Clicking/Popping front suspension

joego · 11-28-2012, 12:34 PM

First off I want to thank everyone in this forum. I have learned so much and started fixing up my 2003 4X4 EX (126k miles).

With the help of this forum and some gumption, I was able to change all 4 shock absorbers assemblies, stabilizer links and the outer tie rod ends in the front. I did an alignment (trusted shop stated all newly installed part looked tight) and there is a night and day difference in handling. After changing out all the parts, I am still getting an intermittent popping/clicking noise when driving over bumps and a popping noise when making medium force turns (mostly left) or S turns. I have checked the CV axles and the boots are intact. I do not see anything out of the ordinary in the rack and pinion. I will say the ball joint boots look blown and I’m sure they need to be replaced. Would the worn ball joints give these types of symptoms? I also read it could possibly be the lower control arms.

Any advice is most welcome.

jesbecause · 11-28-2012, 01:02 PM

Since you're going to replace the ball joints , might as well change the compliance bushings to , those are probably the source of your noise ....
Lots of reading here:http://www.elementownersclub.com/for...iance+bushings

Good luck

joego · 11-28-2012, 03:57 PM

Thank you for the reply and the link. I am now tumbling down the front suspension rabbit hole :) Tons of great reading

yednor · 11-28-2012, 04:05 PM

I hade the same issues, turning left and eventually upon take off even. It was compliance bushings for me. Did both front and rear lower control arm bushings and both ball joints. Problem solved!

MotownSballa · 11-29-2012, 06:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by yednor

I hade the same issues, turning left and eventually upon take off even. It was compliance bushings for me. Did both front and rear lower control arm bushings and both ball joints. Problem solved!

so your suspension was pretty noisy also? i have noise everytime i hit a bump, sounds like its coming from all 4 sides not sure if its the same problem.

yednor · 12-03-2012, 09:33 PM

I also had a knocking noise at all four corners, I did sway bar bushings and end links to clear that up

MotownSballa · 12-04-2012, 04:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by yednor

I also had a knocking noise at all four corners, I did sway bar bushings and end links to clear that up

i called the dealer this morning, guy in parts claimed there wasn't bushing for the end links.

ramblerdan · 12-05-2012, 08:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MotownSballa

guy in parts claimed there wasn't bushing for the end links.

That is correct.

MotownSballa · 12-06-2012, 12:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ramblerdan

That is correct.

thanks. Purchased the front ones today. going to put them in on saturday. Hopefully it takes care of the problems. I couldn't believe the oem ones are cheaper then what autozone/kragen sell.

joego · 12-06-2012, 12:49 PM

I’m still gathering information on the ball joint and LCA compliance/rear bushings replacement. I will eventually be replacing them, but since I will have everything disassembled, should I also replace the CV Axles. From what I have read, taking everything off to get to the CV axles is the hard part.

Any advice is most welcome

11-28-2012, 12:34 PM	#1
joego EOC Rank: Hydrogen 2003 4WD EX AT Galapagos Green Metallic (GGM) Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Houston TX Posts: 3	Clicking/Popping front suspension First off I want to thank everyone in this forum. I have learned so much and started fixing up my 2003 4X4 EX (126k miles). With the help of this forum and some gumption, I was able to change all 4 shock absorbers assemblies, stabilizer links and the outer tie rod ends in the front. I did an alignment (trusted shop stated all newly installed part looked tight) and there is a night and day difference in handling. After changing out all the parts, I am still getting an intermittent popping/clicking noise when driving over bumps and a popping noise when making medium force turns (mostly left) or S turns. I have checked the CV axles and the boots are intact. I do not see anything out of the ordinary in the rack and pinion. I will say the ball joint boots look blown and I’m sure they need to be replaced. Would the worn ball joints give these types of symptoms? I also read it could possibly be the lower control arms. Any advice is most welcome.

11-28-2012, 01:02 PM	#2
jesbecause EOC Rank: Carbon 2008 4WD LX MT Nighthawk Black Pearl (NBP) Join Date: May 2006 Location: long island n.y Posts: 1,079	Since you're going to replace the ball joints , might as well change the compliance bushings to , those are probably the source of your noise .... Lots of reading here:http://www.elementownersclub.com/for...iance+bushings Good luck Last edited by jesbecause; 11-28-2012 at 02:11 PM.

11-28-2012, 04:05 PM	#4
yednor EOC Rank: Helium 2007 SC 2WD 5AT Root Beer Metallic (RBM) Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Northwest Ar Posts: 104	I hade the same issues, turning left and eventually upon take off even. It was compliance bushings for me. Did both front and rear lower control arm bushings and both ball joints. Problem solved! __________________ Mods: 18 inch wheels, smoked headlights, fog lights, tail lights and emblems, Yakima roof rack, eclipse DVD player, smoked side markers, interior LEDs, black side steps, HD grill mod, led 3rd brake light

12-03-2012, 09:33 PM	#6
yednor EOC Rank: Helium 2007 SC 2WD 5AT Root Beer Metallic (RBM) Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Northwest Ar Posts: 104	I also had a knocking noise at all four corners, I did sway bar bushings and end links to clear that up __________________ Mods: 18 inch wheels, smoked headlights, fog lights, tail lights and emblems, Yakima roof rack, eclipse DVD player, smoked side markers, interior LEDs, black side steps, HD grill mod, led 3rd brake light

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11-28-2012, 03:57 PM	#3
joego EOC Rank: Hydrogen 2003 4WD EX AT Galapagos Green Metallic (GGM) Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Houston TX Posts: 3	Thank you for the reply and the link. I am now tumbling down the front suspension rabbit hole :) Tons of great reading

12-06-2012, 12:49 PM	#10
joego EOC Rank: Hydrogen 2003 4WD EX AT Galapagos Green Metallic (GGM) Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Houston TX Posts: 3	I’m still gathering information on the ball joint and LCA compliance/rear bushings replacement. I will eventually be replacing them, but since I will have everything disassembled, should I also replace the CV Axles. From what I have read, taking everything off to get to the CV axles is the hard part. Any advice is most welcome

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