Car Repair Help by Professional Mechanics.
Troubleshooting
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Click Sound
Clicking or Rattle Sound While Driving
While some road noise is acceptable when driving, a clicking or rattling sound
is indication of a component that has failed or has come loose. Many suspension
components are in action while the car is driving included shocks, struts, ball
joints, lower control arm, bushings, sway bar links and more. Isolate the noise
from front to rear, this will help in the diagnoses. If the location of the noise
is difficult to detect have a helper ride along in the rear seat of the car and
compare opinions. We have listed below the some of the more popular reasons for
these noise conditions.
Troubleshooting Procedure
A. Checking Front or Rear Strut Failure: Struts are created with hydraulic
dampening valves that can fail causing a clicking or popping noise. If strut oil
is leaking the shaft seal has failed and will cause a rattle or clicking noise.
To test for this condition disassemble strut assembly and check for excessive strut
movement, if strut is easily moved (low resistance) replacement is needed. A spring
compressor is required for disassembly.
Front Strut Leakage
B. Checking Front or Rear Shock Failure: Shocks are created with hydraulic
dampening valves much like struts and can fail causing a clicking or popping noise.
If shock oil is leaking the shaft seal has failed and will cause a rattle or clicking
noise. To test for this condition inspect shock assembly and check for leakage,
if shock is easily moved (low resistance) replacement is needed.
Rear Shock Leaking
C. Inspect Strut Rod Bushing: Strut rod bushings are designed to hold the
front suspension steady on acceleration and braking conditions. Inspect strut rod
bushings for cracks or dilapidation. When a strut rod bushing fails it allows the
suspension arm to contact frame metal this is what produces the rattling sound.
This condition can be more prevalent when braking or accelerating. If these condition
exist replace is needed.
Cracked Strut Rod Bushing
D. Testing Check Front Drive Axle CV Joints: When CV joints start to wear
they will bind up on acceleration. This causes a vibration in the front suspension
that transfers to the vehicle. Remove drive axles and inspect versatility of each
CV joint. If a bind or hard spot is observed the CV Joint/Axle needs to be replaced.
Front Wheel Drive Axle
E. Check Sway Bar Links/Connectors/Bushings.
The sway bar on your car is designed to stop the car from rolling when driven into
a corner. This bar is attached to the frame on each side then connected to each
suspension control arm on both sides. To inspect sway bar bushings for wear look
for cracked bushings or missing link insulators. If damage is observed replace the
sway bar links with new and recheck system replace as needed.
Sway Bar Link and Mount
Troubleshooting
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Click Sound
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