Guess I'll try and ask

[msb7144]

OK so I have a noise issue and cant pinpoint it so I'll ask everyone here. When quickly turning L to R I have a grinding sound, the harder you turn the worse it sounds. I don't see anything loose and I cant figure it out. I'm thinking rack and pinion may be going. I also have a noise going over bumps on the pass side, again nothing loose and there I'm thinking struts on that...............anyone have any guesses or similar issues?

[Napalm]

sight unseen.

I'd look at your strut mounts - and the support bearing below them. some come as a kit.

but that grind is indicative of a bearing that is dry. mine sounded like that before replacements.

[msb7144]

I know asking is a long shot but I am out of ideas. The top strut bushings are only about 1.5-2 years old so I would think those are ok as far as a lower bearing, I'm not 100% what you are referring to.

[travis gore]

http://forum.grrrr8.net/showthread.php?t=40506
http://forum.grrrr8.net/showthread.php?t=30313

you can check these 2 threads.

[msb7144]

Strut bushings look ok to me (but I could be wrong), they are whiteline and not very old.

http://i198.photobucket.com/albums/aa222/msb7144/G8/IMAG0604_zpsiey65dn1.jpg (http://s198.photobucket.com/user/msb7144/media/G8/IMAG0604_zpsiey65dn1.jpg.html)

http://i198.photobucket.com/albums/aa222/msb7144/G8/IMAG0602_zpskcbjwzt6.jpg (http://s198.photobucket.com/user/msb7144/media/G8/IMAG0602_zpskcbjwzt6.jpg.html)

[Zodiac]

I'd consider your sway bar end links.

I had a similar issue and replacing them worked like a charm.

[msb7144]

If the sway bar end links were bad how would you be able to tell? Loose, damaged, etc or could they "look" ok and tight are actually be trashed internally? I know there's not much internally on an end link.

[SRG963]

I don't think a grinding sound would come from the end-links, I could be wrong...

It could be the bearings under the mounts as suggested above. I had one fall apart in hand during install....I luckly had 2 pairs on hand.

[Eidolon]

If the sway bar end links were bad how would you be able to tell? Loose, damaged, etc or could they "look" ok and tight are actually be trashed internally? I know there's not much internally on an end link.
Yeah, you may not be able to tell externally if your end links are bad. Easiest way to eliminate them is simply to remove one or both entirely, then go for a drive over the road that usually causes the noise. If it stops... Well, there's your issue. It's either your end links or sway bar mounts.

If it keeps up, it's possible your strut bearings are bad even though your bushings are good, as a few people have pointed out.

[Napalm]

+1 if you questions your endlinks - remove them and drive the car. it will wallow a good bit more because your sways aren't connected - but you remove any potential noised due to links or the sway bar and brackets. perfectly safe to do.


on the bearing - if you didn't replace the bearing when you put on your poly mounts 2 years ago - you might have gotten some dirt or other nast in there to eat those bearing. they are noting more than 2 pieces of nylon platic (or delrin) with a groove holding a set of carbide steel balls - small balls. they sit in a recess under the mount but between the strut cap. thus allowing the strut body to rotate freely around the strut shaft without binding on the chassis.

they turn everytime you turn your wheel and they do so with the weight of the car on them. normally they should be checked for condition when you replace your mounts - but I oft suggest bearing replacement just so you don't have to think about it again.

another issue - some times people don't get that top strut nut tight enough and that bit of play allows the bearings to slip groves or worse crack - because it's not fully trapped.


so might also check the tight ness of your top nuts.

[msb7144]

Ok so in theory if the bearings are bad I assume I would hear the same "grinding" if the wheels were off the ground and I turn from side to side, correct? I know they wont be under the same weight.

Update: I removed the front sway bar links and it made no difference, although I couldn't go to quick since something was scraping the ground over bumps, however I don't think that is it. The grinding noise may very well be the bearings, I don't remember if we changed them or not.....I'm thinking not but I am not 100%.

[Napalm]

not all mount kits come with new bearing - and since they oft are sold seperately people don't pay the extra.

Again though - I'm shooting on the internet - sight unseen and noise unheard.

[msb7144]

not all mount kits come with new bearing - and since they oft are sold seperately people don't pay the extra.

Again though - I'm shooting on the internet - sight unseen and noise unheard.

Trust me I know what you mean, I can hear it and still cant find it, lol. I need to try and undo the rear end links just to make sure......all I know 100% is its 2 noises on the pass side, that's all.