Suspension Rattles
#1
09-21-2004 | 11:41 PM
Thread Starter
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 26
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Suspension Rattles
Hi everyone, I'm new here so bear with me. I'm having some suspension rattling with my 2003 Stratus (you can find more info about it in the new member post, look for 2K3RTSEDAN).
Several weeks ago I started to experience some noises coming from the driver side suspension, front of car. Here is what I can gather on it to date:
- It seems to get louder as the car has been driven longer. When I leave my driveway in the morning to go to work, it's quiet, 27 miles later, it's making noise.
- It sounds like it's high up in the car, possibly at the strut tower
- When I turn, seems to go away
- Sounds almost like a rattle, but also sounds like there is a rubber isolator of some sort rubbing against something (this I heard today for the first time). Going over bumps can be noisey, smooth roads can be quiet (but will still make an occasional noise).
- Also seems to correct itself sometimes (it'll randomly go away, then come back) - very weird
I just had the lower control arm replaced on it, as the threaded portion of the stabilizer link was literally sawing it's way through the arm. I also just had the front brakes done on the car. This rattle goes back beyond these repairs though.
One clown told me it was the inner pad rattling. So I said "why is it when I brake, it still makes these noises?" The same clown had no response for that. Besides, if it was the inner pad, problem would have gone away with the new brakes right?
My theory? I think it is the strut or strut plate binding, or loose, or broke or something. Car doesn't bounce at all though. I have mentioned the strut to the above clown and he dismissed it.
So what do you guys think? Ask your friends, put your heads together, ask your mechanic friends. Has any of you experienced this? I'd love to find out. Sorry this was so long...I look forward to your replies.
Several weeks ago I started to experience some noises coming from the driver side suspension, front of car. Here is what I can gather on it to date:
- It seems to get louder as the car has been driven longer. When I leave my driveway in the morning to go to work, it's quiet, 27 miles later, it's making noise.
- It sounds like it's high up in the car, possibly at the strut tower
- When I turn, seems to go away
- Sounds almost like a rattle, but also sounds like there is a rubber isolator of some sort rubbing against something (this I heard today for the first time). Going over bumps can be noisey, smooth roads can be quiet (but will still make an occasional noise).
- Also seems to correct itself sometimes (it'll randomly go away, then come back) - very weird
I just had the lower control arm replaced on it, as the threaded portion of the stabilizer link was literally sawing it's way through the arm. I also just had the front brakes done on the car. This rattle goes back beyond these repairs though.
One clown told me it was the inner pad rattling. So I said "why is it when I brake, it still makes these noises?" The same clown had no response for that. Besides, if it was the inner pad, problem would have gone away with the new brakes right?
My theory? I think it is the strut or strut plate binding, or loose, or broke or something. Car doesn't bounce at all though. I have mentioned the strut to the above clown and he dismissed it.
So what do you guys think? Ask your friends, put your heads together, ask your mechanic friends. Has any of you experienced this? I'd love to find out. Sorry this was so long...I look forward to your replies.
#2
09-27-2004 | 04:26 AM
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 16
Likes: 0
RE: Suspension Rattles
it doesnt sound like anything related to the struts at all... id check your springs though... they should have spring isolators at the top... Small pieces of rubber or polyurethane that hold the top of the spring in place...
It could even be a trans mount or a motor mount.
you said it gets noisier while it drives?
That sounds like wheel bearings. when you turn it would put pressure on the bearings and the noise would go away....
It could even be a trans mount or a motor mount.
you said it gets noisier while it drives?
That sounds like wheel bearings. when you turn it would put pressure on the bearings and the noise would go away....