Is That My Suspension Making Noises?

[sm02]

Hey all. I just discovered this forum the other day, and I have been reading like crazy! I'm finding it irresistable to post questions about the little things I would like to fix or get advice on with my car. In my quest to restore my car to original youthfulness, I only have one question about suspension.

One year ago, she finally started showing her age. Besides the creepy electric problems getting worse, I started hearing this kind of embarrassing sound coming from the front driver's side area. Not like the pop pop pop pop you hear when you turn the wheel really hard. The noise it started making would happen when someone gets in, or when I turned on even the softest curves in the road! Or even if you get out if the car and push down on the front driver's side over the wheel enough to sway the car slightly. It's like a creaking bed if you do it softly, or like a loud cracking fart when you turn a curve slowly. Yeah, like sickening I know! It echos off the damn trees!! And on a fast curve, it's like "cack cack cack cack ". I have opened the window to hear how loud it actually is. Going down a bumpy driveway sounds more like "squeaky squeaky squeaky squeaky".

Like all of the other weird stuff that has been going on with the car (I've posted in the electric area of the forum for the details on that stuff), the cracking, creaking, bathroom sounds that come out of my car only happen SOMETIMES! SOMETIMES it makes the noise and OTHER TIMES it doesn't. I've tried to keep track of it to see if the weather has any affect on it. Nope. It just happens when it wants to. Each time I drive down a bumpy driveway or turning along a road somewhere, I wonder if it's going to embarrass me in front of people, or if it will behave itself. It's ummm, not cool when you're just enjoying your stereo and riding along and suddenly your car cacks and draws the attention of the neighborhood!!!!!

Another detail. I don't feel it in the steering wheel when it happens. It's not a vibration that I can detect.

Ok, is it the suspension? Or should I suspect the frame itself??? Has anyone had this happen to them?

[Calesta]

Welcome to the site! Posting questions is a good thing. Don't hold back.

Your clunking definitely sounds like suspension. I would suspect either dead shocks or worn bushings.

[sm02]

I had the bushings checked. Was told there was nothing wrong. How are dead shocks fixed? Expensive?

[Calesta]

You just replace them- and it can cost you anywhere from $150 for a set to as high as you want to go.

[97-ferio]

are you still running the original factory suspension, or is it an aftermarket one?

[sm02]

Hi, I have come back to mention that the front right side is doing it too as of recently. I'm pretty sure they are factory, but my uncle was the previous owner (for the 1st 12 years). I'm almost positive that nothing has ever been changed/replaced on the car.

I will bring it in to have the front 2 replaced. I didn't know it would be that affordable to do, but that's great news!

Thanks for all of your advice, and if you have any recommendations of what kind/brand I should opt for, that would be great too!

Take care!

[Calesta]

Energy Suspension is the company that most people go with. I've used them on multiple occasions, and I've always been more than happy.