Front Suspension "clunk"/Wobbly Drivers Side front tire feeling

TIMSPEED · 06-27-2002, 07:37 AM

Anyone else have this problem? My car seems to be amazingly.."clunky". When I'm driving over a rough road, it seems like the front end of my saturn makes a weird "clunking" sound. It makes this same sound when the car is off and I rock the steering wheel left to right (Steering wheel must be centered and then rocked a little left and a little right.) My guess is a bad wheel bearing...but when I changed the brake pads a month ago, I didn't really notice it to be shaky. NOW...the previous owner of this Saturn put a towing system on it...which basically looks like another sway bar and has like extensions on the front frame. (Could this be the noise?) The car actually handles perfectly fine, I've out driven a NUMBER of cars with it. (in AutoX events)

Heartbeat - '95 SL2 · 06-29-2002, 02:16 AM

Bad wheel bearings usually make noise regardless of steering input, so my guess is that it's steering linkage, like tie rod ends. Might want to crawl underneath and start grabbing things to see if you notice any play, including to see if there's any side-to-side movement with the wheels, which would indicate a bad bearing. While underneath, take a close look at the towing package to see if everything looks okey-dokey.

ChriSL2 · 06-30-2002, 12:18 AM

Strut Mounts, I had a Very simular prob like yours a 'good' mechanic told me about the strut mount , I thought he was trying to make a few bucks offa me, I was desprate so i tried it and the Klunking was gone.

THE END

SilverPlumGirl · 07-02-2002, 06:57 PM

I have heard a clunking sound after driving over un-even roads...and thought it was just dusty struts...etc...
or something loose/rattling under the car

took her in for the 20,000 change today to find out
the car is totally out of alignment...AND the whole
steering column has to be replaced!! $$$$$$$$
(under warranty!!!) along with a few things "loose" underneath the car.

I would have never noticed all this stuff!!

Who would have thought all that work needed to be
done from just an oil change!....I am glad my Saturn Techs
have good ears!!

jackhammer · 07-03-2002, 05:40 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by ChriSL2
Strut Mounts, I had a Very simular prob like yours a 'good' mechanic told me about the strut mount , I thought he was trying to make a few bucks offa me, I was desprate so i tried it and the Klunking was gone.

THE END

What do you mean by the strut mounts ChriSL2? I believe that could be my problem. I get a clunking noise coming from the left front drivers side of the vehicle. Usally only happens when going over a speed bump uneven or when I first move the car after it has been parked.

TIMSPEED · 07-03-2002, 04:02 PM

That sounds about right. It also does it when I go over a rough road...clunk clunk clunk.

Heartbeat - '95 SL2 · 07-03-2002, 10:03 PM

Strut mounts are round bearing plates which go between the front struts' upper mounting flange and the body's strut tower. The bearings allow for the spring to rotate as the front wheels turn.

jackhammer · 07-04-2002, 03:43 AM

To fix the strut mount if that is what the problem is, how would you go about fixing it? Tightening the bolts on the top of the strut housing?

Heartbeat - '95 SL2 · 07-04-2002, 03:24 PM

Oops, small correction: the strut mount bearing plate and rubber bushing go between the spring and top mounting flange (with the 3 studs which poke through the strut tower). Bearings are integral to the top plate. If the strut mounts or bushings are shot, then they need to be replaced, which entails removing the struts and reinstalling. With all the labor involved, a good time to think about replacing the strut cartridges if necessary. An alignment is also needed after removal of the struts.

R.J.Barnett · 07-05-2002, 01:54 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by jackhammer
To fix the strut mount if that is what the problem is, how would you go about fixing it? Tightening the bolts on the top of the strut housing?

You need to remove the strut(s), use a spring clamp to relieve the spring tension and remove the nut at the top of the strut rod. Not too big a job.

therapist · 07-06-2002, 06:38 AM

for all the trouble and expense you're going to have to do to get rid of the clunk (if indeed it's the strut mount) i'd say live with the clunk until you need to replace the strut or springs. since the whole procedure means you have to remove the strut and spring from the car. then the alignment. as long as your car handles ok just live with it. now if you really want to do so, i suggest you replace the struts at least since that will just add another $100 to your expense and will give you that over rails feeling again. goodluck.

