Audacity

I've been getting a rattling noise and feeling over bumps and potholes. I know this noise is related to the struts so I bought 4 Monroe Sensitrac struts. Could the rattle be coming from the strut mounts as well? I spent $300 on the struts and it looks like I'd need to spend another $200 if I were to replace the mounts at the same time. My friend (who's replaced lots of different struts over the years) said that it's almost always the worn struts making the rattling noise - not the mounts. he told me to change the struts only. What do you guys think?
Martin

dallison

replace the strut mounts and your problem will go away. the strut mounts are usually the ones that make noise.

llcoolpass

its not always the struts buddy, its often the stabilizer bar bushing[rear more often than front, but can be both]

swifty562

lol... my 2000ES been rattling for quite some time... only the front tho...been meaning to change the mounts =0

htowns

Could be sway bar bushings as well.

llcoolpass

but you actually have to check . what is the deal, why cant u go check out all your suspension parts?

97'ES

yea dude, why can't U go check out all your suspension parts like a professional? Must be something wrong with you. God if we could all only have llcoolpass' ultimate answers and scintillating grammatical accuracy the world would be such a wonderful place wouldn't it?

dviles

im betting on bushings mate, get decent rubbers or nolathane, however my rattle in the rear was strut tops. the front was bushings...go figure...

01LEXPL

iTrader: (10)

Yeah good call on that.

OP, check out all the bushings first!

This way you can isolate the 'noise/problem' one by one. Starting with the cheapest solution, being the bushings.

Although i have noticed that they are two different kinds of noises. The bushings is like a 'creak/rattle' whereas the strut tower mounts are more of a 'grinding' [not exactly, but hard to describe]

As it turns out i had this issue last year, me being the amazing internet mechanic that i am, i was convinced it was strut mounts.

My mechanic then told me about the bushings, he changed those [noise was in the back] and all was well.

It was weird since the bushings were 'loud' when there was nothing in the back, once i load the car up with groceries/people it went away.

Let us know how you decided to proceed and how it turned out!

Lexucan

+1

llcoolpass

well we can't tell him what's wrong with this car when he hears a noise, but if you look, he just wants to replace something no matter if its the proper thing or not. so dont think I wasn't fair in returning with that

mmlex1987

Those are my thoughts exactly! "We all hear what we want to hear"

tmf2004

iTrader: (15)

I think thats the noise I'm hearing to wheni go over bumps.. The fronts have been replaced with KYB's but the mounts are stock. Its almost like a muffled sound when i go over a bump and its real fast..

mrags80

My 2000 ES300 started making a light thud thud knock knock sound. Struts are in perfect condition and car handles and rides like day one since I purchased it. It has 73k for mileage.I would suggest buying the mounts only if the struts don't show signs of leaking and the ride is still good. I changed the mounts last week on my ES and it solved the problem. Got them on eBay for $69 front pair. Took the strut assy's off the car, went to Monroe Muffler and the manager there charged me $40 to change the old mounts to the new ones.

swifty562

$69 for a pair of mounts! thats a steal! i call the local dealer.. it was 94 dollars for one side!