little clunk.I had it in the GM shop twice they dint know wtf it was or if they could even hear it. after my warrenty ran out it just got allot worse (figures). tuesday 22nd i have an appointment at the GM dealership that i bought my car at and were going for a drive to see wtf it is i'll keep you guys posted.

Ok so i brought it in today and the mechanic said it was the front right strut mount since it only clunks when i turn right.if i put my head by the strut mount and rock the car i hear a small click..so im gonna get that replaced ill keep u guys updated...i hope this works!!

12-22-2004, 01:55 AM	#1
cals400ex Guest Posts: n/a	rattling/clunking in front end my car has some rattling in the front end. it sounds like something is just loose. it is hard to describe. the car has 60 K on it. the struts should be good. i am pretty easy on the car. you get the rattle with any non-blacktoped surface, it can be as little as a rock road. also, when i apply the brakes, sometimes i hear a small ticking noise. it almost sounds like ball joints making noise. i don't know if anyone has had similar problems but i would like to fix them. i have already applied grease to the top of the strut mounts. what else can i grease/tighten in the suspension on the front of the car?

01-13-2005, 06:52 PM	#7
MizzyGt Guest Posts: n/a	clunking/rattling sound Ok, I'm not sure what the problem is, but I've just encountered that my self. It sounds like it is coming from the steering area under the hood. I think I've narrowed it down to either a.) a ball joint or b.) the rack and pinion. I took it to the mechanic to have a ball bearing fixed on the right side and then the sound (rattling and clanking when I turn the wheel) started up. He said it was the rack and pinion, and that it's not worth the money to fix it. Though to me it sounds like a ball joint which is a serious problem, if that goes, then the tire falls off. I would first check those two things

02-13-2005, 07:56 PM	#8
Zurge Black GAGT Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Lansing, MI Age: 38 Posts: 29 Vehicle: 1999 Grand Am GT Coupe	Clunck, Cluncky, Clunck. I too have a cluncking noise coming from the front drivers side of my car, and passengers. The drivers side is alot more noticeable. I have yet been able to find out what is making that noise.

02-13-2005, 08:46 PM	#9
GAGT7386 Stock & Proud Of It! AKA: Trason Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Hudsonville, MI Age: 35 Posts: 433 Vehicle: 2001 Grand Am GT	I have the same problem ... keep us posted if you find anything out __________________ PLESE STOP DOMESTIC ABUSE by saying no to all of the following: aluminium spoilers, large chrome exhaust, APC and NOS stickers, engulfing vinyl, hyperwhites, cut springs, stock black hoods on other color cars, steelies, $hit body kits that dont flow. We own domestic, lets act like it!

02-16-2005, 10:22 PM	#12
Hodge Chrome Wheel Lover AKA: CK Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Michigan Age: 33 Posts: 1,496 Vehicle: 2000 Grand Am Se	my whole suspension clunks like a mother****er... cause my struts are shot, which i replace next week. we will see if my mounts are shot __________________ 2000 Grand Am SE

12-22-2004, 11:21 AM	#2
NorKoastal WhiteOutGT AKA: Brad Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: NorCal Age: 40 Posts: 911 Vehicle: 2000 GA GT Coupe	60K is > the life of a stock strut... Replace that then listen..

12-22-2004, 02:58 PM	#3
cals400ex Guest Posts: n/a	tell me your joking. how will i know it they are bad? the car doesn't seem to sag or sway on corners. the ride is the same as normal, a bit stiff.

12-22-2004, 05:30 PM	#4
NorKoastal WhiteOutGT AKA: Brad Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: NorCal Age: 40 Posts: 911 Vehicle: 2000 GA GT Coupe	The ticking and the rattle have to be from two different sources.... Struts, and strut mounts are wearable parts... Get some lithium grease and shower the inside of your strut towers from the top slits (under the hood) Not sure if you used this type of grease or not. Check the pads and brakes for any play or excessive wear.... Might need some tightening... How many miles on the struts??? How are the rotors?? Any big grooves??

