SKarpenz

When I drive my car through my yard, over bumps and whatnot I can hear and feel a knocking coming from the front. Sounds like the shock mounts or something, but today I had the driver side apart and replaced the strut, put it all back together and could see nothing really wrong with it. Aside from the strut bearing probably being bad nothing is going on with it. Its quite an audible knock/clack though and I feel it in my left foot quite well. The kicker is, when I put the new shock back on it seems worse. Hopefully its just me, but I don't wanna F with the other side until I figure out wtf is going on.

On a side note, if its not one thing, its another, I swear.


EDIT

Forgot to mention, I have all new chassis and steering parts, so it isn't tie rods or anything. I also have a big *** sway bar up front FWIW.

Kentetsu

Ball joints? Is the nut at the top of the strut tight? Or does it have any play in it? That one can be a pain to get tight, because the strut rod will try to turn while cranking down on it. Usually have to use an impact wrench to get it snug.


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SKarpenz

The top nut is definitely not super tight. I can't keep the strut from turning. Its snugged, just not tight. Poop.

mazdaverx713b

iTrader: (91)

also may want to inspect the idler arm for worn bushings

thunkrd

iTrader: (1)

kentetsu do you mean an impact gun or a torque wrench?
I work at a school's toolroom where people always ask for an impact wrench, or some other tool. my boss tells me to not give them any tools unless they get the names right. I usually just ask them that question.
I guess people use different names for tools, but I'd like to see standardized names. if possible.
Alex

Rotor_king

iTrader: (2)

I had this exact same problem a while ago. Check the locking nut thing (sorry cant fathom a name) that holds the strut insert down in the tube. Mine was loose and i got a loud knock like your describing. Tightened it down and everything went away. If you need a pic pm me, but seeing as how you just took it apart you probably know what im talking about

SKarpenz

Well I did the other side, tightened everything down super tight and then went back to the driver side and did the same thing. The cartridge bolt was loose, not LOOSE, but not near tight enough. Got it tight with my robogrips and then made sure the top nut for the strut rod was tight. Remedied the whole thing. No sounds coming from the struts like before.

Now I am hearing a faint tapping/knocking from somewhere else under the hood. Definitely not struts/springs, but maybe something else. I also have an aftermarket front sway bar that I unbolted. I unbolted it and don't notice much of a difference in normal driving (lawl) so I may just leave it for now. But I wish I could get the tapping noise to go away.

I just replaced my idler arm with the Moog piece, so thats good for sure. After I figure this tap out, I'm gonna remedy my wondersteer, hooray.

Thanks for the help guys!

trochoid

iTrader: (6)

I makes a big difference, bolt it back up with a fresh pair of links.

Kentetsu

DO NOT DRIVE WITHOUT THE FRONT SWAYBAR CONNECTED!!!! You're looking for a spin for sure otherwise...

SKarpenz

Oh boo, come on guys it can't be that bad.

I took it up the road and back once, I'll bolt it back up tomorrow. It has poly bushings and endlinks, so its fine. Thanks for concern though.

evil_motors

iTrader: (3)

i thought rexs were supposed to spin.. oh you mean uncontrollably?

thunkrd

iTrader: (1)

it'd be even worse if you had the rear sway bar in and no front... did you? perhaps you were only going straight?

Kentetsu

No, just putzing around won't be a problem. Just don't try to push any limits without a front bar. I wasn't really trying to call doom and gloom....

Jeezus

iTrader: (4)

Don't drive through the yard?

Kentetsu

At least around here, we call them impact wrenches. They hook up to an air line, make loud noises, and parts start falling off. Pull in to any tire shop, and it's the tool they will use to pull your wheels off.

thunkrd

iTrader: (1)

impact wrench is acceptable, i just have an idiot for a boss. He likes to make everything more difficult. And a lot of the students are not that smart either.