Crackle in the front suspension

[INF3RN0666]

Hey

I was driving a 2003 buick century. When I come to a stop or accelerate from a stop, there's a crackle from the front suspension as the front end dips or rises. Somebody said it was the mounts, but I'm not entirely convinced. Any idea what it could be?

[shorod]

It's very difficult to diagnose noises over the Internet. Your 'crackle' may be my 'creak.' Can you duplicate the sound by jouncing the front of the car with the car in park? Does it sound like dry rubber on steel? Or does it sound more like air rushing through a small hole? Is it brief, like only as the car's front end travels one direction, or the entire time you accelerate or brake? Certainly when it comes to sounds, the more information you can provide the better. Also, since this noise likely is specific to the type of car, have you tried searching the Buick Century forum?

-Rod

[INF3RN0666]

It sounds like compressing dry rubber. The noise occurs at the end of the braking or just at the begining of the acceleration.

[shorod]

I'd suspect struts or anti-sway bar bushings. But, I would first suggest you try that search of the Buick Century forum to see if this is a common issue others have fixed.

-Rod

[jdmccright]

It could be the rubber strut boots that cover the struts and keep dirt and water out. They can get old, cracked, and split open. I've even seen then wedged up in the upper strut mount after coming loose.

Other possibilities are sway bar end links, control arm bushings, and ball joints. Hope this helps!