Front End Popping

[cronkm]

Just wanted to see what everyone else thought about some of my front end suspension issues. There is a popping noise coming from the front driver's side when the car first takes off, when it stops, and periodically while driving whenever going over slight bumps or short hills. It occurs whether I'm turning or going straight and is not constant. Noise stops when it is wet outside.

We have replaced the sway bar bushings and the sway bar links with no success. Recently had the strut replaced, but it usually groans if that's the problem. Also seem to have a groaning or rubbing noise sometimes when I hit the brakes (don't know if that is related).

Any ideas?

[kfraney]

I have an '04 and have had everything that you've had replaced with no luck either. After countless trips to the dealer, I've given up and come to terms with the rattles, squeeks, and groans.

[enginebrake]

Did you replace the strut mounts with the strut assemblies as well and are the 3 body mounting bolts tight on each one? They do go bad, groan and pop when the bearings are worn, and you seemed to have covered all the usual sources of noise, unless you have any loose hardware in the vicinity of the ball joints.

[cronkm]

I'll have them check the strut mounts when I take it in tomorrow. Thanks for the idea. I also saw some postings about the tie rods. I'll let everyone know what I find out!

[Ritz]

A lot of my rattling in the front end (sounded like a couple of golf balls rolling around in a tin coffee can) went away when I replaced the rubber bushings on the brake caliper guide pins. You need one bushing for each side. They were clearly allowing the caliper to "flop" which led to some silvering of the guide pin where it was rubbing against the caliper. I did the job myself when I added slotted ATE rotors and Hawk HPS pads after it developed pulsing brakes at 18-19k miles (highly recommended upgrade, BTW). The groaning is still there. I suspect that's the upper strut mounts, but I'm too lazy to take it in and it doesn't really annoy my wife (it's her daily driver). For a number of reasons, this is definitely the last GM/Saturn vehicle I'll buy...and that was my 4th one. There are much better alternatives available these days for about the same money.

Best,