body mount?

[thebonjo]

I have a '99 LS 3.2 2wd. For several months now I am getting a creaking/knocking noise underneath the car near the driver's side floorboard when I turn or drive over rough surfaces. After seaching this forum, I have come to think that it must be a body mount problem. The strange thing is that I only have this problem when it is cold outside. During the summer months I had no problems, never makes a sound. But as soon as it gets a little cooler outside, it makes creaks and knocks really bad. Just wanted to get a second opinion of what it can be, before I crawl under the car, since I don't have the time to work on it that much. Could it be a bad shock instead?
Thanks.

[Gizmo42]

I would go with body mount or suspension bushing. When its cold the rubber is harder and wont expand or cushion as much so thats probably why its only noticable when its cold.

[Rainsey]

The Bonjo,

Had an almost identical prob with my 98 Rodeo (Aussie model), except the knock was on the passenger side, what seemed to be at the passengers feet. Quite a hard knock at times, especially when I turned a corner hard.

Turned out to be the rear engine mount (the one holding the transfer case to the cross memeber). The rubber had come away from one side of the mount but it was still supporting the gearbox. On a hard corner, the gearbox would knock against the bolts of the mount and the vibration would go through the cross member and into the floor.

$100 Aus for a new mount and the problem solved.

Cheers

Rainsey

[thebonjo]

Thanks for the input. I'm going to take a look at it on Thursday and see what I can find. How many suspension bushings are there, and are they easy to replace or tighten? Thanks.

[2eyefishclaw]

before going crazy looking for the noise check the rubber stops under the hood
if you pull the hood release and the hood does not pop up you will need to adjust them you would be supprised with the noise this makes and where it sound like its comming from

[n2play1]

Originally Posted by thebonjo

I have a '99 LS 3.2 2wd. For several months now I am getting a creaking/knocking noise underneath the car near the driver's side floorboard when I turn or drive over rough surfaces. After seaching this forum, I have come to think that it must be a body mount problem. The strange thing is that I only have this problem when it is cold outside. During the summer months I had no problems, never makes a sound. But as soon as it gets a little cooler outside, it makes creaks and knocks really bad. Just wanted to get a second opinion of what it can be, before I crawl under the car, since I don't have the time to work on it that much. Could it be a bad shock instead?
Thanks.

I'm having the exact same problem! last winter I took it to the dealer
since it was under warranty they said it was some mounts or bolts on the body get loose and they needed tightening, don't know what or where they were. I'm having the same problem this winter really annoying.
does anyone know which mounts or bolts to check, would really appriciate it....

[thebonjo]

Originally Posted by n2play1

I'm having the exact same problem! last winter I took it to the dealer
since it was under warranty they said it was some mounts or bolts on the body get loose and they needed tightening, don't know what or where they were. I'm having the same problem this winter really annoying.
does anyone know which mounts or bolts to check, would really appriciate it....

Well, the body mount that I thought was causing my problem (you right, it is very annoying to drive around with) is located right underneath the driver’s floorboard. If you take the plastic door sill off, then take the trim piece near the dead pedal off, and pull the carpeting up a bit, there is a rubber cap. Take that off. You can know see the top of the bolt and you will understand where it extends under the car. There is one just opposite on the passenger side, and I believe 3 more pairs at other points on the body. I tried to tighten mine, but it didn’t seem to help the problem any. The actual rubber mount might be busted but I really don’t know how to tell. Hope that sheds some light on the subject. Does anyone have any idea how much replacing body mounts would run?