Since Ive bought my 97 its had a "loose metal part" sound that occasionally comes in the right front area. Its mainly on chopped up roads. I checked the sway bar end link and it was tight and bushing looked good, had tie rods greased and finally installed brand new struts. Even with new struts and everything being taken apart and re tightened in the process I still get the noise. is there an issue maybe you all have dealed with similar to this that maybe you could point me to? Also, is it nercessary to remove the motor mount to change the serpentine belt? thank you for your help. - chris

I am very sorry to hear about your expensive non-repair. That just sucks, doesn't it? Did the repair facility recommend the strut to cure the noise? I doubt that your '97 had enough miles to warrant new struts. If they "steered" you in that direction, what is there excuse for not fixing the problem? I would be back in their faces in a heartbeat for a false diagnosis. What did they tell you, specifically?

The noise you described did sound like struts though. Wheel bearings usually make an irritating whirring noise or rumbling noise when running. If the bearings were really shot I'm certain you would hear noise on smooth roads as well. You said you had the tie rods greased, but how did you test them?

This "loose metal part" noise. Heavy metal or tinny sounding? Can you duplicate the noise with the tires off the ground? Can you hear any diff when turning right or left. Have you checked the rack end play? What do your motor mounts look like?

could be if tinny sound the guard under catalitic converter

On mine it turned out to be the sway bar links. It was a cheap solution. It didn't seem like anything was wrong by inspecting them. I had a clunk driving slowly over uneven surfaces.

sounds like tie rods... jack up that side of the car and try to push back and forth on the wheel. if you have some slight resistful movement that'* ok (you might notice the steering wheel trying to move too) but if you get a distinct 'clunk' i would remove the wheel and try the same thing using the rotors to see if you can see play in the tie rod end.

usually a cheap fix.


edit: this can also be used to find bad wheel bearings but you should hear those when they go.

Had a similiar sound in one of my other rides...ended up being a partially shattered CV gear...just bouncing around for time to time...

Try driving around in a circle...and listen for the culprit...first clock-wise..then Counter-clock wise...

I just developed the same sound yesterday. Sort of a tinny metal clang. It seems to happen when I am stopped at an intersection while in gear. it is usually very brief like a loose part brushing something else and making a tinny rattle. I can't always seem to reproduce it. If I turm my wheel quickly to the right while stopped sometimes I can get it to happen. I just sunk $300 into her last week....tensioner pulley and arm and belt.

Help.

I fyou get the ringy dingy noises, check what Fuddy suggest first. Check your Stabilizer bar endlinks. If the washers on the bushings are loose, that'* your noise. You can check these without getting under the car.

Turn the wheel all the way to the right, and check the driver'* side. All the way to the left, and check the passenger side. This is a 40 dollar fix in your driveway. You only need a couple basic tools.

I was thinking lower control arm bushings, or ball joint as potential faults. You seldom ever hear of the control arm bushings wearing out anymore though.