I have a 2003 cavi, I installed koni yellows and sportlines. Whenever I drive really slow or take off from a start and turn the wheel, the car makes popping/clunking noises. This only happens when I turn the wheels, not drive straight. I also replaced the strut mounts with the 95-99 ones....still the same deal. Any help would be greatly appreciated. I also have never got an alignment yet, could that have something to do with it?
Thanks,
Jason
Mine also clunked but it turned out to be a bad sturt bearing
http://www.cardomain.com/ride/605620
Clunk/Rumble = Strut Mount
Popping = CV
i also have the exact same clunk problem. ist been there for weeks, and doesnt seem to be getting worse. infact i havent heard it in a few days, so im going to let it be.
-Cameron (CaliforniaCavalier)
Girls make me mad and break my heart, but my car is always there for me.
I guess i will have to check the cv joint then....hopefully that wont be to hard to do. When i had the car jacked up i tried to move the wheel from side to side and there was no movement....i'll look at it again.
I actually had the same problem with my Koni Yellows turned out the screws from the bottom of the stock struts that hold the koni in place fell out So you might wanna put your hand on the bottom of the strut and see if the screws are still there. If not email koni and they overnighted me some new screws.
I've had the same problem with two suspension set ups on two separate J's. I would hear it especially after driving for some distance in the rain. Road debris, dirt, and grime, get up there. Now I am certainty no suspension expert but, I sprayed some WD 40 up there and sure enough the problem ceased shortly thereafter in both cars. Try it, but make sure you've checked out all other possibilities first to be safe.
Sharifs: Sprayed WD40 up where? In the CV joint? You shouldn't be able to see it, it should have a black boot over it. Up in the mount? Really shouldn't have any effect, no surfaces should move against any other surface in the mount (unless you have after-market mounts with pillowball bearings.)
C.T.S wrote:Sharifs: Sprayed WD40 up where? In the CV joint? You shouldn't be able to see it, it should have a black boot over it. Up in the mount? Really shouldn't have any effect, no surfaces should move against any other surface in the mount (unless you have after-market mounts with pillowball bearings.)
Well to be honest with you I'm really not a suspension expert. The first car I had the problem with, I brought back to the shop that installed them. They weren't very specific about why is happened, but they sprayed lubricant up toward the springs, perch, and mounts. They let it sit for awhile and told me to drive it around. Sure enough the noise stopped. On the second J I had a similar problem after driving long distances, in rainy weather. I broke out the wd 40 and sprayed up toward the springs and around the mounts. Let it sit. Drove it a bit, and the noise went away. Now I think what happens is that dirt and grime collect over time, especially in rainy weather where it can splash up in there, that dirt and grime build up causes friction or rubbing somewhere. The WD 40 loosens and breaks it up and the problem goes away. Again I could be completely wrong, but it worked for me so its worth a try.
That steering shaft applies when the sound is made regardless of the direction you are turning. If the sound happens only when turning one direction it is probably one of the aforementioned problems.
Just got my 2003 sunfire out of the shop today for a popping on the passenger side when the weight shifted to that side. They had replaced the upper strut mount earlier but the noise came back. This time they replaced the sway bar bushings and the noise is gone completely. At least they covered it under warranty even though I have 56K miles on the car. Only time will tell if the noise comes back.
D@mn, I've been working with the dealership to get this fixed too. They replaced both strut mounts and there still is popping...........WTF!!!!!! Maybe I'll have them try the sway bar bushings??
i have the exact same setup that's been on for almost a year now, and i just noticed the same problem your having when i was driving tonight. i hope i don't have to replace my mounts and hopefully it is just dirt and @!#$ in there.
im experiencing the same problem . my fiance took my car off roading and got mud on the springs. the noises started soom after that. im willing to bet it is the spring insulator and that some wd-40 or a new sheet of wubber will do the trick.
