Front end noise

My wife just purchased a 1997 Stratus. Unfortunately I did not go with her to test drive first. When she got the car home she said the car is noisey. After a road test myself i found that the front end makes several noises. First an overall noise similar to road noise but awefully loud. Keep in mind the car needs new front tires, It just seems a bit loud for just road noise. Second it makes noises when going over bumps, even small ones. The good news is that I don't beleive it is the CV joints because the front end seems tight with no clicking noises upon turning.
The car has other issues but I would like to address them one at a time in future posts.
Thanks Paul

YOU MAY WANT TO READ THESE!


1. NO: 02-07-97
SUBJECT: Low Frequency Rumble/Gear Type Noise From Front Of Vehicle
DATE: Sep. 26, 1997
NOTE:THIS BULLETIN APPLIES TO VEHICLES BUILT AFTER JUNE 1, 1997 (MDH 0601XX).

SYMPTOM/CONDITION:

Low frequency rumble or gear type noise coming from front of vehicle between 50 and 70 M.P.H. Noise is not throttle sensitive.

DIAGNOSIS:
Verify symptom/condition is present, inspect front hub/bearing assembly build code date by removing the wheel cover/aluminum wheel. The build code date is located on the outer edge of the hub nut cavity. If the build date is from 611 (6-11-97)through 812 (8-12-97) perform the Repair Procedure. If build date is not in this range and noise is present further diagnosis is required.

HUB/BEARING ASSEMBLY BUILD CODE
Sample, J0611A142
J =
0 = 1997
611 = June 11
A = Shift
142 = Vendor P/N



PARTS REQUIRED:

Quantity Part No. Description
AR(2) 04593777 Assembly, Hub/Bearing

2.NO: 02-05-98
SUBJECT: Intermittent Popping Noise in Front End
DATE: May 29,1998
NOTE: THIS BULLETIN APPLIES TO VEHICLES BUILT BEFORE DEC. 31, 1997 (MDH 1231XX).

SYMPTOM/CONDITION:
Intermittent popping sound coming from the front of the vehicle may be heard from either side. The popping can also be felt in the steering wheel and sometimes in the floor. This condition usually occurs during warm ambient temperatures after driving the vehicle for at least 5 - 10 miles (8 - 16 km) on smooth road surfaces. The noise will occur without steering input or suspension travel. Once the sound begins it may be intermittent to continuous. Stopping the vehicle and large turning angles may cause the sound to subside. The vehicle may have to be driven for another 5 - 10 miles before the sound returns.

DIAGNOSIS:
Test drive the vehicle on a smooth road surface and listen for a popping sound from the steering column to the steering gear connection. When the sound is heard it may be felt in the steering wheel and/or the floor. If available, use a sound listening device such as a Pentastar Service Equipment ChassisEAR®, p/n W-06600, to pinpoint the sound origination. If the sound is coming from the tie rod end(s), perform the Repair Procedure, otherwise further diagnosis will be required.

PARTS REQUIRED:
Qty Part No. Description
1 04796864 End, Tie Rod,Right Side
1 04796865 End, Tie Rod, Left Side

3. NO: 19-02-99 Rev. A
SUBJECT: Clunking Or Rattle In Steering Wheel/Steering Column
DATE: Oct. 22, 1999
THIS BULLETIN SUPERSEDES TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN’S 19-01-98 DATED FEBRUARY 6, 1998 WHICH SHOULD BE REMOVED FROM YOUR FILES AND NOTED IN THE 1998 TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN MANUAL (PUBLICATION NO. 81-699-99003) AND 19-02-99 WHICH SHOULD BE REMOVED FROM YOUR FILES. ALL REVISION ARE HIGHLIGHTED WITH **ASTERISKS** AND INCLUDE ADDITIONAL MODELS AND PARTS CHANGES.

OVERVIEW:
This bulletin involves resetting the steering column preload.

SYMPTOM/CONDITION:
Steering wheel/column clunking or rattle is more frequent while hitting bumps or on hard turns.

DIAGNOSIS:
Inspect steering wheel/column for any rattle or clunking noise. If symptoms exist perform the Repair Procedure.

PARTS REQUIRED:
Qty Part No. Description
1 05015627AA Bolt, Steering Gear Coupler Retaining, PL
1 **06506112AA Bolt, Steering Gear Coupler Retaining, JA/JX**
1 **06036212AA Clip, Steering Gear Coupler Retaining, JA/JX**

Hey thanks for the reply. The first issue might be close to it but symptoms do not respond as stated. I have talked also with a local parts supply company and that hub assembly was also brought up. I also spoke with the previous owner last night and he said "Yeah that noise has been there since we bought it 4 years ago. Took it to several places and had almost the whole front end replaced and it was still there. Just accept it as a noisey car." Well you know what, it didn't come of the line that way, so why should it stay noisey. Maybe I'm just picky. Thanks again for the feedback..

By the way, where did those posts come from? My searches didn't turn anything like that up.

Paul

Just turn your radio up loud and you won't notice it anymore. That's what I do with my stratus. It's just a noisy car.

Hey guys is this truly a noisy car. I have heard this from more than a few people. I can't believe that it came off the line that way...NOT THIS NOISY. I've been told that one of my CV boots are cracked and there is no grease in there. Also had a local parts dealer say the hub assemblies might need replacement...when all else failes the stereo gets cranked...Thanks you guys.

Hey there, Try checking the sway bar links, you need to really pry hard on them to see any movement. They will make thumping noises on very small pumps. I found they wear out quite often, so the last time I switched them back to the old style sway bar ends. If they are the problem let me know and I tell you how to make the ones I did. Hope this helps, Gary

Got a '96 Stratus ES, clunking steering wheel on turns and bumps. Regarding TSB 19-02-99 (Oct 22, 1999), are there proceedures for resetting the Steering Column pre-load, pictures/diagrams and location of the required parts?

THe steering column is a rare problem. Most common in the front end of these cars is the wheel bearings, lower ball joints, and sway bar links. Start with replacing the tires since you already know they need replacing. Go from there. Sounds like you have bearing noise. I have winter tires on my 99 and it made the cab noise DOUBLE because of the aggressive tread.

I Have A 2005 Dodge Stratus In Which I Got Into A Accident . I Hit The Curb And Bent My Rim. I Replaced My Rim And The Tire But Now I Hear This Noise Underneath The Car And Like A Wobbling Noise From Like A Tire What Can That Be

Is An Axel And Cv Joints The Samething