Hi I know cavy's just give you problems over problems.. I noticed that ever since the cold weather came in... my car seems to make this clinky noise(dont know how to explain it).. The roads here are pretty bumpy.. I can hear the noise coming from the front somtimes and the same noise also coming from the back. It doesnt sound to serious but, rather annoying, espaecially when i have the music low lol. Im thinking the top plates or rather table bushings. I added some of that jig 0 Loo on the top plates and, also allover the table bushings. Can this be due to the weather change. I tightened my uper shocks at the rear from the inside of my trunk and, also added some of that lube in there.. What can this be. I know im not harmimg it by doing this but, what does this crackling noise sound like to you guys?? Is there anything I can do to at least rid the noise.?? The car drives nice tho and very tight.. just annoying little noise that I hear every now and then. :rolleyes: :frown:

strut mounts.... welcome to the world of owning a j-body and strut mounts that fail all the time.

errr ok sounds like you got it right.. but what am I suppose to do ??? Do I leave it like that..??? :frown:

errr ok sounds like you got it right.. but what am I suppose to do ??? Do I leave it like that..??? :frown:


If you want to deal with an annoying sound you can leave it that way... Or you can spend the 45-50 bucks for a new mount and change it yourself in like 30 mins.. well if you've never done it b4, give yourself an hr.

To do this safley..
Loosen the big center nut while car is on the ground, but do not remove it! Loosen the 2 nuts on top of the strut tower and the 1 screw holding it in place. Safely raise vehicle and use all normal safety precautions and remove that wheel as well.
Use an18mm wrench to remove the 2 nuts from the bolts holding the strut to the steering knuckels. Bang the bolts out with a hammer. They have splines on them. Then remove the nuts and screw that are holding the unit in place from the strut tower. Get yourself some spring compressors from like autozone, you can rent em for the cost of the item then return it for a full refund. With the pressure taken off, remove the top center nut. Remove the old mount, install the new one. Install in reverse order.


However, i've done probabl 6 j-body suspensions and know a few short cuts where i don't need a spring compressor.

hmmm I think that might sound to much for me... as i am ok with brakes and simper stuff.. I might get this done by a qualified specialist.. However this could also be the stabalizer bushings.. because i got the top plates changed in August.. do you think it could be the plates.?? What about the sound coming from the back end.. it sounds just like the front one. And yes this is rather annoying because my car is like new..errr,, Damn cars always somthing to do. :frown:

Ok so I brought the car in this morning to get checked out.... The mechanic check everything.. strut mounts, bushing, stabaliser bar, ball joints, shocks... and,, said that everything was perfect.. no looseness anywhere. So now what can this clunky noise still be.. can this be the wheel bearings..??? :rolleyes:

Your mechanic is retarded... Everything can be snug with them, but still be shot. I've been through 3 sets of these things, i know.

ok so what should i do... i mean he told me that if i do hear a noise to wait until it gets worse... sounds like the noise is coming from the passenger sides.. front and back.. but its not too serious to detect. :popcorn:

My '04 Cavy makes a squeaky sound everytime I hit a bump or crack in the road. Would this possibly be the strut failing as well? Got 6 days left on the warranty.

Just a question here, you refer to the top plates, is that the upper bearing, or the rubber donut the spring seats on? Or something else? Thanks
Jeff

It all depends on the year. 95-99 were a solid once piece unit. 00-05 were 2 seperate pieces. I advise everyone to get ones for a 95-99 j-body as issues with the bearings are less common. I've tried both styles and the early 3rd gens are the best from my own tinkering and other peoples i have spoken with myself.

Iv noticed that with the wicked cold we are having here in Quebec.. the noise has stopped doing and my car drives nice and tight..wtf :2cents: ... which kind of top plates do you recommend for me to install ???

I reccomend solid ones, however they are quite expensive and very hard to find. Tein sells them with their SS coilover setups, and there was Held automotive who made some on their own. Regular A/C delco's for 95-99 would work just fine, or if you can get ahold of KYB's or regular monroe's work too. They average around $50 for the whole mount assembly.

ok thanks...
but it still leaves it at that... and, I dont understand why my car has totally stopped making the noises...

ok thanks...
but it still leaves it at that... and, I dont understand why my car has totally stopped making the noises...

Pray they don't come back while they are gone.. ;)

yeah LOL...

I just put some spray in the top plates on all 4 of them.. I put really good penetrating spray in there couple days ago and it seems like the clunks and squeeks have finally gone.. maybe the plate were to try from the change of temperature.. :rolleyes:

well looks like the noise is back but not as bad.... I put lots of grease in the top plates.. and i noticed when it gets really cold out it begines to make the noise..lol When the weather warms up the noises are gone.. :banghead: