RXGS

iTrader: (2)

I have been experiencing a strange noise coming from the front left of my car. Here is when i hear the noise:
-When it is raining out or the road is wet
-When i back out of the driveway in the morning
-When i accelerate from a stop or
accelerating to make a left turn from a light
-When i push down on the front end


The sound is much like a rubbing noise. The strange thing is when im just driving along, there isn't a noise and if there is, it isn't consistent, it will pop up for a little then go away. Somedays it will go away completely and others it will show up more frequently anyone know what this could be. They are new struts so i don't think it has anything to do with that

01LEXPL

iTrader: (10)

bushings, end-links

RXGS

iTrader: (2)

Coming from the front left only?

01LEXPL

iTrader: (10)

^could very well be the case...

Sometimes you will hear it form one side as one will be more worn than the other.

Regardless bushings - cheap fix

JTS06Z06

I dont want to steer you in the wrong direction but I actually just got done replacing both of my front upper strunt mounts for clunking noise while going over bumps. I also noticed it would make creeking sounds sometimes if im in reverse and hit the breaks. It also made the loudest noise when its cold out. I just took it for a test drive and so far so good it feels a little better over bumps but the real test will be when the temps drop into the 50's again at night. Overall the job was easy but those stupid spring compressors were a PITA!!
I used OEM upper strut mounts as well as OEM bearings. From the looks of it the original bearings probably could have been re-used as they popped right out and seemed perfectly fine. Oh well guess it doesnt hurt to have new ones in there.

My car is a 00 ES Platinum 107,600 miles.

Oh and P.S. my noise was mainly only the right front but I replaced both since thats the right way to do it.

RXGS

iTrader: (2)

Ok ill look into it, im just surprised its a very inconsistent thing ya know? I'd rather have the noise be constant then on and off

MikeLex

Did your replace the strut mounts when you did the struts?

RXGS

iTrader: (2)

^No i did not, the person who replaced them said they were still good, so did two other mechanics i went to originally. I dont think all three would steer me in the right direction

JTS06Z06

Yea but there is really no way to tell if they are good or bad just by looking at them. Its the rubber inside the mount thats bad. When I pulled mine out they looked fine except for some rubber shavings all inside it. This is sounding more and more like front upper strut mounts.
Mine was also inconsistent as well. On warm days the car felt and sounded relatively ok (a little loose on bumps but not bad), however on chilly nights the front right clunked like crazy.

James

01LEXPL

iTrader: (10)

Yeah, its the mounts. I re-read the post, and i was thinking 'rear'. But yeah, strut mounts for sure bud.

RXGS

iTrader: (2)

I think it is the strut itself. Underneath the rubber accordain looking boot is the metal part, the part thats shinny and i sprayed that with WD-40 and the noise went away. Do you think it is a faulty strut itself?

RXGS

iTrader: (2)

From what ive read on other forums, this sounds like a strut clunk. It isn't constant and if lubricated it goes away, does this sound right?

kaldES98

Have you tried talking to the installer of the struts about what it could be?

RXGS

iTrader: (2)

^ I brought it to them twice, and both times, the noise failed to replicate themselves. From what i heard from my friend, it is the strut itself, so since there wasa warrantee we will be replacing it with a new strut hopefully

JTS06Z06

Well all we are saying is that bad upper strut mounts are a KNOWN problem and are the cause of 80% of suspension noises on this car. Its intermittent, causes clunking, loose suspension noises and other random noises that change with outside temperature and the type of bumps and time of day lol. I just replaced mine the other day and it 100% fixed my suspension problems. Chances are that a brand new strut will not fix the problem, and when you think about it if you are taking the strut assembly back out why wouldnt you replace the strut mount? That part has to come out anyway to replace the strut. Its a no brainer just buy the two strut mounts and call it a day. The strut mounts should have been replaced when it was done the first time.

James