help please

[davisg]

hi i am new to this forum. I have an 05 grand prix with a problem. Whenever i brake or accelerate there is a snap and or crackling sound coming from the left front area. I had it checked out and thread lock was applied to the welds because the dealer said it was the cradle welds that crackle. That cost 300 to do and it did not make a difference. They now say that if that did not work then the cradle has to be replaced at a cost of 2 grand. The damned car is not even 3 years old yet. Does this sound normal or has anyone else had this sound happen to them? Thanks

[Reptile]

Wait....they put thread locker on the welds???????

Usually welds need to be...well.....welded.

[Sabrewings]

Wait....they put thread locker on the welds???????

Usually welds need to be...well.....welded.

There is a TSB out for the aluminum cradles about this. Though I haven't heard of it being so pronounced, but the TSB is just as he described. Small spaces in between the metal need to be filled.

There is no danger to the weld strength, it's only annoying. IMO, it could also be that the cradle bolts are loose.

[Reptile]

I'm gonna have to look this up tomorrow. That sounds just ridiculous.

[blowfishRus6]

mine does the same thing. mechnic replased motor mounts but did no good. he said my struit bushings might be bad. idk

[Sabrewings]

I've posted the TSB number on here before somewhere. Otherwise I'll have to look it up in the SI manual again.

[davisg]

hey guys,been away awhile thanks for the replys. the trick i did was fill the cradel with expanding insulation foam an the coated it in black tar undercoating. Sounds lame but no more crackling. the foam absorbs the sound. last semi annual the dealer looked at me funny but hey it worked.

[MrTube]

davisg : i've had many mechanics at dealers look at me funny. After having an argument with one of them about "lockup" torque converters and them INSISTING theres no clutch inside of any torque converter I pretty much stopped caring what they thought..

I mean.. a lockup converter has only existed for what... 30 years, so why should a mechanic be aware of them?

And its not just dealers. Smaller shops as well, altho I have found a few that had truly GOOD mechanics who care about the quality of their work both dealers AND private shops.

[davisg]

ya i know what you mean. when you find a good true mechanic, stick with him or her. they are now few and far between. I know it sounds strange but the crackling has stopped since I mcgyvered the cradle and people here i've talked to about their same complaint have done it as well and it works while saving 1800 bucks doing it.

[wildman4910]

Yup , when you find a good mech, stick with them. The local Pontiac dealer here told my wife it was gonna cost $375 for a alternator and 1.5hrs labor to install. That night I changed it and the belt out in 15 minutes, and got the auto zone lifetime warranty alternator for like $95.