Front suspension rattle

[tahoedriver]

Hello fellow tahoe owners,
I got a 97 tahoe LT 4x4, runs strong and hoping to get many more miles out of it in the future. Anyway, I noticed a while back (forgot how long) that there is clearly a loud rattle coming from the front end of the truck. I pretty much hear it all the time at low speeds going over speedbumps and cracks/holes in the roads. However I only hear the rattles going over or hitting pot holes...if the road is smooth, then no sound what so ever. Now my question is, how can I diagnose the origin of the sound? I've had passengers comment on the noise so I know its coming from both sides. Also, anybody ever deal with something like this before? Gets to be pretty annoying.

Also while I'm talking about suspension, my truck has roughly 172,000 miles on it so I'm sure the suspension is worn as it is all original. Do I need to replace any components of the suspension like bushings or sway bars or whatever else there is? There is very little I know about suspension. Sorry for the short story just trying to be clear and detailed.

[j cAT]

Originally Posted by tahoedriver

Hello fellow tahoe owners,
I got a 97 tahoe LT 4x4, runs strong and hoping to get many more miles out of it in the future. Anyway, I noticed a while back (forgot how long) that there is clearly a loud rattle coming from the front end of the truck. I pretty much hear it all the time at low speeds going over speedbumps and cracks/holes in the roads. However I only hear the rattles going over or hitting pot holes...if the road is smooth, then no sound what so ever. Now my question is, how can I diagnose the origin of the sound? I've had passengers comment on the noise so I know its coming from both sides. Also, anybody ever deal with something like this before? Gets to be pretty annoying.

Also while I'm talking about suspension, my truck has roughly 172,000 miles on it so I'm sure the suspension is worn as it is all original. Do I need to replace any components of the suspension like bushings or sway bars or whatever else there is? There is very little I know about suspension. Sorry for the short story just trying to be clear and detailed.

check the body hardware,fan shrouds,all that plastic material ,,,the fasteners when this old driving over ruff roads loosens/wears...then these plastic pieces rattle..could also be metal worn /rusted fasteners,,same thing...

springs will be needed if the vehicle sags...shocks if worn can make noises...sway bar bushings should be replaced ...all not just the links..

[TxStetson]

If the sound is metalic, and only happens when the front wheels are flexing, check the rubber boots on your half shafts. They are probably split and all the grease is missing, and what you are hearing is the little metal balls rattling. Your best bet is re-grease and buy replacement boots. This is a common problem with GM IFS front ends.

[skycranemech]

put a wrench on your shock mounts make sure they are tight, Mine where just a smidge from being tight enough an one side rattled a bit.

[tahoedriver]

Hey thanks for the reply's...I checked the rubber grease boots and all seemed fine with plenty of grease. Upon jacking the truck up enough to check the shock mounts, I found they weren't lose from what I can tell. I really am scratching my head at this. No clue as to what the source of the sound is. The only thing I keep going back to, is changing the sway bar and links. Does anybody know how difficult it would to change out these components? Any more ideas or suggestions? Would the control arms be a possiblity? If so how would I check them?
Thanks again for the reply's.

[bowhuntrrl]

It could be any number of suspension components with that mileage !!! I just had to replace the upper control arm bushings on the pass side of my '98 Tahoe. I also had a loose shock rattle after I put it back together. Could also be ball joints, stabilizer links or stabilizer bar bushings.