[Dan]

I have a problem with my Z. There is a knocking sound coming from the right side suspension.Lately the problem has gotten to the point where the tire on the right side is wearing on one side and a wobble has appeared. Many friends have told me that it sounds like a bad ball joint, but when I went to replace it, it was fine. Since then I have found that the sound is coming from the top of the strut. Can you give some insight on my problem.

 

[Unknown User]

Sounds like a bad strut cartridge -- what does it do when you push up and down on it? Struts inserts can either lock up(very stiff)or lose all pressure. The lock up can cause a knocking sound when going over bumps. Good luck.

Ernest
> I have a problem with my Z. There is a
> knocking sound coming from the right side
> suspension.Lately the problem has gotten to
> the point where the tire on the right side
> is wearing on one side and a wobble has
> appeared. Many friends have told me that it
> sounds like a bad ball joint, but when I
> went to replace it, it was fine. Since then
> I have found that the sound is coming from
> the top of the strut. Can you give some
> insight on my problem.

 

[Unknown User]

> Sounds like a bad strut cartridge -- what
> does it do when you push up and down on it?
> Struts inserts can either lock up(very
> stiff)or lose all pressure. The lock up can
> cause a knocking sound when going over
> bumps. Good luck.

> Ernest
you also might see if the gland nut that holds the strut in the housing is loose as this would allow the strut to move up and down in the housing. did you check the bolts on top of the strut tower to see if they are loose?

ps. the gland nut is the big nut inside the spring at the top of the housing.

karl

 

[Ron]

Check the strut mount insulator. The strut attaches to the insulator which is
a hard rubber material and does wear over time. Open the hood and look
inside the strut tower; press on the fender and bounce while looking inside tower.
If its messed you'll see where the rubber is seperated from the metal cone .
Check out the other side for comparison if needed.

 

[Unknown User]

> Check the strut mount insulator. The strut
> attaches to the insulator which is
> a hard rubber material and does wear over
> time. Open the hood and look
> inside the strut tower; press on the fender
> and bounce while looking inside tower.
> If its messed you'll see where the rubber is
> seperated from the metal cone .
> Check out the other side for comparison if
> needed.
If I look inside of the strut towwer while pushing up and down on the car the bolt inside moves a tiny amount. It moves so little that you can only tell it's moving when you have a finger on it. There are some fragments of rubber sticking out from around that bolt too. Is that the strut mount isolator? Also when you jack up the car you can feel play and hear the knocking from the top of the strut if you wiggle the wheel. If it is the strut mount isolator, do I need spring compressors to get at it? Another person told me that it was the strut bearing. What is the likelyhood of it being the strut mount isolator and the strut bearing? Should I replace both?

 

[Unknown User]

Sounds like it could be a number of things. Is the wheel bearing ok. What about the ball joint. If you think it is in the strut then the strut must be removed to fix the bearing bushing or insert. Plan on replacing most or all. May want to do the ball joints and tie rods while you are in there. And consider any brake work to --- What the **** redo the whole front end. Its fun. Keep telling yourself that. I never go in and find only one thing broken. Yes you do need spring compressor to get to the bearing. Do it right the first time. To me the labor is the hard part -- a wife and two small kids -- so my time is valuable. When in doubt I take it out. Get a manual they will walk you through it its not hard -- just time consuming. A vise is to hold the strut steady while compressing or trying to remove the strut insert nut.

Ernest
> If I look inside of the strut towwer while
> pushing up and down on the car the bolt
> inside moves a tiny amount. It moves so
> little that you can only tell it's moving
> when you have a finger on it. There are some
> fragments of rubber sticking out from around
> that bolt too. Is that the strut mount
> isolator? Also when you jack up the car you
> can feel play and hear the knocking from the
> top of the strut if you wiggle the wheel. If
> it is the strut mount isolator, do I need
> spring compressors to get at it? Another
> person told me that it was the strut
> bearing. What is the likelyhood of it being
> the strut mount isolator and the strut
> bearing? Should I replace both?