Sound coming from front

Hi and thanks for using 2CarPros.

I'm not sure where you are located, but often times, cold temperatures will cause creaking sounds from bushings on the front of the vehicle. Often times they can be control arm bushings or sway bar bushings.

If you look at picture 1, it shows the sway bar bushings that I am referring to. If you bounce the front of the vehicle and hear the noise, check them first. Please keep in mind that the cold temperatures can cause the rubber to contract and this sound may go away once it warms back up.

Picture 2 shows the control arm and bushings. Again, these can be the problem.

Inspect them and let me know what you find. I can provide directions for component replacement if needed.

Take care,
Joe

Welcome back:

Most often, a wheel bearing will make a howling noise which changes pitch relative to speed. When you hear that noise, in a safe area, turn left and right to see if the sound changes. If it does, it's a bearing. What happens is this. When you turn right, the vehicle's weight increases on the left side. So, if it gets louder when turning right, the left bearing is bad. If the sound gets quieter, the right wheel bearing is bad. It will get quieter because you take weight off it.

Now, if you safely lift the wheels off the ground, place your hands at 6 and 12 o'clock and try to wiggle the wheel. If you find play, that can also be a bearing issue.

I hope that makes sense.

Also, I attached a picture (picture 1) which is the diagnostic flow chart for determining wheel bearing issues. Take a look at that too.

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If you determine a bearing needs replaced, here are the directions. The first set of directions are for the front wheels and the second are the rear. All attached pictures starting with number 2 correlate with these directions.

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Front Wheel Bearing and Hub Replacement

Special Tools

CH-50559 - Wheel Hub/Bearing Remover Kit

For equivalent regional tools, refer to Special Tools See: Suspension > Electrical / Mechanical Repair > Front Suspension.

Removal Procedure

1. Raise and support the vehicle. Refer to Lifting and Jacking the Vehicle See: Vehicle Lifting > Procedures > Lifting and Jacking the Vehicle.

2. Remove the steering knuckle assembly from the vehicle. Refer to Steering Knuckle Replacement See: Front Steering Knuckle > Removal and Replacement > Steering Knuckle Replacement.

Picture 2

3. Position the steering knuckle assembly (1) in a suitable vise.

4. Position the CH-50059-1 wheel hub/bearing removal/installation bridge assembly (1) and the CH-50559-2 wheel hub/bearing removal/installation adapter (2) on the wheel bearing inner hub.

5. Using the CH-50059-1 and the CH-50559-2, remove the wheel hub from the wheel bearing.

Picture 3

6. If the inner race of the bearing is pulled out with the hub, remove the inner race from the using the appropriate tools.

Picture 4

7. Using the appropriate tool, remove the retaining ring (1) from the steering knuckle.

Picture 5

8. Position the CH-50559-1 wheel hub/bearing removal/installation bridge assembly (1) and the CH-50559-3 wheel bearing removal adapter (2) on the steering knuckle.

9. Remove the wheel bearing from the steering knuckle and discard it. Inspect the bore of the of the steering knuckle for pitting, scoring wear, or corrosion. If damage cannot be easily cleaned up with light sanding, replace the steering knuckle.

Installation Procedure

Picture 6

Note:
Ensure that the wheel bearing is evenly seated in the steering knuckle.

1. Using the CH-50559-4 wheel hub/bearing installation adapter (1) and the appropriate extension and press, install the new bearing into the steering knuckle until it is correctly seated.

Picture 7

2. Position the CH-50559-4 (1) wheel hub/bearing installation adapter and the appropriate extension to the inside of the bearing and position the CH-50559-2 wheel hub removal/installation adapter and the appropriate extension on the wheel hub.

3. Press in the hub until it is correctly seated.

Picture 8

4. Using the appropriate tool, install the retaining ring (1).

5. Verify the hub rotates smoothly.

6. Install the steering knuckle assembly in the vehicle. Refer to Steering Knuckle Replacement See: Front Steering Knuckle > Removal and Replacement > Steering Knuckle Replacement.

7. Lower the vehicle.

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For rear wheel bearing replacement, see pictures 9 and 10.

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Let me know if this helps or if you have other questions.

Take care,
Joe

Hi Steve:

Honestly, I live in PA and it is a common occurrence. The bushings aren't really bad. The cold temperature caused them to contract and if they are a bit dry, they make a creaking noise. If you checked them and the sway bar has little to no movement, I would leave them alone. If, however, you want to replace them, here are the directions.

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Here are the directions for replacing the stabilizer bar itself. This process is extensive, but you should be able to eliminate many of the procedures because you don't have to remove the entire bar. Just remove the mount, then the bushing has a slice on one end so you can twist it off and the new one on without taking the entire bar out. The pics correlate with these directions.

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Stabilizer Shaft Replacement

Removal Procedure

1. Remove the intermediate steering shaft lower bolt. Refer to Intermediate Steering Shaft Replacement See: Steering Column > Removal and Replacement > Intermediate Steering Shaft Replacement.

2. Raise and support the vehicle. Refer to Lifting and Jacking the Vehicle See: Vehicle Lifting > Procedures > Lifting and Jacking the Vehicle.

3. Remove the tire and wheel assembly. Refer to Tire and Wheel Removal and Installation See: Wheels and Tires > Removal and Replacement > Tire and Wheel Removal and Installation.

