suspension problems

[zimaad]

I have a few suspension questions.

First, about 6 months ago I put in new monroe sensatracs in the front. For the last month or so they have been making a lot of noise when going over bumps. Any ideas why this happens?

Second, on occasion, the front end of my car will make a concerning noise. It's a sort of loud hollow banging noise that seems to coincide with rotation of the wheel. Not restricted to while turning.(bowbow...bowbow..bowbow...like your tapping a 1/2 full paint can.) It may last for 10 seconds then go away.....or it may last for for up to 5 minutes or so. The first time it happened, I thought my car snagged something from the road and it was baning as I drove down the road. Anyone have any suggestions or ideas. Could a hanging break do anything like this???

[rodtice]

Sounds like axles, when you put in the monroes, did you pull the CV joints apart?

[zimaad]

Well...I tried to not let anything hang and put braces under the steerng knuckle so it wouldn't extend out...but you never know. Is there any way I can check to see if it's bad?

Thanks

[dwalmop]

It sounds like 1 of 2 things about making a lot of noise going over bumps. 1) Did you put the struts in yourself? If so, did you tighten the strut onto the mount tight enough? If that were to come loose, it could make unbearable noise. 2) Your strut mount itself could be bad. If the rubber wears out on those, the same unbearable noise could happen. I don't think a hanging brake could cause the noise you described.

[zimaad]

The sound I went into moderate detail describing is separate from the one the struts seem to be making. It sounds like its coming from when the struts are actuated into their housing, almost making a squeaking noise. I thought of something else today too....I put on urethane sway bar bushings and end links when I changed the struts. I wonder if the sway bar bushings needs to be greased and it making the noise as the bar rotates in the bushing?? hmmmm...