Well anytime I hit an abrupt bump I hear a metallic rattle sound. It is kind of hard to explain but I almost want to say it is something like the control arm bushings but I have no clue. It has done it for a good while and I just can't find it. I have since replaced the broken sway-bar endlinks, replaced the inner tie rods, re-tightened the wheel bearings, done an alignment, and added bilstein shocks at all four corners. The sound is still there and when it happens it sounds like it is comeing from both sides of the car which really throws me off because I can't narrow it all like to at least one side or the other - but I can for sure say it is on the front-end at least as the rear makes no sound at all after going over the same bump the front just did. Any ideas?
Rattling from front end?
- Thread starter 87'GTstang
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pisgahhiker
New Member
my moneys on control arm bushings although theres a good chance it might also be the sway bar.
Seems like the fox bodys have issues with control arm bushings.
every fox i've had needed them replaced
Seems like the fox bodys have issues with control arm bushings.
every fox i've had needed them replaced
I am currently in the stage of suspension everything so they will probably get replaced sooner or later anyway. How Can I tell if they are bad or not and how hard is it to replace them?
Sway bar bushings are a snap to replace. Control arm bushings are a pain. They usually have to be burn out. Messy and time consuming, but not impossible. I'd stick with replacement rubber everywhere in the front end, but the sway bar and end links unless you like rattling your teeth loose. Polyurethane and solid bushings suck on a street car!
Out back go with combination Polyurethane and rubber bushings in your rear control arms, otherwise suspension bind could be an issue. Not really worth while unless you plan on boxing your rear control arms as well though.
Out back go with combination Polyurethane and rubber bushings in your rear control arms, otherwise suspension bind could be an issue. Not really worth while unless you plan on boxing your rear control arms as well though.
personally, i like poly up front. ive got a car with delrin and that is harsher. 
dont forget about the spring isolators. if they are worn through, you can get some metallic noise when the suspension unloads. ditto for checking balljoints.
were your endlinks tightened down with the suspension loaded up (on the ground)? if not, the links unload when the weight of the car is on them (or when it compresses). dont ask how i know.
good luck.
dont forget about the spring isolators. if they are worn through, you can get some metallic noise when the suspension unloads. ditto for checking balljoints.
were your endlinks tightened down with the suspension loaded up (on the ground)? if not, the links unload when the weight of the car is on them (or when it compresses). dont ask how i know.
good luck.
BlackGT89
Member
If it's not your suspension, check the hood strut and see if it's been bouncing around. I can see where mine's been vibrating and hitting the hood at times. Tape it down with some duct tape as a test and see if that stops the noise.
NKau
Founding Member
In addition to everything else, check to see that your brake calipers aren't wiggling/rattling around. I've seen this happen to a car after brake work where the calipers weren't tightened down properly.
BlackGT89
Member
Yes, hood prop rod.
HISSIN50 said:to clarify - i think you mean the 'prop rod'. most of us do not have hood struts.
Papageof
Founding Member
Mine does the same thing, I figured it was ball joints. That is bout the only thing i havn't replaced. I've got them, just can't find my lug nut key. 
I also have a rattle comming from the front end.. but mine is definelty the brake.
The calipper keep hitting the rotor .. I went to the Dealer .. they really **** me good.. they charge me 430$ to change de caliper and pad... I was pissed but .. at least the sound went away ,for 4 days SOB'S ..
I went back to the dealer .. they keep it a day .. just to grease it .. those mofo's .
I'm going back there tomorow .. I'm really pissed at them ..
The calipper keep hitting the rotor .. I went to the Dealer .. they really **** me good.. they charge me 430$ to change de caliper and pad... I was pissed but .. at least the sound went away ,for 4 days SOB'S ..
I went back to the dealer .. they keep it a day .. just to grease it .. those mofo's .
I'm going back there tomorow .. I'm really pissed at them ..
Uhhh, god dude. Why are you still taking your 15-year-old car to the dealer. That crap ends for me when the warranty runs out. For something like that, take it someplace they're not going to charge you $50.00/hour labour.MavericK5L said:
Well, I was just taking a guess. I used to work for one about 3 1/2 years ago and they were charging around $75.00CAN/hour then. Point being they're too friggin expensive to bring an old car for regular maintenance.
I went to other place before. .but nobody was able to fix it .. the dealer was my only hope .. but still . .they cant fix it !
I just drop it this morning . .should have some news by the end of the afternoon .. I hope they fix it . .. for free .. stupid dealer .. for waht it cost in the first place I should have go with a 5 lug conversion instead !
I just drop it this morning . .should have some news by the end of the afternoon .. I hope they fix it . .. for free .. stupid dealer .. for waht it cost in the first place I should have go with a 5 lug conversion instead !
