Hi all..

I am a little stumped why I am still getting strut rod bushing noises. It was totally quiet for a bout a week and then it started to make noise again. The noise now is worse than before. I checked all the bolts and they are tight?

Was I supposed to grease them before I installed them?

Steering and driveability wise, it runs straght is smooth all the way to 80, and there seems to not other front end issues or symptoms...just FYI I replaced all the ball joints and all the tie rods and idlers too!

Thanks for the help!

 

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If I were you I wouldn't be too quick to pass that information around.

 

Funny alloro

I did get the Napa ones, and they were poly.

I really dont get squealling, more of a 'thudding'. It almost sounds like a couple of bowling pins knocking together...
I did notice the the replacements we smaller than the originals...

Maybe Ill make a video lol

In other van new, I replaced my original belt tensioner. Easy job...just move the coil.

 

From which parts store did you buy your belt tensioner? I am trying to find a quality unit that does not make a "rattling" noise at idle or when accelerating. Seems like a small thing but annoys the crap out of me.

The one I have on my 3.9 is from Advance Auto and it is really noisy. Been that way since I installed it.

 

TO Rusty93RamVan, I bought mine from O'Reilly Auto parts back in 2008, been very quiet and trouble free.

 

There is the problem, need to replace the bushings with the OEM size.

 

RE: Pully's
I just installed tensioner and idler pully's from NAPA.
They are made by Gates. (Saleman said they are better than the ones with Temkin bearings -- as he would, since he didn't have the TEM versions in stock.)
Note that the idler pully did not have the center spacer sleeve, so I had to use the one off the old pully.

 

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OK guys...So I got tired of trying to quick fix it things -- grease, liquid wrenching everything etc...
So what I did is have my wife put it in D and R and turn the wheel back and forth. I actually narrowed it down to the upper control arm. I first thought maybe the camber bolts were not tight. So I go my 1/2 ratchet out and tried to tighten them. They were super tight. So I decided lets try the front mounting nut of the control arm. WOW...only about 20lbs of torque was on that bolt. I tightened it up to 90Lbs and now all noises are gone!!!

I am surprised the nut was as loose as it was. It wasnt loose enough for hand, but by wrench you could tell it was super loose...Glad I caught it..Van is good