XJ XJ6 / XJ8 / XJR ( X350 & X358 ) 2003 - 2009

Two noises in my front end remain

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Old Aug 11, 2025 | 08:05 PM
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Default Two noises in my front end remain

And I believe I have located the cause of each. One is a rattle and the other is a metallic “clink” sound, both occur when driving over even tiny bumps in the road.

The rattle I have discovered is in the steering column. Tonight I was under the car, and I could grab the steering column just under the U joint, and turning it left and right it made a clunk sound at each turn.

The other sound occurs when I hit the underside of the driver side tie Rod end with the heel of my hand, striking upward. It’s strange, but it appears to be coming from the brake pads clinking against the brake rotor. Is this a thing?

any thoughts from any of you as to how to approach each of these would be appreciated. So far, I’ve replaced the control arms, tie rod ends, sway bar end links and bushings. If I can fix these last two noises then I think I’ll be done with the front.
 
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Old Aug 15, 2025 | 03:47 PM
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Please keep us up to date with what you find out. I have the same exact problem. I have replaced everything replaceable on the front end. I get the same noises that you get over tiny bumps. I have had two mechanics look at it but still not fixed. They told me just to drive the car and live with it but that's not how I operate. The best way I have found is to buy something called "chassis ears" on amazon. You hook up several attachments that have microphones in them in the areas that you suspect. As you go over the bumps, look for the microphone that is making the noise on the hand held noise unit. I have not purchased one myself but this is the only way to really find out where the problem is. One member on here found out the the noise was a new ball joint that he just replaced that was bad. Cost around $100.00 on Amazon.
 
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Old Dec 26, 2025 | 10:22 PM
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Originally Posted by JDog
Please keep us up to date with what you find out. I have the same exact problem. I have replaced everything replaceable on the front end. I get the same noises that you get over tiny bumps. I have had two mechanics look at it but still not fixed. They told me just to drive the car and live with it but that's not how I operate. The best way I have found is to buy something called "chassis ears" on amazon. You hook up several attachments that have microphones in them in the areas that you suspect. As you go over the bumps, look for the microphone that is making the noise on the hand held noise unit. I have not purchased one myself but this is the only way to really find out where the problem is. One member on here found out the the noise was a new ball joint that he just replaced that was bad. Cost around $100.00 on Amazon.
I discovered the source of the metallic clinking. The previous owner had replaced the front brake pads but had declined to install the metal clips which secure the pads. So, each time I hit even the slightest bump, the pads would rattle inside the caliper and clink. I have installed new pads with the clips and that sound is now gone.

Still looking for the rattle, and I’m now less convinced it’s the steering column.
 
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