loud "spring" noise front front

[frantik]

I notice when I turn the wheel all the way to one side and then move the car, something clicks or makes a "spring" like noise.

it's coming from the drivers side front wheel. i can also cause it to happen by bouncing the frame near the wheel.

i'm assuming it's a ball joint or some shit but which one?

[russiankid]

Which ones have you not replaced?

[86ccord]

well on my mazda truck, when i turn to sharply a bold head knocks against the frame.. so it could be that...

[frantik]

Which ones have you not replaced?

i havent replaced any of them

[russiankid]

i havent replaced any of them

Jack up that side of the car and give the wheel a good tug. I use a crow bar on the lower ball joint to check for play.

[MessyHonda]

pico shop time

[carotman]

Hmm the only ball joint I can see making such a noise is the lower ball joint.

Here in Canada they're prone to failure. Does it sound like a squeaky mattress?

[w261w261]

Hmm the only ball joint I can see making such a noise is the lower ball joint.

Here in Canada they're prone to failure. Does it sound like a squeaky mattress?

I'm having that problem myself, which seems to vary with temperature. Very cold or very hot, strangely. My mechanic said (last summer) that it's the lower ball joint, but the joint itself is not worn out. I definitely have to get on top of it soon, or the temperature has to get warmer, it's very disconcerting.

[carotman]

Don't leave this one unattended!

What happend most of the time is that either is lacks grease or water got in and it started to rust inside.

There's 2 things that can happen. The joint will seize from time to time. Once you turn the wheels, the stud will get weaker from the torsion and will actually break someway. If it doesn't seize, it will just wear and wear over time and could pop out.

Both outcomes are the same. The wheel will come in contact with the inner fender, causing a mess, possibly breaking the brake line and popping the CV joint out. Might also bend the fender...


It's going to look like this:


For some obscure reason, this happens mostly at low speeds where you turn more your wheels.

[frantik]

yeah its been getting louder so i want to get it taken care of. so lower ball joint eh

[Pico]

Frantik
Did you take care of this yet?
You know I have time now on weekends to help you out if you havent fixed it yet
give me a call if you need some help

[3rd Party]

what about clicking once the wheel has been turned more than 60*??

[codyJDM]

what about clicking once the wheel has been turned more than 60*??

Axles.

[frantik]

Frantik
Did you take care of this yet?
You know I have time now on weekends to help you out if you havent fixed it yet
give me a call if you need some help

not yet.. i need to a) find out what is wrong and b) have money to buy the replacement part

i'll have u guys look at tomorrow if possible so i know what part to get

[Demon1024]

the squeaking sounds more like control arm bushings too me, but if you do the upper joint too this wont be a problem.

[frantik]

Went to the picoshop and replaced my outer tie rods today, it solved the noise problem and made my suspension feel so much better

[jdmca6]

nice u got it solved
is soo annoying the noise it makes/
i greased my joints with white lithium grease and wooaaalaa

[Pico]

..
Ball Joints and prelude arms next...

[frantik]

w00t sounds good

thanks again dude.. you did those tie rods before i could even blink

[w261w261]

Went to the picoshop and replaced my outer tie rods today, it solved the noise problem and made my suspension feel so much better

I've been wondering about my tie rod ends, as I have 217k. Can you tell when the car's up on the lift that the ends are worn? How many miles are on yours? Or did you just take a shot and it paid off?

[LxAcc510]

I need to get on top of this too. My car sounds like a squeaky matress too =X

[Pico]

I've been wondering about my tie rod ends, as I have 217k. Can you tell when the car's up on the lift that the ends are worn? How many miles are on yours? Or did you just take a shot and it paid off?

the original plan was to replace frantik's ball joints, when I got started I noticed that his outer tie rod boot was torn badly.
I inspected the ball joints for play and there wasnt any, so we decided to just replace the tie rods for now since that was really needed and there was play in the steering from left to right. ( the socket was ready to pop out of place ) we're doing his ball joints next and replacing his l/f axle at the same time since he has a torn boot on the outer joint.

I need to get on top of this too. My car sounds like a squeaky mattress too =X

time for bushings and more to get done.

[Dr_Snooz]

w00t sounds good

thanks again dude.. you did those tie rods before i could even blink

You're going to get it aligned now right?

[russiankid]

Might as well get all the ball joints replaced and then go for an alignment.

[frantik]

I've been wondering about my tie rod ends, as I have 217k. Can you tell when the car's up on the lift that the ends are worn? How many miles are on yours? Or did you just take a shot and it paid off?

as pico said, the boot was torn.. you easily see it when the wheel was off but you can probably inspect them if you turn the wheels all the way to one side without putting it on the lift

the new tie rod ends barely moved at all in the socket while the old ones could be moved easily with one finger. I suspect they were original with the car (so 220k miles on them)

the ends were only $25 for the pair and pico managed to swap them in like 30 mins tops so if you've got any doubts just go ahead and replace them

You're going to get it aligned now right?

i'm planning on doing more suspension work soon so i'll probably wait. Plus my house is over an hour away from Picos and i didn't have any alignment issues on the way home so i might skip it anyways