Bad strut? *Videos added*

[socalgt909]

so my car started doing a loud thudding/clunk when turning right
I only hear and feel this clunk when i
1) launch i feel a clunk and can feel it in my shifter/car
2) turn to the right when backing out or driving
3) brake to hard/ downshift
It feels like my car is flexing and i had some one watch the wheel while i turned
he said the wheel like flexed in and out quik
This only happens when im moving not when stopped and turning the wheel
also when turning right at higher speeds it makes a like screeching type sound
when going on a rough road im hearing a rattle of metal on metal
All of this is coming from the front passanger side
It has made me believe that my front strut is bad? or anyone have any other diagnostics?
if so im ready to upgrade to aftermarket struts was thinking toxico's this car is a DD and don't wanna do nothing big.
Car's suspension is completely stock atm and its a 98 GT 99k miles 5 speed salvaged

 

[CC'S95GT]

Re: Bad strut?

Sounds like a lower ball joint to me, or even tie rod ends. not struts
jack the tire off the ground, place hands at 3 and 9 and shake vigorously. Do you hear a clunking or have any movement. yes- tie rod ends are bad
Now repeat with hands at 12 and 6. same question. yes= ball joints are shot.

 

[Pale Horse]

Re: Bad strut?

Agreed had the same problem. You want to fix them asap or don't drove until you do. I know someone who let their's go and it went out. They had to have a wrecker with a dolly get them home.

 

[socalgt909]

Re: Bad strut?

so you aggree its a bad strut or a bad ball joint/tie rod?
i don't think a bad ball joint would make it clunk as loud and hard as it is? it would make more of a popping no?
im probly going to end up changing the ball joints if its the strut anyways

 

[socalgt909]

Re: Bad strut?

so i put it on the lift and tried your method of shaking at 6&12 and 3&9 and there was really not much movement nor did it make the clank or thudd?
it only makes it when the car is on the ground and in motion

 

[CC'S95GT]

Re: Bad strut?

I would think there should be some other sign of the metal on metal sound your hearing too.
Have you ck's the nut on the top of the strut?
Did you look at the ball joint and boot while you had it in the air?

 

[red95r]

Re: Bad strut?

See if you can take a video (windows up, no radio) by placing a camera on the right floorboard, or have someone hold it. If its loud enough we'll hear it.

Anyways +1 for thinking ball joints. I had a squeaking sound going over bumps and at high speeds. Both ball joints were bad, boots were almost gone. While you have it torn apart do your tie rods. It'll save you having to tear apart everything again just to get at them.

 

[socalgt909]

Re: Bad strut?

okay well i checked out the boots and the pasanger side boot is infact worn out and has a tear in it where i can see the grease.
other side boot looks meh minimal wear.

here is the videos of the thudding
one from the outside you can hear it at the very beggining at 2 more times throughout.
the similiar noise is me shifting lol
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d15mUd1RH10

heres a second vid from the outside
you can hear the thudding sounds like your sort of flicking a soda can in the vid but its more of a thudd in person
again the similiar noise is me shifting
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bLyRi7-lzg8

 

[socalgt909]

aside from the torn boot on the passanger side i noticed this

This is the drivers side

These two are of the passanger side those two silver pin type screws in like in the driver side snapped off and are no longer on the passanger side

pay close attention to the next picture by the bottom bolt it looks like the plate actually has slid up from its original position?

 

[Pale Horse]

See if you can take a video (windows up, no radio) by placing a camera on the right floorboard, or have someone hold it. If its loud enough we'll hear it.

Anyways +1 for thinking ball joints. I had a squeaking sound going over bumps and at high speeds. Both ball joints were bad, boots were almost gone. While you have it torn apart do your tie rods. It'll save you having to tear apart everything again just to get at them.

Agreed, sorry for the confusion I was talking ball joints.

 

[red95r]

If I were you I'd be scared shittless to drive that car without changing the BJ's. It looks like whomever did the last alignment gave it a hell of an adjustment. It sounds like its popping in and out so when you step on the gas the torque is pulling it out. Same thing with shifting.

Dismantle all of it, replace ball joints and outer tie rods. Follow your chiltons/haynes and you should be fine. Also Give your tranny mount a look see.


When doing ball joints air impact tool is your BFF.

Edit: On second look is your car lowered? This could've aggravated it.

 

[socalgt909]

car is stock hight.
so i need new ball joints, tie rods, and an alignment.
and you don't think this can be a strut problem?
The tie rods seemed fine when i checked em out on a lift
and i also could not get the ball joint to pop when on the lift just noticed the boot was ripped

 

[red95r]

The way it sits now yeah I'd say the shocks are about gone. It takes a great deal of force to get them (bj's) to "pop." The fact your car has gotten that far without falling apart is a wonder. Replace both. The boot has ripped allowing road to grime get in destroying the inside. Like getting sand in a cut and rubbing it around.

If you decide on replacing tie rods then count those rotations the closer you are more than likely you wont need an alignment, but I would just in case.

Next time you put it on the lift take some good pic's if you can.

These are what my old ones looked like. I tried the whole grabbing the wheel and try moving it trick. mine were solid by my joints were bad. I guess it dosent always work.

 

[red95r]

When you had it on the lift did you check and see if you could move the strut left and right at the shock tower?

 

[socalgt909]

ya i grabbed the strut and couldnt move it at all.

at this point i get paid next friday im going to change the ball joints and work from there.......
if ball joints don't fix it ill look into some toxico struts

 

[socalgt909]

bumb