Suspension and steering help please.

J

jf2oo6

Member
Location
Maryland
Hey guys.

I have an 03 FX45 with 133k. I will be installing KYB struts and shocks with the stock springs soon, and wanted to ask some questions first.

1. I know the strut bearings up front should be changed also, but are there any other parts I should change while doing the struts? Do I need to change the mounts or bellows as well?

2. I get a lot of clunk and thumping noise when going over bumps. This happens at most speeds. I'm assuming bad struts could be contributing to this issue, but I have also been reading that the stabilizer links could cause this as well so I plan to change them too. If the car is stopped and I turn the wheel I can also get a thump sound at a certain point. Will the links take care of this also, or is there something else I should look into?

3. I have a problem with the car pulling to the left. When I drive I have to keep the steering wheel slightly turned to the right to compensate for this. I had an alignment done, but it didn't really help. Is there something else I could look into to correct this problem?


Thanks in advance guys. I am just trying to get everything straight before I start ordering parts.
 
With 133K miles and if this is the first time replacing struts and shocks. You're way over due. Strut bearings is highly recommended even if they're ok when you take it apart. They can go anytime and it will be another premature labor to replace it. As for the bellow and the rubber bump stops, if they not torn or cracks there is no need to replace them.

For the clunk noise, it can be a multiple of things from the dried up ball joints on the stabilizer links, the ball joint on the lower control arm or the outer tie rod ends. It can also be the rubber mounts on the stablizer itself. Jack up the front end and rock the tire side to side to check for any plays. If there's play, look for light movements at the ball joints or the stablizer bar. Have some rock it and put your hand one of theses parts to feel if there movement.

The noise can also come from the lower steering link shaft. The part that connects the rack-n-pinion and the steering column. Again, check for play.


If the alignment is proper, then the alignment shop did not level the steering wheel when they put the car on rack. I always remind them to do that.
How are your tires? If they're unevenly worn, that cause the pulling too.
 
I just put on new tires and have replaced the struts, strut mounts and bearings, outer tie rod ends and still knock/clunk is there. I'm at 140K so it was time anyway on all of that. I've seen many a thread on this issue and still no definitive "this is most common failure" post. I will look to control arm bushings next since the tire shop said my alignment was considerably out of spec--11/32" of total toe out, vs recommended 3/32" total toe in. Tires were wearing on insides of course but I still got 45K miles with them.

Question is how much movement is acceptable, I grabbed the front wheel and shook it back and forth with it jacked up and got very little movement out of the wheel. This is the normal ball joint/wheel bearing check I am familiar with and it was not clearly loose, is there a better way to check the control arms?
 
Sounds like your control arm ball joint is good. Since you have replaced all other parts that I have mentioned. The other thing you want to check is the stablizer bar mounting bushings, since its under pressure from the links to the strut tower. Visual inspections at best. If you see shiny rubber surface on the rubber bushing, that is sign of worn out bushing.

Does the clunk noise also happens when you turn the steering wheel? If so, the u-joint on the steering shaft maybe worn out.
 
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