I replaced both front control arms and the stabilizer bars besides the struts. I definitely feel an improvement in ride steering and braking quality.
But there's a new sound coming from the front end. It's just a single "noise/clunk" if that makes any sense.
Because I was working by myself on the ground, I tighten all nuts before letting new parts carry the weight of the vehicle.
Is letting the control arms carry the weight first before torqueing, is that something that should be done (keeping the nuts loose until tires are on the ground)?
If so, is this practice limited to control arms or does it also include the vertical stabilizers? (and for that matter, does it also include all other end links and suspension parts that include bushings or ball joints)?
I replaced control arms and stabilizer bar but I still hear a sound.
Re: I replaced control arms and stabilizer bar but I still hear a sound.
I learned what I was asking about is called "preload". I just finished work on the car. I car preloaded both sides with a jack from under the ball joint. With one side I already loosened the bushings bolt before I raised it with the jack, with other side I forgot to do that but I loosened the bolts after it was raised, and then raised it a little bit more.
I pumped the jack 25 times until it was very hard to continue. Then I tightened the bolts again and lowered the car.
Anyway, the clunk sound is still present, I only drove the car a few meters to park it properly.
Does this eliminate the control arms?
The stabilizer bars are new, should they be clunking? What else should I look it?
I pumped the jack 25 times until it was very hard to continue. Then I tightened the bolts again and lowered the car.
Anyway, the clunk sound is still present, I only drove the car a few meters to park it properly.
Does this eliminate the control arms?
The stabilizer bars are new, should they be clunking? What else should I look it?
Re: I replaced control arms and stabilizer bar but I still hear a sound.
Hi MalcomY, my Altima had a clunky noise in the front suspension, and also sound with every little movement.
So I remove one tire and then put the jack below the control arm and start to lift all the assembly (with a piece of wood to prevent damage), like the car was in the ground with the tire, and then I checked all the bolts/nuts.
I discovered that the "connection rod" the piece that connect the strut with the stabilizer bar, was very loose and worn, so I changed it from both sides and problem solved.
It could be that, or just need to be greased
So I remove one tire and then put the jack below the control arm and start to lift all the assembly (with a piece of wood to prevent damage), like the car was in the ground with the tire, and then I checked all the bolts/nuts.
I discovered that the "connection rod" the piece that connect the strut with the stabilizer bar, was very loose and worn, so I changed it from both sides and problem solved.
It could be that, or just need to be greased