Suspension Noise Help Please 08 GP GXP

[Corys GXP]

Hi, and thanks for taking the time to read this I have "4" problems that seemingly all started at once, and has progressively gotten worse over the last 1,000 miles. Here are the symptoms. 1) Light duty clunking over minor imperfections in the road that sounds like stab-links are worn, 2) Creaking/Popping noise that you can feel & hear while turning the wheels (you can feel this through the strut mounts), 3) Single audible clunk on initial forward take off after a stop (car has new motor mounts already), and 4) if you turn the wheels with the vehicle on the ground and engine off, you will get a single clunk from somewhere under the front of the car, and with that clunk, the steering wheel position will change!
Symptoms 1, 2, and 3 seem to almost be non-existent, or minor during the first few minutes of driving (weird!).

Oh, and the car seems to wander more than it should. Tie rods and ball joints both sides all feel very tight. Car has 97K miles.

Now here is what I have done so far. Since most the noise seemed to favor the drivers side, I replaced the left upper strut mount, the left stab link, and the left lower control arm. No change. Also replaced steering intermediate shaft. Motor mounts though done in December, could be faulty, but doubtful. I dont abuse the car, and is completely stock.

So before I drop $500 on a pair of new struts for this car to "see if the noises go away", or replace the rack due to symptom number 4, has anyone experienced this?

Thanks in advance for sharing your experience or suggestions.

[blueguy]

I had a clunking in mine that didn't go away after replacing mounts, hubs, tie rods, strut/strut mounts, etc.

Turned out to be the damn rack.

Go figure.

[Corys GXP]

Thanks Blueguy, the Rack is one item I was thinking due to symptom 4, and due to the clunking getting worse minutes after driving. Just weird I can feel it through the top of the struts.

[rottonj]

Hi, and thanks for taking the time to read this I have "4" problems that seemingly all started at once, and has progressively gotten worse over the last 1,000 miles. Here are the symptoms. 1) Light duty clunking over minor imperfections in the road that sounds like stab-links are worn, 2) Creaking/Popping noise that you can feel & hear while turning the wheels (you can feel this through the strut mounts), 3) Single audible clunk on initial forward take off after a stop (car has new motor mounts already), and 4) if you turn the wheels with the vehicle on the ground and engine off, you will get a single clunk from somewhere under the front of the car, and with that clunk, the steering wheel position will change!
Symptoms 1, 2, and 3 seem to almost be non-existent, or minor during the first few minutes of driving (weird!).

Oh, and the car seems to wander more than it should. Tie rods and ball joints both sides all feel very tight. Car has 97K miles.

Now here is what I have done so far. Since most the noise seemed to favor the drivers side, I replaced the left upper strut mount, the left stab link, and the left lower control arm. No change. Also replaced steering intermediate shaft. Motor mounts though done in December, could be faulty, but doubtful. I dont abuse the car, and is completely stock.

So before I drop $500 on a pair of new struts for this car to "see if the noises go away", or replace the rack due to symptom number 4, has anyone experienced this?

Thanks in advance for sharing your experience or suggestions.

Seems like you hit most of the trouble areas, although I am not a fan of replacing one side of anything. I would check that transmission mount for sure and get an alignment if you have not already. Post back your findings once you get this resolved. Good luck!

[blueguy]

Well 100k~ is usually the suspension failure mark for these cars.

It could be a plethora of things, unfortunately

[rottonj]

I agree, a 97k ball joint is usually not usually very tight and the factory are non greasable.

[jteske88]

strut bearings prolly dead. Balls can go to. Jack the car up and feel for play on rack and ball. End links are a easy and cheap place to start.

[Corys GXP]

Thanks for the input thus far. Reason for doing one side was that was where the noise seemed to be coming from (except the single, audible clunk that changes steering wheel position). Already did the upper strut mount (bearing plate) on the drivers side as well. Strange thing is, the noise can be "felt" directly over the struts (mounts) when the car is on the ground and suspension loaded. Simply due to the symptom #4, I am beginning to convince myself that it is a rack issue, and that the noise is simply transferring. I will throw in some new tie rod ends while I am at it. Unless someone has more info based on the symptoms, I think I will do the rack, probably next week. I will certainly post my findings on this! Thanks again.

[Gregorius]

Mad crazy easy to check/fix Guess: Loose Rack and pinion bolts. Pass side has that steel collar deal inside the boss.

[Corys GXP]

Will be putting it up on the rack tonight, definitely going to check the rack more closely.

[blueguy]

The turning clunk is usually the rack. Mine made a creaking/clunking on short back and forth turns...even more noticeable in park/very slow speed when you have the most steering effort needed. Once the car was in the air the noise went away completely.

[Corys GXP]

Well here is the update. Replaced the rack & pinion last night as well as the outer tie rod ends. Performed a "driveway alignment via tape measure and eye-balling it". It appeared a TSB had already been performed at one point on this car which involves a type of sealant on the rack & pinion on the drivers side rack-to-frame mount. Bolts were very tight. Bushing on the other side looked good. Alignment feels perfect, steering wheel is straight, drives straight, but the light clunking over light bumps returned within a few short miles. It steers tighter, less wandering, and did not hear the creaking/popping while turning. I suspect struts are now in order to completely take care of the rest of the noise. Will drive it to work tomorrow (37 miles) and see how it goes. Thanks for all of your input thus far!

[rottonj]

Struts are big bucks for this car, I'm sure you know that. Did you check or replace the transmission mount?

[Corys GXP]

The mounts on the passenger side are relatively new, and look good. I dont recall looking at any mounts on the drivers side. Is that where the trans mount is that you are asking about? I will have to take a closer look. Yes, you are 100% correct about the struts being big money. This whole suspension noise deal is turning into big money, lol. Funny I fix other peoples suspension issues regularly, and never any issue with locating a noise and doing what needs to be done. Not so much the case on my own car! Guess it is better on my own, than a customers.

[rottonj]

Yes the transmission mount is on the drivers side and it could make the noises you are hearing. I havn't replaced mine, but it looks like a simple job.Also if the car isn't a daily driver or is taken off the road for any time you can send the struts to Bilstein to be repaired for cheaper.

[Corys GXP]

Ok, car is fixed, noises are completely gone. Struts were the last piece of the puzzle. Never heard struts suddenly start making such horrible noises, but it is all good now. I bought new ones. May check to see what the cost is to have the originals rebuilt to see if the old ones are worth selling for someone else to have possible good cores for rebuild since these are not the easiest to find. Thanks all for your input.