XJ XJ8 / XJR ( X308 ) 1997 - 2003

Chattering from left front, suspects?

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Old Oct 14, 2016 | 03:00 AM
  #1  
Dan R's Avatar
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Default Chattering from left front, suspects?

I am getting chattering from the left front end in city driving.
What are the usual suspects?
Bushings or sway bar links?
I thought that everything down there was fin airly new/decent shape last I looked. Granted that was 6k mi ago.

Thanks again.
 
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Old Oct 14, 2016 | 05:56 AM
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Default what I found...

My 99 xjr had a clunk or rattle depending on your definition. I was underneath for an oil change and noticed the tie rod end boots were gone then looked closer and found all 4 ball joint boots were toast as well as the sway bar and shock bushings. The upper shock bushings were already showing signs of disintegration.
I replaced all the bad parts and the noise is gone so I can't say what did the trick but it may be a combo platter of things adding up to your noise. I will say that even though all the boots were gone the tie rod ends and 3 of the ball joints felt good when I got them out of the car. One had quite a bit of play so I suspect that was my main culprit.
Of course bad shock attachment bushings (either end) can do a lot of clunking as can sway bar links. Both of these are easier to address than the ball joints so I'd look there in hopes of an easy fix. BTW, my rear sway bar needed new attachment bushings as well as end links so I guess I had lots of possible noise sources.
One thing to note is that the car felt like new once I installed the new parts but after a couple of months of driving I'm noticing some less obvious noises that I think may be wheel bearings. Mine seemed ok when I was looking everything over but the car seems to wobble a little going over bumps at highway speeds. I don't have any growling but it will be the next thing I look at on mine...
 
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Old Oct 14, 2016 | 07:25 AM
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At this age most of the boots have cracks -- the upper ball joints are normally the first to go. Numerous rubber bushings .....

Both of mine have cracks in the tie rod boots -- not leaking at this time .. but will be replaced when I need to fix another part requiring a FEA.
 
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Old Oct 14, 2016 | 08:57 AM
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Sway links, shock mounts/bushings, and don't overlook the Vee-mounts either. They will make quite a racket if they're shot.
 
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