Knocking sound front end 97 Grand Prix GT

[mainecrab]

I am hearing a knocking like sound. I thought it may still be something suspension related but I just replaced both outer tie rods on both sides, wheel bearing on one side ABS Light was on, and inner on passenger side, driver side had no play and was able hold itself up under its own weight.

I as well had the rear struts replaced because of bottoming out. Had an alignment and inspection just done too.

I went ahead and raised each front wheel up and tried to move it around and check for any play and none was found on any side. Sway bar bushings all look good. I even taped down my broken hood stand rod since the plastic for it is broken to see if that as it and still not it.

It sounds like a pipe or something knocking against something and it doesn't get worse if I turn or go over bumps just seems even if I am going straight I can still hear it.

Maybe the front struts? I pushed down on the sides and I see the top of the strut come up some but that seems like it should do that when compressed or maybe not? I can push it down and it returns back without bouncing.

Getting tired of this car and its weird issues.

Seems to drive fine maybe at high speed a little of a movement in the steering wheel but like said there is no play in the wheels side to side or up to down on either side.

Motor mounts? Top ones seem alright though one looks like it could need replaced. I cant tell where its coming from it most of the time sounds like it is on the passenger side then I hear it more in the middle or driver too.

[mainecrab]

Now that I think, maybe the front strut top isn't supposed to moving out the too when pushing down. Shouldn't the strut be compressing and that stay stationary to the body?

[loopy smurf]

You checked your sway bushings, but what about your endlinks and the bar itself?

Also, when my hubs went out, there was not play in my wheel when I jacked them up and checked them - just made noise.

[Scottydoggs]

i went through this too. i had every thing changed, racked, it went bad, strut mounts, were also shot, tie rods all shot, clunk was still there, till the lca's were changed, then silence finally.

[paedbo]

Some ppl forget to check The front vertical bushing on the lower control arm. The bushing can look fine but if u use a pry bar and can slide the lower control arm up and down on the bushing it needs to be replaced. Dont pry on it too hard tho.

[stocker]

Now that I think, maybe the front strut top isn't supposed to moving out the too when pushing down. Shouldn't the strut be compressing and that stay stationary to the body?

I think you're on to something. My understanding (given that I just replaced the front suspension in my car) is that if you're looking at the top of the strut with the hood open and bouncing the car, nothing should be moving up there. Your strut mounts could be shot and I've heard those can make lots of noises. I'd say that is you best bet at this point.

[Scottydoggs]

pop the hood engine running, now rock the wheel left and right, watch the center of the strut mount, if its moving all over its shot.

mine were shot, why i changed them, and the clunk went on and on lol a little less but still there till the lca's were changed.

[mainecrab]

Thanks for all the updates everyone! I went ahead and ordered new struts for the front and will try what you said to further confirm the strut having issues, but with the car parked in the garage last night and the hood open and pushing on the side I can see the top moving up through the hole some. Not much but if this is only supposed to move left and right for turning then this mount is shot. The rubber is starting to deteriorate that I can see and I believe that when driving longer, it warms up and gets more spongy and more loud.

I will keep in mind the Lower Control Arms as well as I had checked the ball joints or rather one side last night again after watching a YouTube video of testing by jacking up as usual then using a pry bar or other to give more leverage and there was no sound moving it up or down at least on one side so far, but pretty sure the struts are making the noise and would explain why I hear it inside like its close to me on each side.

The back sounded similar before I changed those out as one side was totally bad. So if the noise is still there after these are changes ill check into the LCA, at least those are not too bad in pricing with the balljoint attached.

[Scottydoggs]

if your springs and struts are still good, how to test: push down on the fender then let the car spring back up, if it stops moving with in 3 bounces the struts are still good. most stop in 1.5 bounces.

if they come back ok, then buy new strut mounts, remove your struts and drop them off at a front end shop, have them change the mounts for you. i was charge liked 25 bucks for the pair. buy your own new mounts form a parts store, or the shop will add the parts mark up on you.

or if you have air tools and a spring compressor you can try changing them yourself. shop doing it is much safer.

[mainecrab]

Yeah I already bought Moog QuickStruts for the back so went with the same for the front. The struts did seem to spring back and may not be bad but for 81 bucks on RockAuto a piece I rather just replace it as a whole and be done with it then save a few bucks.

[mainecrab]

Just an update. I replaced the front struts tonight and wow, what a difference with them new all around. I never felt such comfort in this car before. So if your strut tops move when you push down and you have clunking on the front near the top of the car then I would replace your struts too. Heck, if it doesn't feel new I would say do it too, I wish I did this years ago.

[stocker]

Glad this helped improve your ride. So the big question, is the knocking gone?!

[mainecrab]

Sorry yeah the knocking is gone. The sound was the upper strut bouncing up through the hole because the mounts were worn. Now no more suspension sounds and just got it aligned again today since the new quick struts did change the height a bit higher. Waiting to get home to drive it since wife took it in for me but I did drive it after the strut install.