OK another question for you guys. It used to be only when I got in the car in the morning and turned the wheel I would get this BOING noise from the front of the car (sounds like it'* coming from the struts). I'm guessing it has something to do with the springs on the struts? Now however, it'* whenever I turn the wheel at low speeds, it just goes BOING/POP. I've had the intermediate shaft lubed and know what that feels like and the noise that makes, and I definatley do not have that problem anymore. I got down and looked at the springs while someone was turning the wheel, and they are moving as you turn the wheel. Is this suppose to happen?? (stupid question maybe). However one seems to stick for a little bit when turning and i'm guessing this is where the BOING noise is coming from? I'm thinking the struts are gone, because the car defiantely rides bad and it corners HORRIBLY now. Any thoughts? Or any idea what new struts run or how long they should last? THANX!

UPDATE!!!! I FINALLY took it and had it fixed. I posted this a long, long time ago and the noise just kept getting worse. When the struts were taken off, the bearings were so bad they actually all fell out. The strut mounts were completly shot too. Struts were toast as well. I will be trying to get pics of the parts on here because they did save them for me at the shop. They said they've never seen them this bad and the car still working. Oh well another $800 down.

UPDATE AGAIN So everything has been good for about a week now. But today I started hearing a grinding/rubbing noise coming from the front right strut. So i put it up on the lift and the spring has expanded and slipped over the spring seat. Just great, now I have to replace the springs as well because the other side is starting to do the same thing. Anyone heard of this before?

Couple of quick questions,
Hows the steering fluid level?
Is there any kick back or vibration in the steering wheel when it goes boing?
Are the tires at the proper preasure?
With the car in park and turning the steering wheel does it make a sound?
Do you hear the same sound going over a bump?

Fluid levels were fine last time i checked them (though it'* been a while). There is not kick back or vibration in the wheel when it makes that noise. As for proper tire pressure I was told to run the Michelins @ 30psi, I had them higher and it still did it though. Yes when the car is in park and i turn the wheel i can still hear it. When I go over a bump or a speed bump I hear a groaning noise from the front end (usually only when it'* colder though), however it'* not the same BOING noise.

I have a similar "clunking" noise when turning the wheel on my 2000 SSEi. It'* been to my local shop three times, and they finally gave up and told me to take it to my dealer. They believe it is in the struts somewhere, but they can't figure out where. There are 2 service bulletins out on the car that addresses front end noise...neither one of them solved the problem.

What would be nice is to put the car on a hoist and hold the struts while someone turns the steering wheel? On the other hand it may not make a sound with no weight on the front end?
Sounds like both of you have the same problem and pausibly the struts.

Luckily I do have a lift at my dads shop! I did put it up on there, however there is no noise without the weight on the car. I'm glad to know someone else has the same noise, I was starting to think I'm the only one with this crazy problem, haven't seen any posts about it on here or Edmunds.

My tech said the same thing...coiuldn't duplicate the problem without weight on the front end. He said that he put a guy under the hood and went driving around the parking lot to isolate the noise in the left strut area, but couldn't fix it. He tried replacing several parts...nothing worked. Since I know what it will cost at a dealer, I'm going to live with the noise for awhile.

Has the handling of your car decreased at all?? I have about 62,000 on it now, and it corners like crap, and over all the ride isn't as good as it used to be, i'm still convinced it has something to do with the struts.

No, it drives just fine.

Jim

My money is on one of the strut springs or maybe a binding strut bearing; probably the spring you think you saw acting up. Of course if a strut spring is binding it would make sense that it would do it only when the spring is compressed (aka "weight on it").

Give this a try. It should do no harm. Blast some WD40 at the bottom end of the spring where it contacts its cradle. You may also be able to get to the top of the strut spring by going in through the top opening under the hood. At least that worked for my '92 Bonne.

Before the WD40 evaporates give her a try and let us know the results.