About two weeks ago, went over a bump somewhat hard, didn't bottom out. Lately I've been having a sound on the drivers side, seems front and back that can only be described as loose lumber bouncing around. It doesn't happen on every bump, but happens I'd say 50% of the time I go over any sort of larger bump in the road. I'm thinking strut mounts, any other possibilities?
alright, upon searching it appears to be the mounts. I guess I want to rule out struts as I just bought a set of Koni's and hope they're not shot already.
Could the mount in the front make the same sound?
i have the loose lumber sound coming from my rear. how can i tell if the strut mount is gone bad as described in the John Lenkos FAQ - Definitions of parts included
*** Written By John Lenko*** sticky?
~1996 Cavalier LS 2.4L (auto)
Letxen3 wrote:i have the loose lumber sound coming from my rear.
Sounds like you've got junk in ur trunk
2010 Subaru Impreza WRX Limited
1999 Cavalier Z24 Supercharged
1999 Grand AM SE (Beater Car)
1997 GMC Sierra
2007 Honda CBR 600RR
2005 Honda TRX450R
its the strut mount and not the strut. if your strut was bad, you would know it. every bump you'd hit, the car would bottom out.
Cursed Cav (Luke Heier) wrote:Letxen3 wrote:i have the loose lumber sound coming from my rear.
Sounds like you've got junk in ur trunk
sounds to me like a lil to much buttsecks.....youy should try flexing to get your starfish back in shape.....
then it will be tight on the lumber again.
u sure u don't have lumber in your trunk?
WiGM-Tuners member.
no serious guys i look under the wheel well and i dont see anything wrong. and inside the trunk the strut bar is nice and tight i dont know what to look for in a bad strut mount??
~1996 Cavalier LS 2.4L (auto)
Since you are concerned about the rear strut mount, when they go bad the metal sleave in the middle of the mount seperates from the rubber body, thus giving you the sound.
You will more than likely have to take out the rear strut assembly to tell tho.
newt wrote:Since you are concerned about the rear strut mount, when they go bad the metal sleave in the middle of the mount seperates from the rubber body, thus giving you the sound.
You will more than likely have to take out the rear strut assembly to tell tho.
yes, or like in my case, it seperates and sends the strut shaft right through and it hits off your rear deck.....
thanks guys. well since i am going to by new lowering springs and struts this should automatically fix my problem then.
~1996 Cavalier LS 2.4L (auto)
if you get new mounts with them.....yes
question i dont know if i want to get new springs and struts at the moment. if i just
buy the strut mount, do i still need to remove the strut and spring?
~1996 Cavalier LS 2.4L (auto)
do i need to rent a spring compression tool inorder to remove the struts front and rear?
~1996 Cavalier LS 2.4L (auto)
If you have coilovers, no.
If you have actual 'lowering springs' or just plain struts, yes.
I had this sound until today. PIssed me off. I put new strut mounts in, and it didn't help the issue.
It was my trailing arm bolts. damned things were a little loose.
I have the loose lumber sound too.....but that's my socket set rattling around in my spare tire housing against the metal. With that and my Tein SS which has solid mounts to stiffen everything up it sounds like a snare drum going down the street.....lol. I gotta take them $hit's out of there.
"Never argue with an idiot. They'll drag you down to their level, then beat you with experience!" -Anonymous
I assume the same problem can occur on the front and produce the same symptoms?
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2003 Cavalier, base with auto/tilt/CD/AC (wife's) -- 2012 Mazda5 Touring with audio package (mine)
i had the junk in trunk or lumber sound in my rear struts, i replaced the whole strut with a kit that comes with spring and mount. sound is gone, car drives like new.
~1996 Cavalier LS 2.4L (auto)
Letxen3 wrote:do i need to rent a spring compression tool inorder to remove the struts front and rear?
No, install the new mount and then jack the axle up to lift the spring and shock back up. Take the nut off first because if you try to release the spring when not on the car it will pop and smack you in the hand.
Holy back from the dead!
Your post was confusing, I'm not sure if you are describing how to remove the strut/spring or install the strut/spring since you mention both in the same sentance.
However, you are wrong. There is so little pressue on the spring if you simply use an impact to remove to nut that holds the strut mount to the spring/strut, the spring will pop up maybe 1/2 inch max.
I ussually stand the whole assembly up, put pressue on the strut mount with my left arm and use an impact to remove the nut. I've done probably half a dozen like this before, never had an issue.
Reverse the procedure for reinstalling the mount.
Saves from the hassle of having to go out and rent a spring compressor.
NOTE: I take no responsibility if you try it like this and somehow manage to hurt yourself....LOL
newt wrote:Holy back from the dead!
Your post was confusing, I'm not sure if you are describing how to remove the strut/spring or install the strut/spring since you mention both in the same sentance.
However, you are wrong. There is so little pressue on the spring if you simply use an impact to remove to nut that holds the strut mount to the spring/strut, the spring will pop up maybe 1/2 inch max.
I ussually stand the whole assembly up, put pressue on the strut mount with my left arm and use an impact to remove the nut. I've done probably half a dozen like this before, never had an issue.
Reverse the procedure for reinstalling the mount.
Saves from the hassle of having to go out and rent a spring compressor.
NOTE: I take no responsibility if you try it like this and somehow manage to hurt yourself....LOL
Why the hell even post that?
If someone is asking how to pull springs off on the forum them clearly they are inexperienced and should only be given the safest method because you can injure/kill yourself or break your property if you take a loaded spring off a strut wrong.
Dude, chill. Have you ever tried it? I did this when I was 16 and it's seriously you have a better chance of hurting yourself jacking up the car than trying to disassemble a strut this way.
