Loose sounding front end

[9934alero]

As of right now the car rides well, its a 1999, 3.4, 132 000 kms. When I go over a rough part of road, causeing my wheels to go up and down rapidly, it sounds "loose". I can't think of a better word to describe it. I was thinking that it would be ball joint or tie rod's. Since I don't know much about front end wheel assembaly, I thought would pose this question to the forum. Have any of you had this problem/symptom? I would to have it as a preventive maintence cost than a repair, since we all know repairs are much more expencive. thank you in advance for your imput

-trav

[BNaylor]

How old are your struts? At that mileage it sounds like time for replacement.

[skrizan]

When my 2000 was still under warranty I had the same problem and the dealer replaced the tierods. It seemed to take care of the problem, but kind of odd that a brand new car needs new tierods...

The other possibility is that the antilock/traction is control kicking in. Sometimes rough road/potholes can it to kick in, and it sounds like everything is rattling around up front.

[BNaylor]

Also, Aleros and other GM "N" body cars are notorious for flaky upper front end strut mounts, rubber bushings and load bearing. Some 1999 owners had bad strut coil springs (broken). When bad you will get rattling/squeaking/creaking sounds when going over bad bumps or turning hard. Ours is a 2002 GL2 had we had the driver's side upper strut mounts replaced under warranty. Also, GM has a TSB out on this problem.

[9934alero]

I just bought the car this past august, since then I have done no repairs. It is very possible that the struts have never been replaced. I was thinking of getting better than OEM struts, hoping for a stiffer ride, or would replacing the warn stuts take care of that? thanks for all the imput so far!

[BNaylor]

Originally Posted by 9934alero

I just bought the car this past august, since then I have done no repairs. It is very possible that the struts have never been replaced. I was thinking of getting better than OEM struts, hoping for a stiffer ride, or would replacing the warn stuts take care of that? thanks for all the imput so far!

Struts after 50K miles wear out and the ride suffers. The GM OEM struts are good but like any suspension component wear out. I replace mine at 50K mikes. In kilometers you have well over that. It is the best starting point.

KYB makes great aftermarket struts for the Alero. The ride is stiffer. I would not recommend Monroe or Gabriels since the ride on those are soft.

[9934alero]

OK, thanks for your help man, I'll be changing out the struts when the money come along... I'm sure i will notice a vast improvement in the ride.