12-23-2004, 12:18 AM	#5
cals400ex Guest Posts: n/a	after doing some reading, i found another member who had this same ticking. he called it a creaking. he said it was from dirty calipers. after he cleaned and oiled the moving parts, the noise went away. it felt like this was brake related. off to the slight clunking. the noise feels like something is just a hair loose. yes, i used lithium grease in these grooves. i didn't explain that very well. the struts have 60K on them. the brakes rotors don't have any deep groves and the pads appear to be in great shape, well they have plenty of pad. i don't think the clunking is related to brakes though. i am not sure what else to check. i don't even know if you really want to call it a clunking. it is more like a rattling clunk that that happens several times per a few seconds if your on a rock road for example. it can be flat. this doesn't happen when hitting pot holes, just a nice rock road.

12-23-2004, 11:04 AM	#6
NorKoastal WhiteOutGT AKA: Brad Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: NorCal Age: 40 Posts: 911 Vehicle: 2000 GA GT Coupe	I had creaking... My issue was from bad pads.. Get some brake silicone grease (none on the pad surface).. It is made for the greasable slides and the back of the pads... This should help... 60K is still alot for the struts..

02-13-2005, 08:50 PM	#10
ram444 Zoom Zoom AKA: rich Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: livonia michigan Age: 42 Posts: 239 Vehicle: 2006 Malibu SS	Try getting youre ty rods looked at. I had to have mine replaced around the same time.

02-16-2005, 10:01 PM	#11
cals400ex Guest Posts: n/a	the ticking/creaking was just the front pistons in the calipers. there is a TSB going around on that now. you guys are referring to a different clunk than i am. mine really isn't a clunk. when i am going like 10 mph on a flat rock road i can hear a rattling noise that sounds like it is suspension related. it only does it when its cold outside. i am not sure how to explain it. it almost appears to be the shock covers (i am not sure if this is what they are called but the plastic/rubber material piece that protects the shocks inside the springs) is rattling.

02-17-2005, 03:26 PM	#14
JermsGAGT03 GAGT - Newbie Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Beckley, WV Age: 38 Posts: 18 Vehicle: 2003 Grand Am GT Sedan	ok I have the same issue and been having it for over 2 years now. The dealership has put at least 3 new sets of struts and strut mounts and both sides of the car and still hasn't fixed it yet. But just about 2 weeks ago it was in there again for that same problem and when I am sitting still turning the steering wheel bck and forth from left to right it was making sort of a clunking noise too so they put a new steering gear box in and said that it would take care of both problems but it didn't. The car no longer makes that noise when I turn my steering wheel but it does still clunk in the front end. Just to let ya'll know I have called GM so much with the issues on this car that they extended my warranty to 7 years/75,000 miles for free and when I got it out of the shop last time they gave me free oil changes/tire rotations for free. If more of us starts calling in on these damn cars and they have to start paying out more then maybe they'll get off there ass and start fixing them. Who knows maybe we can get a recall on em and get it fixed even if your cars out of warranty. Just call em up and tell them u just wanted to let them know what ur going thru with your car.

02-18-2005, 03:34 PM	#15
Sc0oB Guest Posts: n/a	!@#$% clunk I have this same problem and its starting to really annoy me.i could here it right when i bought my car about 1yr ago but just a little clunk.I had it in the GM shop twice they dint know wtf it was or if they could even hear it. after my warrenty ran out it just got allot worse (figures). tuesday 22nd i have an appointment at the GM dealership that i bought my car at and were going for a drive to see wtf it is i'll keep you guys posted.

02-18-2005, 05:34 PM	#17
NorKoastal WhiteOutGT AKA: Brad Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: NorCal Age: 40 Posts: 911 Vehicle: 2000 GA GT Coupe	Can Anyone post pictures of where they are referring to (talking about clunking/bars/bushings) and what parts are getting lubed or checked.. Might help everyone out a bit...

02-18-2005, 06:12 PM	#18
badboy2451 GAGT - not so n00bee AKA: Zac Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: City of 3 rivers and 5 rings Age: 36 Posts: 1,426 Vehicle: 99 gt coupe	mine sounds like the exhaust is loose and rattling a little bit, i checked the entire thing and nothing is loose. Anybody else relate to this noise that you guys are talking about??

02-21-2005, 09:00 PM	#19
Chevylover54 GAGT - Newbie Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Byron, IL Age: 48 Posts: 29 Vehicle: 2001 Grand AM GT1	I have the same sound in my car in the RF. It sounds like a bad strut to me.

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