4. Remove the front wheelhouse inner liner front extension. Refer to Front Wheelhouse Liner Inner Front Extension Replacement.

5. Remove the front bumper impact bar lower bracket. Refer to Front Bumper Impact Bar Lower Bracket Replacement.

6. Remove the stabilizer shaft links from the stabilizer shaft. Refer to Stabilizer Shaft Link Replacement See: Stabilizer Link > Removal and Replacement > Stabilizer Shaft Link Replacement.

7. Remove the lower control arm ball joint bolt and nut from the steering knuckle. Refer to Lower Control Arm Replacement See: Control Arm > Removal and Replacement > Lower Control Arm Replacement.

8. Disconnect the steering linkage tie rod end from the steering knuckle. Refer to Steering Linkage Outer Tie Rod Replacement See: Tie Rod > Removal and Replacement > Steering Linkage Outer Tie Rod Replacement.

9. Remove the transmission rear mount to bracket retaining bolt. Refer to Transmission Mount Bracket Replacement - Rear See: Transmission Mount, A/T > Removal and Replacement > Transmission Mount Bracket Replacement - Rear.

Picture 1

10. Remove the exhaust pipe insulators (1).

Picture 2

11. Release the front suspension frame front bolts about 10 mm.

12. Usingf a suitable support, support the crossmember area of the cradle.

Note:
It is not necessary to remove the front bumper facia in this procedure.

13. Using a suitable support, lower the front suspension frame (1) about 500 mm enough to gain access to the stabilizer shaft insulator bolts and to remove the stabilizer shaft. Refer to Drivetrain and Front Suspension Frame Replacement

Picture 3

14. Remove the stabilizer shaft insulator bolts (1).

Picture 4

Note:
It maybe necessary to maneuver the front stabilizer shaft in such away as to remove it from the front suspension frame.

15. Remove the front stabilizer shaft (1) from the front suspension frame.

Installation Procedure

Picture 5

1. Position the front stabilizer shaft (1) in the front suspension frame.

Picture 6

Caution:
Refer to Fastener Caution See: Vehicle > Technician Safety Information > Fastener Caution.

2. Install the front stabilizer shaft insulator bolts (1) and tighten to 22 Nm (16 lb ft).

Picture 7

3. Lift the front suspension frame (1) into the proper position and tighten the front suspension frame bolts. Refer to Drivetrain and Front Suspension Frame Replacement.

4. Install the transmission rear mount to bracket retaining bolt. Refer to Transmission Mount Bracket Replacement - Rear See: Transmission Mount, A/T > Removal and Replacement > Transmission Mount Bracket Replacement - Rear

5. Connect the steering linkage tie rod end from the steering knuckle. Refer to Steering Linkage Outer Tie Rod Replacement See: Tie Rod > Removal and Replacement > Steering Linkage Outer Tie Rod Replacement

6. Install the lower control arm ball joint to steering knuckle bolts. Refer to Lower Control Arm Replacement See: Control Arm > Removal and Replacement > Lower Control Arm Replacement.

7. Install the stabilizer shaft link to the stabilizer shaft. Refer to Stabilizer Shaft Link Replacement See: Stabilizer Link > Removal and Replacement > Stabilizer Shaft Link Replacement.

Picture 8

8. Install the exhaust pipe insulators (1).

9. Install the front bumper impact bar lower bracket. Refer to Front Bumper Impact Bar Lower Bracket Replacement.

10. Install the front wheelhouse inner liner front extension. Refer to Front Wheelhouse Liner Inner Front Extension Replacement.

11. Install the tire and wheel assembly. Refer to Tire and Wheel Removal and Installation See: Wheels and Tires > Removal and Replacement > Tire and Wheel Removal and Installation.

12. Remove the support and lower the vehicle.

13. Install the intermediate steering shaft lower bolt. Refer to Intermediate Steering Shaft Replacement See: Steering Column > Removal and Replacement > Intermediate Steering Shaft Replacement.

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For the stabilizer link (vertical) the directions are pictures 9 and 10.

Let me know if this helps or if you have other questions.

Take care,
Joe

You are very welcome. Feel free to come back anytime. And thanks. It's people like you that allow me to enjoy doing this.

Take care and let me know if you need anything.

Joe

Honestly, it may help quiet them down when it gets cold. However, don't use the traditional penetrating fluid sprays. If you are going to do it, use a silicone spray.

Please understand, this is only a temporary fix to the noise.

Let me know if you have other questions.

Joe

Hi Steve:

You are very welcome. Let me know if you have any other questions. Also, feel free to come back in the future is you need anything.

Take care,
Joe

Welcome back, Steve. Strut plates will make a clunking noise when hitting bumps, but usually not when turning. That sounds more like a stabilizer link or bar. Have you checked those?

Joe

Welcome back:

Basically you are just checking to see if there is excessive play in them, if the rubber mounts are worn or missing, and often times a link will actually break. However, they too can just have excessive play.

Don't laugh, but I just grab onto them and with aggression, see if I can move anything. If everything is tight, then I suspect it could be strut plate.

Let me know.

Joe

Welcome back, Steve:

You are very welcome. I had a feeling it was something like that. If you need help in the future, I hope you come back.

Take care and hope you had a nice 4th.

Joe