Popping suspension noises during slow turns

[sidetrack]

Anyone experience this popping/clunking noise in these vids?
The popping noise only occurs during slow turns.

The noise is being amplified using Steelman wireless chassis ears hooked to the driver side lower control arm in this vid. I have already hooked the chassis ears to every suspension front-end component but I am having trouble narrowing the noise to one suspension component because the noise is heard throughout the entire system. I thought is was the swaybar endlinks and replaced them 3 days ago but the noise did not stop.

The noise in the vid is much louder because of the chassis ear amplification. I know there are a lot of different potential causes of suspension noises, such as inner/outer tie rods, endlinks, sway bar bushings/isolators, upper control arm bushings, tension strut bushings, brakes, steering rack, and ball joints.

I am just wondering if anyone has experienced the exact same noise/symptom shown in the vid. The noise only occurs at slow speeds when pulling into parking spots/driveways or when backing out.

p3z1ubmcUyg

MkFgJI2QTk4

[Rob@WretchedMS]

Check that your ball joint nuts are all tight,

Does it to it when your not moving at all and steering left and right?

Where do you live?

it sounds more like a creak from what i can here, but i'm not sure.

[sidetrack]

Check that your ball joint nuts are all tight,

Does it to it when your not moving at all and steering left and right?

Where do you live?

it sounds more like a creak from what i can here, but i'm not sure.

The popping sound is best heard 6 and 8 seconds into the first vid.
The creaking is other noises unrelated.

Unfortunately I don't have a good set of tools and have been using a local shop for my suspension changes/alignments.

Do you know the socket sizes for the lower control arm and tension strut ball joint bolts? I may try tightening them myself.

When the car is not moving I do hear a lighter popping/clunking noise when moving the steering wheel left and right. It is not as loud as the popping sound when driving. I thought this was coming from the steering column/rack, but the chassis ears ruled out the rack. I barely hear the noise when the chassis ears was attached to the steering rack bolts.

I live in Fremont CA and am always looking for a good/better suspension shop in my area.

[Rob@WretchedMS]

We have a dealer that is about an hour north of you in Fairfield, I could put you in contact with them if you'd like.

[sidetrack]

Check that your ball joint nuts are all tight,

Does it to it when your not moving at all and steering left and right?

Where do you live?

it sounds more like a creak from what i can here, but i'm not sure.

The popping sound is best heard 6 and 8 seconds into the first vid.
The creaking is other noises unrelated.

Unfortunately I don't have a good set of tools and have been using a local shop for my suspension changes/alignments.

Do you know the socket sizes for the lower control arm and tension strut? I may try tightening them myself.

When the car is not moving I do hear a lighter popping/clunking noise when moving the steering wheel left and right. It is not as loud as the popping sound when driving. I thought this was coming from the steering column/rack, but the chassis ears ruled out the rack. I barely hear the noise when the chassis ears was attached to the steering rack bolts.

I live in Fremont CA and am always looking for a good/better suspension shop in my area.

[daveaz]

Its hard to tell from that video, but i have the same exact issues you described

[sidetrack]

Here are the places in the video where the popping can be heard.

Seconds into the first video where popping is heard -
6 seconds, 8, 10, 18, 24, 31, 34, 36, 39, 46

Seconds into the second video where popping is heard -
1, 8, 9, 10, 12, 19, 22, 25

[sidetrack]

We have a dealer that is about an hour north of you in Fairfield, I could put you in contact with them if you'd like.

Thanks for the offer, but I think it is the same Chevy dealer that installed my bumpsteer kit about 4 months ago. I wasn't real happy with the whole installation as the Pedders trained tech had quit his job a few days before my appointment and a "regular" shop hand installed the bumpsteer kit. I was never told the Pedders guy quit until my install had begun. The alignment also wasn't done right and was a rush job.

I thought my popping noise might be from the bumpsteer install, but the chassis ears didn't pick up any loud noises on the steering rack.
Also, I hate going to car dealerships. The Chevy dealer was just like the Chrysler dealers. Not enough personal attention and I felt like "a number" in their system.

[sidetrack]

Its hard to tell from that video, but i have the same exact issues you described

Do you have an after market suspension? I have KWv2's and Hotchkis sway bars.

I did some more testing today and the loudest and clearest noise came from KW's driver side spring. I hadn't previously tested the spring.
But I can't think of why or how a spring could make the popping sound. I even tightened the KW's purple spring perch. The noise almost sounds like the purple perch is moving/twisting on the strut. But tightening the perch didn't stop the noise.

[jhs914]

Tension struts. Do a search. A common complaint.

