94 Saturn SC2 rattle
#1
94 Saturn SC2 rattle
Ok, I have gone through all the saturn recalls to try and find a rattle in the right front side. The rattle is only there when driving. When I had the emissions done a few weeks ago I got down on the right front floor boards. Car must be in gear and front wheels spinning for the test to be completed. There was no rattle (smooth rollers under the tires) when car is jacked up and in gear, no noise. Noise present at all speeds 1-75 mph, rolling in nuetral same thing. Steering has no effect on rattle, sounds the same.
I assume there is either a loose plastic panel that is rattling or possibly the strut is making the noise. Any thoughts?
I figure that after 160k miles it is not a gear or the part should have failed by now. The rattle is just annoying.
Thanks
Brian
I assume there is either a loose plastic panel that is rattling or possibly the strut is making the noise. Any thoughts?
I figure that after 160k miles it is not a gear or the part should have failed by now. The rattle is just annoying.
Thanks
Brian
#2
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Location: Pittsburgh,Pa
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If you have 160k on the suspension it's hard to say which component may be bad.Struts are high on the list as are sway bar links even ball joints.If it's a body panel, tapping around the area may isolate the cause.Is it worse on bumpy roads?Louder more often?May be worth having someone put it on a hoist for you.
#3
As far as I know the noise has been present since purchasing in 1994, my mom took back to saturn in Denver, CO. Mech was unable to isolate. Is the same on all roads, rougher roads are hard to tell since there is so much road noise. since the noise is not present when on the emission testing rollers (have no idea what to call them, 12" dia rollers (2)) I am guessing it has to do with the suspension. If it was a bearing I would think it has to make noise when ever in motion.
Because there is noise at very low speeds I do not think it is air flow related. bouncing the car while stopped does not produce the noise.
The oddest thing is that the noise does not speed up with speed.
its a clunk..clunk..clunk..clunk..clunk.. noise. Same rythem same beat foward or reverse, fast or slow car speed. I will need to see if it sound different on a dirt/gravel road then on pavement.
I think it may be the right strut because if the tire leaves the ground, or comes close when going over a bump (say small rail road crossing with hill before and after) the right side will BANG when strut is fully uncompressed.
Brian
Thanks for the reply davo.
Because there is noise at very low speeds I do not think it is air flow related. bouncing the car while stopped does not produce the noise.
The oddest thing is that the noise does not speed up with speed.
its a clunk..clunk..clunk..clunk..clunk.. noise. Same rythem same beat foward or reverse, fast or slow car speed. I will need to see if it sound different on a dirt/gravel road then on pavement.
I think it may be the right strut because if the tire leaves the ground, or comes close when going over a bump (say small rail road crossing with hill before and after) the right side will BANG when strut is fully uncompressed.
Brian
Thanks for the reply davo.
#4
sorry, I lied.... When I bounce the car I "can" hear the same clunk. both the left and right side struts make the same noise when bouncing the car, but the right side is louder and clunks when lightly bouncing. Left side needs harder bounce to hear.
Guess I will be replacing the struts on this car.
Brian
Guess I will be replacing the struts on this car.
Brian