2003 Saturn Ion Noise underneath car

HEIDIANDERSON

MEMBER
2003 SATURN ION
4 CYL
FWD
AUTOMATIC
83,000 MILES

My car has been great - never given me any problems, knock on wood! Just recently, I notice when I drive I hear a sound from one side underneath the car. The sound is almost like a double sounded click/thump; especially when driving over bumps. I am willing to take my car into a shop, but just want to be prepared for the possible truth. What could be causing this sound?

3 Replies

SATURNTECH9

MECHANIC
30,870 POSTS

First off thank u so much for ur donation it really helps to keep this site going and help people with there car. If u turn left to right quickly in a parking lot at slow speed does it pop from the front end?If so u need new sway bar bushings and sway bar brackets they redesigned them the 03 and early 04 need the the brackets too. Let me know what u find and how it goes.

SPONSORED LINKS

Was this

answer

helpful?

Yes

No

Sunday, February 7th, 2010 AT 10:26 PM

HEIDIANDERSON

MEMBER
2 POSTS

I took my car to the local mechanic shop and they determiend it was the right side bushing that went bad. They did not mention any other clip or other piece - only the bushing. Is this okay to change the bushing and not the clip? I drove the car after the repair was done and it sounds better when driving - especially when turning the wheel from left to right. Although, I still hear a little bit of something when going over bumps, so I am going to just pay attention to this and if it worsens will take it back. Thanks again - you were quite helpful and correct :)

Was this

answer

helpful?

Yes

No

Wednesday, February 10th, 2010 AT 2:20 PM

SATURNTECH9

MECHANIC
30,870 POSTS

First off u should have had both bushings changed. Also the reason u have to change the brackets is because the old brackets didn't hold the bushings tight enough and allowed them to move and wear down causing the popping. If u look at the old bushings there all polished from moving around in the bracket. There's a bulletine on replacing the bushings and brackets on the 03 and early vin 04 ions if u don't replace the brackets they found the same thing happens the bushings move around and wear down. Best thing to do is replace the bushings and brackets.

Was this

answer

helpful?

Yes

No

Wednesday, February 10th, 2010 AT 4:03 PM