jevs

My car makes rattle noises in the front when I hit small bumps as if a strut is rattling or something. The steering seems tight and everything feels fine and nothing was found loose during the last inspection (not sure how well they checked things, but they are usually looking to fail you and sell you something). I figured it was about time to ask if anyone knows what this is. I jacked it up once and tried to locate it, but did not find anything. I did notice that the struts seem to come up at the top when the car is let down. Is this normal? It seems like this would allow for slop when you hit bumps. Do I just need new struts? The rebound dampening etc, seems fine, but then again I bought the car at 97K and it now has 127K or so. I have no idea what these are like new, but the car feels "tight" This noise has been there every since I can remember. It doesn't do it on the highway, just when I am going slow down a roud that is a little bumpy (like our chip and seal road in front of the house). Because It's fine driving on the highway I never worried about it. I do not have any previous owner service records to say what may have been replaced in the front as far as suspension components go, but I suspect that nothing has ever been changed.

jevs

After a couple hours of fooling with the car, I think the little noise is in the steering rack. Nothing else appears to make any noise, but if I pull in and out on the steering linking I can make what sounds like the same noise. The outer tie rods are tight as can be and there is no play whatsoever in the in wheel bearings or anything. The movement is very small. I am sure the rack is fine for a long time still, but that noise is annoying?

Anyone replaced a rack for small clunky noise when going over roads that arent very smooth?

jevs

I checked the rack preload adjustment and it is fine, and the play is only in the right side. Looks like you can get an inner tie rod for these, so I am going to order one.

J. Patterson

I had that too,as have others. The likely cause is a worn sway bar drop link. You can only find this with both front wheels off the ground. Wiggle one end of the sway bar up and down while both sides are unloaded.

jevs

It is the inner tie rod. I pulled it off yesterday.