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Replaced ball joints, still sound bad

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Old Apr 2, 2011
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Replaced ball joints, still sound bad

I just replaced the ball joints on my 01 since they sounded like they were about to grenade evertyime I hit a bump. The car definetly feels tighter when driven, and although the noise is better, there is still a definate "clunk" in the right conditions.

Something else I should be looking at?

Thanks!
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Old Apr 3, 2011
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Re: Replaced ball joints, still sound bad

most common ones: sway bar endlinks, compliance bushings in LCA's, tie-rod ends, strut top hats,
others: etc
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Old Apr 3, 2011
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Re: Replaced ball joints, still sound bad

Lol. Oh god. That reminds me. My girlfriend's car would clunk every time she hit a bump. Her noise actually did turn out to be the tie rod ends. Some asshat put electrical tape around the boots. Didn't help. I took them off last night and there was grease everywhere. Sway bar endlinks, especially the OEM ones, aren't that tough. After 10 years, they break pretty easily. Trust me, I know. Lol. sdaidoji gave a good place to start looking.
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Old Apr 3, 2011
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Re: Replaced ball joints, still sound bad

Yeah, but i forgot to add the engine mounts in the most common ones
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Old Apr 4, 2011
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Re: Replaced ball joints, still sound bad

Today while driving I hit a bump and could swear I felt the "clunking" through the floor board against my foot. Does that narrow the list of potential problems?
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Old Apr 4, 2011
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Re: Replaced ball joints, still sound bad

? uncommon cause? exhaust? something got under the car?
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Old Apr 30, 2011
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Re: Replaced ball joints, still sound bad

what does the "top hat" look like? the reason I ask, is becuase I am getting a clunking noise coming from the front end even though i replaced the tie rod ends, lower ball joints, and sway bar end links...the lca bushings appear to be in good shape..the struts appear to be in good condition.....I pulled apart one of the struts, and noticed alot of sand under the "bearing" ( I guesss that's what it's called, even though there are no metal bearings in it...) cleaned it out and regreased....about to check the other side ...also, how can you tell when the strut mount, part # 51920-S5A-024 goes bad?? I noticed there's a bushing inside of it...it appears to be in good shape
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Old Apr 30, 2011
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Re: Replaced ball joints, still sound bad

they not that expensive.
top mount is top mount, where the bearings are
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Old May 12, 2011
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Re: Replaced ball joints, still sound bad

So today this arrived at my house.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...K%3AMEWAX%3AIT

LCA bushings are the main problem, but ill do the rest while im in there, minus the tie rod ends if they look ok. Will an alingment be needed if I can get by without touching the tie rods?

Any advice or tips?

Thanks for all your help thus far!
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Old May 14, 2011
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Re: Replaced ball joints, still sound bad

Originally Posted by p8nt
So today this arrived at my house.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...K%3AMEWAX%3AIT

LCA bushings are the main problem, but ill do the rest while im in there, minus the tie rod ends if they look ok. Will an alingment be needed if I can get by without touching the tie rods?

Any advice or tips?

Thanks for all your help thus far!
Did you get the parts installed? That's a good deal, are they OEM? I was originally going to install the Energy Suspension bushings in my current LCAs, but they are pretty rusted, so it may be a better idea to replace the entire LCA.

I'm pretty sure you'll be fine without an alignment as those parts are not intended to be adjusted.

Last edited by stevelaw18; May 14, 2011 at 05:05 PM.
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Old May 14, 2011
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Re: Replaced ball joints, still sound bad

if changing the top hats as well, might be advisable to align. LCA's - if the older ones were somewhat bent, the new ones could change alignment too.
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Old Jun 26, 2011
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Re: Replaced ball joints, still sound bad

Originally Posted by stevelaw18
Did you get the parts installed? That's a good deal, are they OEM? I was originally going to install the Energy Suspension bushings in my current LCAs, but they are pretty rusted, so it may be a better idea to replace the entire LCA.

I'm pretty sure you'll be fine without an alignment as those parts are not intended to be adjusted.
Not OEM, but fitment was perfect. Replaced everything but the tie rod ends. Car feels much better and the noise I was hearing is long gone. However now I notice a slight wheel bearing hum (no noticeable play in the wheels yet) and a repetitious creek/groan while braking. (brakes are completely new, except for front calipers)

I suppose I cant complain as Ive racked up 232,xxx miles at this point. Automatic by the way!
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