Front Suspension Noise ('01 LS V8)

[Lead Foot]

I am hearing a tapping sound from the front suspension when riding over small bumps or pits in the road. It's not a thump which would be a deeper toned sound; it is kind of a tickety-tack sound only heard over bumps. I replaced the swaybar endlinks (dog bones) last week ... the old ones didn't look that bad, but I did it none the less. The noise however is still there and unchanged. Any thoughts??

PS - I used to have lowering springs on a previous car that would chatter due to the progressive rate design. The sound is quite remeniscent of that, although the LS still has all stock suspension.


... patiently waiting on the Eibachs and Magnaflow!

[CGGorman]

It's probably your brake pads. My last set did that until I replaced them with ones that included the anti-rattle clip...

[Lead Foot]

Originally Posted by CGGorman

It's probably your brake pads. My last set did that until I replaced them with ones that included the anti-rattle clip...

Really, how would you check for this? Whats the anti-rattle clip look like? Never thought of the brake pads.

[CGGorman]

They are metal clips that snap onto the pad backing. They should be included in the brake kit, but probably are NOT pre-installed on the pad.

[Lead Foot]

Originally Posted by CGGorman

They are metal clips that snap onto the pad backing. They should be included in the brake kit, but probably are NOT pre-installed on the pad.

Thanks, I'll check it out. Any other thoughts?

[CGGorman]

My experience points toward the clips, but the stabilizer bar bushings are also suspect, as well as the ball joints. I've not heard anything about the control arm bushings or strut mounts, other than isolated cases.

[Lead Foot]

Found the source. I installed my front Eibach springs today and noticed on both sides that the upper bumpstop hat was detached from the upper coil seat (see below). So I removed them ... simple as that. Drove the car for about 10 minutes over familiar roads where I knew the noise would occur and now it's gone. Just another check for those having front end noises ! PS - CGGorman, the clips are there on the brake pads; thanks for the suggestion.

[CGGorman]

Well, that's a new one! Must have come loose in a big hit?

[Lead Foot]

Originally Posted by CGGorman

Well, that's a new one! Must have come loose in a big hit?

There's no signs of any type of suspension damage that might have caused these to break loose like that. Seems to me the spot welds were just weak. I have the original wheels and tires and also no indications there either. Strange I know, but at least I located it. Those stupid hats were just rattling around against the strut stems. Been driving the car all day ... completely revived!! I'm a happy camper !

[TWygant]

If you're getting noises going over bumps, check out the sway bar bushings, too. They're cheap to buy (about $5 each), but they can be a son of a gun to replace - especially the passenger side. Mine failed about 75k miles, but after replacing them, the noise went away completely and the drive was like new again.