Something in my front suspension is making a clatter when I go over washboard surfaces, and I have had no success in tracking it down. I replaced my front shocks and upper shock bushings a while back, as both the upper and lower bushings were getting pretty bad. This lessened the clatter somewhat for a while, but did not eliminate it, and it has been getting progressively worse again recently. I replaced the sway bar mount bushings this weekend, and while the car now corners very slightly better, it has not affected the clatter at all. After taking the wheels off, pry-barring everything looking for loose/worn components, and re-checking the torque on every bolt I could get to, nothing seems amiss, yet it still sounds like something is about to fall off the car. Control arm bushings look OK, top and bottom. Ball joints look tight. Bearings seem OK. V-blocks look decent, certainly not bad enough to be causing this kind of noise. Motor mounts look OK in static rev test, no undue engine rock. Anyone have any ideas? I'm almost to the point of just rebuilding the front suspension, even though nothing looks particularly worn.

 

Bighead- Having some slight noise myself, will wait to see the action from the forum as well.

 

I recommend that you change the anti-sway bar links if you have not yet changed them. If your shock bushings were shot then the links are likely also toast

 

Static rev test for the motor mounts? Open your hood, put the car in gear with one foot on the brake and give it some gas. You will know instantly if your mounts are bad. My engine started flopping like a fish out of water. If I just rev'd the engine in neutral or park everything looked fine.

Chris

 

I didn't do my motor mount test in gear, I'll try that when I get home.

And the sway links look fine, even when pried on, but I'll give changing them a try since they're easy (if pricey). Any recommendations on brand? I can get some MOOGs pretty easily.

 

After I replaced my shock mounts(lower) and engine mounts all of my noises went away. Too my end links were replaced under warranty at 60k miles and are still solid as a rock. However when ever I can I use Moog as a suspension replacement.

Chris

 

Well, it's definitely not the motor mounts. Tried the in-gear rock test and the engine barely moved. But at least I know my engine mounts are in great shape

I'll replace the sway links today or tomorrow and report back if it fixes the issue.

 

Cabe....you've mentioned just about everything n the front susp. dept. except one ;o]
Have you inspected the rear circular bushings which support the sub frame?
Also, have you pried the 'V' mounts rather than just look at them?
This rattle...is it a tap, tap or more thump, thump, sound?

 

Hmm... something must be loose. If you checked everything else may-be check brakes : pads, that part of the caliper that slides on pins, or that dirt cover behind the wheel could be loose. Drive over those washboard surfaces while applying brakes or while turning - see if it makes a difference.

 

I have a similar front end rattle in my 99 XJ. Cabezagrande, you were supposed to report back if the new sway bar links fixed the problem.....did you replace them, and what was the result?

 

Yes! Upon further inspection, one of my sway bar endlinks was very obviously bad. In two weeks it went from looking fine to there being basically no rubber in the bushing. New endlinks cleared the clatter up completely, brought back the handling ability that I hadn't noticed went missing until it was back, and it was super easy. Literally took me more time to get the car in the air and get the wheels off than to change the links.

 

What parts did you order? One side, both sides? Cost? Could this be done without a lift, only have floor jack. TY

 

A floor jack and jack stands to support the car are all you need. Raise both wheels together or the torque on the sway bar will make it very difficult to replace the end links and the bushings. Do both end links and both bushings - they will be equally worn.


There are multiple on line sources for the parts. Spend the few extra dollars for a name brand such as Moog. The cheap ones don't last long

 

I did it with two floor jacks. Like rocklandjag said you need to have both wheels in the air so there's no torque on the bar. I replaced both sides with Moog parts I picked up from Rock Auto. The other one didn't look bad, but I figured for $30 I'd just go ahead and replace it while I was in there.

 

Thanks much! Will do.

 

Stability links or sway bar links...are these the same? See both in parts stores. TY