cmotomn

I have a '95 LS with 160k and the standard suspension. Over the past year I have started to hear a loose "clopping" sound from the suspension or body on the passenger side when I hit bumps or turn into a driveway. It usually makes the noise when turning left, so the body is leaning to the right. It's much worse with a passenger riding in the car (extra weight) and if the outside temp is below 50 degrees F. The local dealer inspected the front suspension and found no problems. Does anyone have any ideas??? (By the way, I had the L & R Strut Bar Assy replaced last year.) Thanks in advance for your help!

Ory-gun

I have the same problem with my 91 LS400.
It is the worst when I go uphill, or when I hit little bumps while turning left.
First I checked around to see it there was debris that was caught under the car.
I have had it checked out twice, the first time was at Les Schwab (tire place) when I got my rotors replaced. He told me that I have a bushing that was bad but they didn't replace them.
Based on what I have read on the internet, it really sounded like I had a control arm bushing that was bad. Some of the other problems that are associated with a bad bushing sounded familiar as well.
Excessive vibration at high speeds.
Tires wearing incorrectly.
Inability to properly align vehicle.
Car pulling to one side.
and of course, Loud Knocking noise from under floorboard while turning or going uphill.

So I took my car to a mechanic to check out the suspension, and he said there was no problem...(And looked like he was anxious to take lunch.)

Does anybody else know what might be the problem?
Ory-gun

kreativ

Tthat's been my experience as well. Although the noise when going over bumps, and the noise when turning left are different. It's a creaking noise when going over bumps and only in colder weather. And it's more of a popping noise when turning left, and I think it only happens if i'm applying the brakes while turning. Dealer checked out the car and said no problems.

dan

Had a similar problem and just about took the car apart trying to find it .Turned out to be the upper control arm ball joint.If you jack the car up and see any movement vertically in the joint it needs replacing even if it still feels tight. Can only replace the whole arm I think. Good luck

92sc

I have a creaking sound in the front end. If I stood at the front of the car and pushed up and down by the wheel well, and located the sound on the left side of the suspension. Could it just be a bad strut, or is it more likely something in the suspension?

RA40

iTrader: (6)

May check the spring to see how/where it is seated on the perch. I installed some springs into one car and it creaked/groaned at certain times. Found out one of the rear insulators had worn through and the front creaking was the spring was not indexed into strut hat properly. A new set of insulators and setting the front spring right, no worries.

wolver1ne

I do believe those mechanics were to afraid to tell the truth because you might not use theie services when they tell you the actual cost for parts/repair , when in fact, a little homework of your own on-line at parts.com for used upper control arms and new lower ball joints would do the trick...I did and saved over $800 from a $1,300 parts/labor including 4 wheel alighnment.

my first advice would be go to an alighnment specialist then go from there. I'll bet you'll get a different answer