06-27-2002, 07:37 AM	#1
TIMSPEED Advanced Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Modesto, CA Posts: 956 TIMSPEED's Photos 1998 SL2 1998 SW2	Front Suspension "clunk"/Wobbly Drivers Side front tire feeling Anyone else have this problem? My car seems to be amazingly.."clunky". When I'm driving over a rough road, it seems like the front end of my saturn makes a weird "clunking" sound. It makes this same sound when the car is off and I rock the steering wheel left to right (Steering wheel must be centered and then rocked a little left and a little right.) My guess is a bad wheel bearing...but when I changed the brake pads a month ago, I didn't really notice it to be shaky. NOW...the previous owner of this Saturn put a towing system on it...which basically looks like another sway bar and has like extensions on the front frame. (Could this be the noise?) The car actually handles perfectly fine, I've out driven a NUMBER of cars with it. (in AutoX events)

07-02-2002, 06:57 PM	#4
SilverPlumGirl Member Join Date: Dec 2000 Posts: 125 SilverPlumGirl's Photos	Clunking I have heard a clunking sound after driving over un-even roads...and thought it was just dusty struts...etc... or something loose/rattling under the car took her in for the 20,000 change today to find out the car is totally out of alignment...AND the whole steering column has to be replaced!! $$$$$$$$ (under warranty!!!) along with a few things "loose" underneath the car. I would have never noticed all this stuff!! Who would have thought all that work needed to be done from just an oil change!....I am glad my Saturn Techs have good ears!! Last edited by SilverPlumGirl; 07-02-2002 at 07:03 PM.

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06-29-2002, 02:16 AM	#2
Heartbeat - '95 SL2 Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Southern California Posts: 1,324 Heartbeat - '95 SL2's Photos 1995 SL2	Bad wheel bearings usually make noise regardless of steering input, so my guess is that it's steering linkage, like tie rod ends. Might want to crawl underneath and start grabbing things to see if you notice any play, including to see if there's any side-to-side movement with the wheels, which would indicate a bad bearing. While underneath, take a close look at the towing package to see if everything looks okey-dokey.

06-30-2002, 12:18 AM	#3
ChriSL2 New Member Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Bardstown, KY. Posts: 2	Strut Mounts, I had a Very simular prob like yours a 'good' mechanic told me about the strut mount , I thought he was trying to make a few bucks offa me, I was desprate so i tried it and the Klunking was gone. THE END

07-03-2002, 04:02 PM	#6
TIMSPEED Advanced Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Modesto, CA Posts: 956 TIMSPEED's Photos 1998 SL2 1998 SW2	That sounds about right. It also does it when I go over a rough road...clunk clunk clunk.

07-03-2002, 10:03 PM	#7
Heartbeat - '95 SL2 Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Southern California Posts: 1,324 Heartbeat - '95 SL2's Photos 1995 SL2	Strut mounts are round bearing plates which go between the front struts' upper mounting flange and the body's strut tower. The bearings allow for the spring to rotate as the front wheels turn.

07-04-2002, 03:43 AM	#8
jackhammer Member Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Hawaii Posts: 107 jackhammer's Photos	To fix the strut mount if that is what the problem is, how would you go about fixing it? Tightening the bolts on the top of the strut housing?

07-04-2002, 03:24 PM	#9
Heartbeat - '95 SL2 Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Southern California Posts: 1,324 Heartbeat - '95 SL2's Photos 1995 SL2	Oops, small correction: the strut mount bearing plate and rubber bushing go between the spring and top mounting flange (with the 3 studs which poke through the strut tower). Bearings are integral to the top plate. If the strut mounts or bushings are shot, then they need to be replaced, which entails removing the struts and reinstalling. With all the labor involved, a good time to think about replacing the strut cartridges if necessary. An alignment is also needed after removal of the struts.

07-06-2002, 06:38 AM	#11
therapist Member Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: new jersey Posts: 220	for all the trouble and expense you're going to have to do to get rid of the clunk (if indeed it's the strut mount) i'd say live with the clunk until you need to replace the strut or springs. since the whole procedure means you have to remove the strut and spring from the car. then the alignment. as long as your car handles ok just live with it. now if you really want to do so, i suggest you replace the struts at least since that will just add another $100 to your expense and will give you that over rails feeling again. goodluck.

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