A whine and a clunk

[MrAndersonGCC]

Calling all Sherlocks.

2002 SL2, manual.

The Clunk

Occurs under 10 mph when turning, but only occasionally. Cannot replicate on demand. Control arms, tie rods ends, struts, and cv axles have all been recently replaced. I can’t recall if I replaced the strut mounts or not, but I must emphasize that the clunking does not occur when normal driving over bumps. Only thing I can think of is perhaps the sway bar itself. I replaced the bushings not long ago. But my understanding is our sway bars contain a “mirror” bar inside the sway bar that can come loose and clunk against the inner wall of the “big” bar, if that makes sense.

The Whine

Not a squeal, not super high pitched. Replaced the ps pump, water pump, belt tensioner, and belt itself all in the last week.

It gets slightly better as the car gets warmer, which made me sure it was the belt, but it obviously wasn’t. I tried listening using the old hose trick but that really didn’t narrow it down. There’s only the alternator and idler pulley left (I have an ac compressor but it makes the noise while it’s off). Before I go changing those, is there anything not belt-driven around the passenger side of the engine that could make such a noise? It does increase with rpm‘s, and in neutral sitting still.

Thanks

- Anderson

[billr]

Can you make the whine go away by removing the serp belt?

I don't think the sway-bar has an "inner" bar; it is tubular except at very ends where the threaded studs are pressed/welded in.

PS: The A/C pulley is still turning, even if compressor is not. Could still be a bearing in there squealing.

[MrAndersonGCC]

Originally Posted by billr

Can you make the whine go away by removing the serp belt?

I don't think the sway-bar has an "inner" bar; it is tubular except at very ends where the threaded studs are pressed/welded in.

PS: The A/C pulley is still turning, even if compressor is not. Could still be a bearing in there squealing.

Ah, kicking myself for not running it without the belt when I changed it earlier. I’ll try that next, thanks.

[93twincam]

When you replaced the PS pump, did you ensure you bled all the air out of the system? PS pumps will whine at various pitches/volume depending on how much air is in the system.

[MrAndersonGCC]

Originally Posted by 93twincam

When you replaced the PS pump, did you ensure you bled all the air out of the system? PS pumps will whine at various pitches/volume depending on how much air is in the system.

I did the typical lock-to-lock method and added fluid as the level dropped. I’ve leaned my head towards the ps pump and the noise actually decreases back there.

[MrAndersonGCC]

Well I ran the car with the belt off and it was quiet. Almost 100% certain it’s the idler pulley.

The clunk is driving me nuts though. Usually happens when going in reverse, turning sharply, and going over a bump. Is there anything I’m missing that could cause this?

[MrAndersonGCC]

I’ll add that if I lock the wheel either left or right and continuously move forwards or backwards, there isn’t a clunk. It’s pretty much when there is a combination of turning AND a bump, and at low speed. I can confirm when I did the struts I didn’t do the strut mounts. Could those be the cause of this? I would think bad mounts would make noise all the time when going over bumps, but my this noise is so specific.

[billr]

What ever the strut spring(s) "swivel" on, lube it. The end of the spring coil may be hopping in/out of its seat in the swivel if the swivel is binding.

[TomM96]

Maybe a worn powertrain mount has some play.
* *

The ABS makes an odd dragging sound followed by a small clunk, only
when first moving off at speed less than 10 mph.... sounds like a ghost in a horror film sliding along a wooden sound board before engaging a huge 'skeleton' key.

[MrAndersonGCC]

Originally Posted by TomM96

Maybe a worn powertrain mount has some play.
* *

The ABS makes an odd dragging sound followed by a small clunk, only
when first moving off at speed less than 10 mph.... sounds like a ghost in a horror film sliding along a wooden sound board before engaging a huge 'skeleton' key.

I like your description but it doesn’t sound like ABS. I replaced all engine mounts in the last few months. Didn’t do the transmission mount but this would be a very bizarre symptom of it was the transmission mount.

[MrAndersonGCC]

Originally Posted by billr

What ever the strut spring(s) "swivel" on, lube it. The end of the spring coil may be hopping in/out of its seat in the swivel if the swivel is binding.

That’s a good idea. I may replace the strut mounts while I’m at it - can you suggest any good brands? I was going to get kyb but I’ve read a lot of bad things.

[billr]

Sorry, no suggestion on brand. My "94/95s only have 250+K miles on them; never had to fuss with struts.

[93twincam]

Originally Posted by billr

Sorry, no suggestion on brand. My "94/95s only have 250+K miles on them; never had to fuss with struts.

250k and never has struts???? Maybe you know something I don't know, but I've never heard of a strut lasting that long...

[MrAndersonGCC]

Recorded a short video of the clunk: https://youtube.com/shorts/DCotbPqjUfk?feature=share

[trottida]

Originally Posted by MrAndersonGCC

Recorded a short video of the clunk: https://youtube.com/shorts/DCotbPqjUfk?feature=share

That sounds like your strut mount is binding. There is a bearing in the strut mount and when if fails the spring resists until there is enough force and creates a pop noise like you're hearing. Replace the strut mounts or if the strut has some age just go ahead and replace the strut assembly. It'll save you some time and effort.

[MrAndersonGCC]

Originally Posted by trottida

That sounds like your strut mount is binding. There is a bearing in the strut mount and when if fails the spring resists until there is enough force and creates a pop noise like you're hearing. Replace the strut mounts or if the strut has some age just go ahead and replace the strut assembly. It'll save you some time and effort.

Ok thanks. Are you able to suggest decent strut mount brands? There’s not a lot of options and kyb mounts have a bad reputation despite making great struts.

[trottida]

Originally Posted by MrAndersonGCC

Ok thanks. Are you able to suggest decent strut mount brands? There’s not a lot of options and kyb mounts have a bad reputation despite making great struts.

I've always replaced the entire assembly rather than doing piecework. Last time I bought them I went with Monroe QuickStruts and I have no complaints. I couldn't speak to just replacing the strut mounts. Someone else should chime in.

[MrAndersonGCC]

I recently replaced my struts with kyb but left the mounts alone.

After doing some research I opted to order two new acdelco mounts.

[MrAndersonGCC]

Ok the whine has been taken care of, was the idler pulley. Interesting thread on that one, billr was a great help.

Just replaced both strut mounts and I believe I heard a clunk on the first drive, though it was a short one.

What in the world could I be missing? The only suspension part that hasn’t been changed in the last couple thousand miles is the sway bar itself. This is nuts. And it is 100% coming from the front.

[billr]

I finally listened to the video in reply #14. Is that whine from the idler, and gone now? A new video may help. I would do it with the engine off, even though whine is gone. Also, try it with one wheel, and then the other, and then both off the ground. See if there are any changes.

Do you have a helper to turn the steering wheel, so you can watch/video everywhere under there while the is happening? Let me rephrase that... you must have a helper to do so, or this may never be solved without a whole lot of parts-swapping!

We may even have to go to the "grease sandwich" to track this down.