I have a prior salvage 1999 Z24 cavvy with the 5-speed. At some point it's been wrecked on the front drivers side. Since I've got it I've found it's never really been maintained, so I put in new ball joints, struts all around, front strut mounts, cv shafts, left hub assembly, front tires, and left inner tie rod, plus front alignment. Before I even began, there was an occasional loud pop when turning at slow speeds and less often when hitting a bump. It is usually on the right side but sometimes sounds like it's coming from the drivers side. I've had a couple mechanics look at it and not be able to find anything to be causing it. I've also checked the torque strut, engine mount, and trans mounts and they all seemed solid. It seems to be happening more often nowadays, almost every time I back out and then put it in gear it does it, and I'm very puzzled on this issue. Also, since I've installed these new parts, I've had some loud creaking coming from the front end. I think it's the strut mounts, even though they're new. I believe I installed them correctly but maybe I missed something? It drives well now but these noises are annoying and worrysome. Any advice?

cracked sub frame?


1994 Saturn SL2 Home Coming Edition: backup car
2002 Chevy Cavalier LS Sport Coupe: In a Junk Yard
1995 Mazda Miata R-package Class=STR
Sponsored by: Kronos Performance

WPI Class of '12 Mechanical Engineering
WPI SAE Risk and Sustainability Management Officer

Couldn't see any cracks, not to say there isn't one. I'll have a look. I found that the creaking is indeed the strut mounts, is there some sort of rubber lubricant that I can use to stop the squeaking? I don't understand why they're making noise in the first place.

Did you make sure the rubber is in place where the spring meets the strut.......could cause that noise as well

Doubt it is a cracked subframe........never seen a cracked one......only rusted out ones.....and I've been fixing cars for a living for a while.....to damn long




- 2004 Cavalier - 124k, owned since new