97 Q45 Suspension rattle

[Fairoaks]

I just purchased my Q a few months ago. After purchasing, it developed a rattle coming from the passenger side front wheel. You hear the loosness when you go over bumps on the rode. The rattle has grown worse over time. I am going to try to diagnose the problem myself. Is there anything specific I should look for.

Pete

PS The advice I found on this website has already saved me $400 on my MAF.

THanks again

[paranoidjack]

I just purchased my Q a few months ago. After purchasing, it developed a rattle coming from the passenger side front wheel. You hear the loosness when you go over bumps on the rode. The rattle has grown worse over time. I am going to try to diagnose the problem myself. Is there anything specific I should look for.

Pete

PS The advice I found on this website has already saved me $400 on my MAF.

THanks again

What do you mean regarding your MAF? I'm wondering if perhaps you had the typical idle stumble that many of us suffer from on our y33's...was this the issue?

[Fairoaks]

What do you mean regarding your MAF? I'm wondering if perhaps you had the typical idle stumble that many of us suffer from on our y33's...was this the issue?

That was the issue. I took it to the local dealer and they wanted $700 fo replace the part. I took the car home and tried cleaning it myself, and that didn't work, so I found a re-manufactured MAF for $250. It took 15 minutes to install it and take it for a test drive. The car runs extremely smooth now.

I think I have resolved all of the previous owners neglect problems, other than the suspension issue I'm having. I'm going to remove the wheel tonight and see I can isolate the problem. I'm just not sure where to start looking. Also not sure if I can fix whatever I find myself.

Pete

[Falkdesigns]

I would guess it's either ball joint or tension rod bushings. Not much else under there that could rattle really unless something's just loose.

[Fairoaks]

Can you replace just the ball joint, or do you need to replace the entire lower Arm? And, is it very difficult for the weekend warrior?

I have replaced the entire suspension on a 66 Mustang. So, I do have some limited abilities.

Thanks,Pete

[Falkdesigns]

Most unfortunately, you have to replace the entire control arm. Which sucks 'cause the ball joint is just held in with a C clip like any other ball joint. So instead of a $50 part, you need a $180 part. Not hard to do though.

[Fairoaks]

Most unfortunately, you have to replace the entire control arm. Which sucks 'cause the ball joint is just held in with a C clip like any other ball joint. So instead of a $50 part, you need a $180 part. Not hard to do though.

Thanks for the info. I'm going to take the wheel off and try to confirm what is loose tonight. I'll report back tomorrow.

Pete

[Fairoaks]

Well...I got home, jacked the car up, took the wheel off, and can't find anything loose or broken.

I suspect the ball joint is the problem, but how can I confirm it?

[bullittandy]

You have to take a large screwdriver and pry against it-it shouldn't move at all. The rattle may also be your sturt mount or sway bar end links.

[Fairoaks]

You have to take a large screwdriver and pry against it-it shouldn't move at all. The rattle may also be your sturt mount or sway bar end links.

I jacked it back up with screwdriver in hand...here comes the stupid question...pry against it how???

[3Q Jay]

You have to take a large screwdriver and pry against it-it shouldn't move at all. The rattle may also be your sturt mount or sway bar end links.

don't overlook these.i had a broken mount on the LF. you can tell by pulling the small rubber plug at the top of the strut tower, and putting your finger in. loose rubber chunks=bad. even no chunks (clean break), check by bouncing the corner. if the shaft/strut nut move separate from the black metal housing--you have found it.

zerothread?id=107345

good luck

[Fairoaks]

don't overlook these.i had a broken mount on the LF. you can tell by pulling the small rubber plug at the top of the strut tower, and putting your finger in. loose rubber chunks=bad. even no chunks (clean break), check by bouncing the corner. if the shaft/strut nut move separate from the black metal housing--you have found it.

zerothread?id=107345

good luck

Thanks for the tip...I'll check it out this evening.

Pete

[Fairoaks]

I think I found the problem...it does seem to be a broken mount. I didn't find any small rubber pieces, but the nut is not fixed when I bounce the car. If I understand you correctly, the nut should be fixed in the opening and I shouldn't see any movement at all, correct???

[3Q Jay]

nut should move up and down with car. there should be NO relative movement between nut and the black part of the mount.

[bullittandy]

The entire strut mount should be solidly mounted inside the engine bay, nothing loose, rattlely etc.