PeP Boys Suspension Estimate

[yomama604]

Originally Posted by yomama604

I tried to record the clunking with the help of my son. What do you think?

http://youtu.be/SyeS9wvy3hE

I jacked up the car to take a look at the passenger side bushing. I didn't see or feel the 2nd bolt that holds the bushing bracket on the passenger side. Is there only 1 screw?

Front side of the bracket.




Best picture I could get of the backside.

[ssicarman]

If I remeber correctly there is only one bolt per bushing bracket. The end with no bolt has a tab that goes in a slot.

[yomama604]

Originally Posted by ssicarman

If I remeber correctly there is only one bolt per bushing bracket. The end with no bolt has a tab that goes in a slot.

I checked out the driver side. You were right, easy to get to with the wheel off. Here is a picture, again, only see 1 screw. I hit it with some Liquid Wrench while I wait for the Moog bushings to arrive.

I'm not a bushing expert...but that bushing does not look too bad.

[yomama604]

I took a crack at replacing the sway bar bushings. I had both the driver and passenger side on stands. I tackled the driver side first. Easier if you take the wheel off. Getting the bolt off was not an issue (15MM socket), the bracket also came right off (only 1 screw). Getting the bushing itself off isn't bad but you have to get the weight off the bushing by jacking up the suspension. I put a piece of wood on the jack and lifted the rotor.

I put some lube on the sway bar and after a bit of maneuvering with the jack I was able to slide the new bushing in place. The really time consuming part was getting the bracket back on. It took me forever to slide the back end of the bracket into the slot. You are kind of working by feel since you can't really see the slot. Took so long that I ran out of time and didn't get a chance to do the passenger side.

[yomama604]

VICTORY! I installed the 2nd sway bar bushing, short test drive and the car is clunk free. The passenger side was actually easier than the driver side (more room to maneuver).

Car drives beautifully now. It might be in my head but the steering seems tigther. Would the sway bar bushings effect the steering?

I still hear what I would call ratcheting noise when turning the wheel but I noticed when I had it on blocks that noise is coming from the strut mounts. Someone else mentioned they had the same issue when they replaced the struts and mounts.

Thanks to all of you for your great advice.

[yomama604]

Here are the culprits. They didn't look too bad but they definitely seemed marginally smaller than the new 20MM new ones from Moog. I suspect they got compressed over the years.

[black04ion91]

I know it has been a while since this thread has been active but would you possibly have the part number for the Moog bushings? I'm going to be purchasing them as soon as this semester gets out, I can't go another winter with this noise.

[Way2QWK]

Glad you got it fixed. The sway bar bushings is the first thing to check with front end clunks on Ions. You may get some noise returning from the bushing brackets once the new bushings wear a bit. The 2003 and some 2004 Ions need the brackets replaced along with the bushings to prevent future noise. The brackets were redesigned to avoid possible contact with sway bar

Bulletin No.: 04-03-08-006F

On vehicles built up to and including VIN 4Z125195, replace the front stabilizer shaft insulators (bushings) and clamps.

[yomama604]

Sorry dude, didn't see your post. here is the link to the amazon product.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...ls_o04_s00_i00

Originally Posted by black04ion91

I know it has been a while since this thread has been active but would you possibly have the part number for the Moog bushings? I'm going to be purchasing them as soon as this semester gets out, I can't go another winter with this noise.

[snakes]

Cool! Thanks for sharing the pics and now I know how check mine out . I'm going to go with the moogs or the poly's

[GreetingsfromTX]

Oh my goodness I am so happy to read this. Your car sounds exactly like mine and I have spent the same amount on the same things as you and still have the clunking. I am going to tell my mechanic on Monday about the sway bar bushings. Glad I found this site!