[sidetrack]

Tension struts. Do a search. A common complaint.

Dealer replaced my tension struts 4 months ago due to torn bushings. I also tested the tension struts with the chassis ears and they were not making any noise. So many possibilities :roll:

[Husker]

I have the same issue/noise..but it is only turning the wheel to the right that I get it. Had the car in two weeks ago, they checked everything and couldn't find any issues...must just be one of those noises....

[sidetrack]

Success!!

The strut mount/bearing was the cause of the noise.
I sprayed some silicone lubricant into the top of the strut mount and the noise completely stopped.

The lubricant is probably a short term fix, but at least I now know what is wrong and will know what to replace if it starts making noise again.

After more probing with the Chassis Ears yesterday, I discovered the noise was loudest and clearest when the transmitters were attached to the KWv2 springs.
I called KW Automotive this morning and Tom Edge looked at my Youtube video and he immediately recognized the noise as bad strut mounts. Hats off to Tom Edge!
http://www.300cforums.com/forums/images/smilies/new/fest30.gif

http://www.300cforums.com/forums/attachments/problems-dealer-service/30300d1220414697-popping-suspension-noises-during-slow-turns-dsc00502s.jpg

[dms motorsport]

Success!!

The strut mount/bearing was the cause of the noise.
I sprayed some silicone lubricant into the top of the strut mount and the noise completely stopped.

The lubricant is probably a short term fix, but at least I now know what is wrong and will know what to replace if it starts making noise again.

After more probing with the Chassis Ears yesterday, I discovered the noise was loudest and clearest when the transmitters were attached to the KWv2 springs.
I called KW Automotive this morning and Tom Edge looked at my Youtube video and he immediately recognized the noise as bad strut mounts. Hats off to Tom Edge!
http://www.300cforums.com/forums/images/smilies/new/fest30.gif

http://www.300cforums.com/forums/attachments/problems-dealer-service/30300d1220414697-popping-suspension-noises-during-slow-turns-dsc00502s.jpg

The strut mounts have been a problematic issue, without a doubt. They are not discussed much on the forums, however. When I do a training install, I will have the guys put a washer on the top and bottom of the inner ruber bushing to help.

I live in Livermore, which is not too far from you. If you would like me to look at it for you, would be glad to do so

mike
dms

[sidetrack]

The strut mounts have been a problematic issue, without a doubt. They are not discussed much on the forums, however. When I do a training install, I will have the guys put a washer on the top and bottom of the inner ruber bushing to help.

I live in Livermore, which is not too far from you. If you would like me to look at it for you, would be glad to do so

mike
dms

That is real nice of you to offer to help. But I am OK now that I know what is causing the popping noise. If the popping returns I will replace the strut mounts.

[dms motorsport]

That is real nice of you to offer to help. But I am OK now that I know what is causing the popping noise. If the popping returns I will replace the strut mounts.

If you do replace them, put a washer top ad bottom of the rubbber ceter section, this seems to make it alittle stronger

Take care

mike
dms

[4406pak]

I just had the same problem with my 06 300C. I took it to my local dealer and they replaced the tie rod ends. It took care of the problem. I hope this helps.

[sidetrack]

I found the cause of the popping noise and found a fix.

The popping noise is/was my KW coilover spring snapping/banging against each other. I guess my KWv2 spring is wearing out.

As soon as I inserted rubber fuel line hose between the springs the popping stopped. Below is a pic of the fuel line hose.

I talked to Tom Edge at KW and he said he has never seen springs make these kind of noises. I guess I just have a freak/faulty spring.

KW had sent me replacement springs about 2 years ago for a different problem, so I have a good/extra set in the garage. Someday I may swap the springs for a true fix.

http://img236.imageshack.us/img236/9445/kwspringrubbernj9.jpg

[dms motorsport]

Spring bind is a common auto industry issue. But not on a spring that normally does not make noise

mike
dms

[sidetrack]

Spring bind is a common auto industry issue. But not on a spring that normally does not make noise

mike
dms

I am not familiar with spring bind or ever heard of it. Tom never mentioned it.

I havn't seen any other LX with this problem. My springs are over 2 years old. Maybe more LX owners will start to have this problem as their springs start to age.

[dms motorsport]

I am not familiar with spring bind or ever heard of it. Tom never mentioned it.

I havn't seen any other LX with this problem. My springs are over 2 years old. Maybe more LX owners will start to have this problem as their springs start to age.

I am sorry, I do not think I was specific enough. What I meant was spring bind is common in the industry. Ford and GM use spring insolators in a number of products. It is, however, not common in the LX

mike
dms