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Topic: Front Suspension Rattle

in Forum: C3 Handling Components

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Front Suspension Rattle (1/9)
5/22/09 9:11pm

77 Red Corvette
Former Member
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Joined: 3/23/2008
Posts: 81

We have a general clunking noise question. When we hit bumps we hear a loud clunking rattling sound coming from the front of the car. The whole front suspension was rebuilt....IE:

Ball joints, tire rod ends, steering linkages, all control arm bushing and sway bar bushings and drive shaft U-joints have been replaced.

On smooth roads it's just fine it's just when you hit bumps.

I have a winter stored 1990 Lebaron Convertible that also makes this same noise so I'm not sure if this is just the way it's supposed to be. If not any ideas as to where to look?

Thanx.

Anni

77 red Vette

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Front Suspension Rattle (2/9)
5/22/09 9:16pm

indy99
Former Member
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Newport, MI - USA

Vette(s):
1980 L-48 still in the middle of a frame-off.

Joined: 6/9/2005
Posts: 932

Are the shocks in good condition? You may have a broken shock mount or shock absorber.

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Corvettes and women are the same...You want to make love to them but they keep breaking down.

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Front Suspension Rattle (3/9)
5/22/09 9:37pm

ebo

Lifetime Member
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Holland Patent, NY - USA

Vette(s):
#1 *1980 White, Red interior 14,000 mile #2 *1980 Red, Oyster interior 93,000 miles Resto project car, rebuilt to 383 stroker

Joined: 6/3/2008
Posts: 4421

Dennis I was thinking the same thing.

Were the shocks changed out also. So if it's only over bumps ya just got to check all the stuff that goes up and down. Can ya get it up in the air and push on the front susp. I know the little demon gave ya a hard time with the exhaust, all that hardware tight?

Let us know what you find.....I hate squeeks and rattles.....my suspension is doing the same thing (in my own body)...... Evil Smile

ebo2009-05-22 18:39:10

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LIFETIME MEMBER 151

ebo

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Front Suspension Rattle (4/9)
5/22/09 10:10pm

indy99
Former Member
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Newport, MI - USA

Vette(s):
1980 L-48 still in the middle of a frame-off.

Joined: 6/9/2005
Posts: 932

For you Ebo it's all in your mind.....

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Corvettes and women are the same...You want to make love to them but they keep breaking down.

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Front Suspension Rattle (5/9)
5/22/09 10:20pm

ebo

Dennis, I resemble that remark....Thanks dude LOL

Einstein was a little squeeky also Big smile

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ebo

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Front Suspension Rattle (6/9)
5/23/09 6:45am

Willis76

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Rockland, MA - USA

Vette(s):
76, L48, 4spd & 09, LS3, 6spd

Joined: 1/30/2003
Posts: 584

I had a similar clunk and it turned out to be one of the ball joints needed grease. Just a thought, and a simple fix, turned out to have a small tear in the boot that's still on the to do list. Shocked

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Front Suspension Rattle (7/9)
5/23/09 8:29pm

rraider1
Former Member
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Woodland, WA - USA

Vette(s):
1977 T-Top,350,Auto Black Ruby Pearl,Steeroids R&P conversion

Joined: 10/14/2003
Posts: 1165

Check the the upper aarm Bolts at each end, I had one come loose and fallout last month. I had rebuilt the front end 2 years ago they are a sone of a gun to get to

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Front Suspension Rattle (8/9)
5/23/09 8:39pm

BKVETTE
Former Member
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Calhoun City, MS - USA

Vette(s):
1977 Black T-Top

Joined: 9/24/2005
Posts: 121

Shocks could also not be tight enough.

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Front Suspension Rattle (9/9)
5/23/09 9:35pm

77 Red Corvette
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Joined: 3/23/2008
Posts: 81

We found the problem!

First of all I would like to thank everyone for there great responses. I know that I can always count on everyone for great help when needed!

We jacked the front end up on Demon and then my husband hit each tire with a sledge hammer to try to reproduce the sound. Then I got in the car and pressed the brakes and he hit the tires again and there was the noise!

Turns out the two brake caliper bolts were loose on both front wheels. So we tightened them up to specs and the noise is gone! What an easy fix for once.

Tomorrow we are going to check the rear ones just to make sure that they are tight. We are thinking that maybe we didn't tighten them down properly when we put it all together last year. We did so much it's easy to have over looked something.

I have also noticed that the squeaky belt sound is gone so I'm wondering if when the car was running the engine vibration caused the calipers to squeak making it sound like it was one of the belts. So strange.

Anyway thank you again for all your suggestions,

Anni and her Demon

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