Rattle from front suspension

[MINIdriver85]

So, lately I've been hearing a distinct rattle from the left side of the front suspension, and I have no idea what it might be. Or, better, I have an idea but I dunno if that's possible. I was thinking maybe the wishbone bushing was shot? But I feel no difference in the car's handling and I know I should feel it if it were the bushing, right?

Also, since I had to change the clutch this summer while I was away, I was thinking if maybe the mechanic who did the job didn't tighten everything properly and something has come loose? The noise started not long after the job was done, too bad I wasn't there anymore otherwise I would have brought it back to make him check it...

[MINIdriver85]

I have to add that this sound is heard when going over bumps

[Chase]

I have a noise coming from my right side. and rattle noise that i assume is the psrs, but i never associated it with the clutch, flywheel, lsd swap. i wonder if it has any involvement

[DanSeals]

Does the noise go away when you press the brake pedal just enough to press the brake pads against the rotors. Sometimes pads will rattle in the caliper when going over bumps.

my 2 cents.

[xsmini]

Is your car lowered? If so check the nut on top of the strut. I know of some that were not quite as tight as they should be and had the same symptoms you described.

Nik

[MINIdriver85]

Originally Posted by Chase

I have a noise coming from my right side. and rattle noise that i assume is the psrs, but i never associated it with the clutch, flywheel, lsd swap. i wonder if it has any involvement

Well I only associated it with the clutch replacement because it started after I did that, not immediately but soon enough to let me think the two might be related.

Originally Posted by DanSeals

Does the noise go away when you press the brake pedal just enough to press the brake pads against the rotors. Sometimes pads will rattle in the caliper when going over bumps.

my 2 cents.

Thanks for the suggestion, I will try that and see if that's the case

Originally Posted by xsmini

Is your car lowered? If so check the nut on top of the strut. I know of some that were not quite as tight as they should be and had the same symptoms you described.

Nik

Thanks to you too, yes, my car is lowered, I have Eibach springs and JCW shocks, but I fit them over two years ago, maybe the nut got loose? I will check that.

Reading some similar topics here I also realized I need to check the cv and ball joints to see if they are ok and the sway bar endlinks to see if they are tight, hopefully this afternoon I'll find the time to jack the car up and take a look

[MINIdriver85]

Ok, so...I didn't have a lot of time but I did take a look. The CV and ball joint seem to be ok, at least at first sight I couldn't find anything wrong with them, does anyone know what kind of tests I should do on them to see if they are still fine?

The wheel bolts are tight (just to be sure I checked them ) and the endlink seems to be tight too, shaking it I couldn't make it move at all. The top strut nut is still a suspect, I am not sure I've understood which one it is...

[xsmini]

Lets see if I can explain. Ok - under the hood there are three nuts that hold the strut to the car just above each shock. Usually where a brace or stiffing plate would be attached. In the center of those three smaller nuts there is a cover (usually) covering the nut that I am talking about. This is the one I've seen loose in the past.

Poor description, but I tried

Nik

[MINIdriver85]

Originally Posted by xsmini

Lets see if I can explain. Ok - under the hood there are three nuts that hold the strut to the car just above each shock. Usually where a brace or stiffing plate would be attached. In the center of those three smaller nuts there is a cover (usually) covering the nut that I am talking about. This is the one I've seen loose in the past.

Poor description, but I tried

Nik

Oh, ok then, it's the one I thought. Problem is, I have the Ireland adjustable camber plates and they sit on top of that nut, so I can't access it to check if it is tight without removing the whole shock and take the plate off. At least, that's how it seemed to be, but I'll check it more carefully.

[PinesMini]

any update? I have a rattle when I go over speed bumps

[MINIdriver85]

Well, my mechanic checked the car and said it was the nut on the top of the shock that was loose and he tightened it, the car was almost fine (but still with a very slight rattle in some situations) for barely a week before the noise progressively came back, so I guess either the nut is ruined, or the threads on either the camber plate or the shock are, or my mech was wrong.

So basically I still haven't solved the issue. I have a set of KW V1 and new camber plates to install and I've contacted a specialized shop for that, hopefully they will be able to solve the problem when doing this install. I will update when the job's done.

[PinesMini]

Thanks again.. Look forward to updates..

[cmbtmini]

Dude, can you keep us updated on this as some of us might eventually have the same problem as our cars get older. Thanks.

[craig2009]

Originally Posted by xsmini

Is your car lowered? If so check the nut on top of the strut. I know of some that were not quite as tight as they should be and had the same symptoms you described.

Nik

Hi all!
I've just visited this forum. Happy to get acquainted with you. Thanks.

[Dan00Hawk]

I'm experiencing something similar with the noise on bumps. Found out it was my outer ball-joint when I was putting on the snowtires today. With the car in the air, grab the tire and try to move it to the left and right to see how much play there is. Mine felt very loose and shaky, and sure enough, it's the ball joint.

[MINIdriver85]

Thanks for the suggestion, my mech already did that test and didn't think the ball joint was shot, I guess with it being his job he should be able to realize if it was, but I might re-do the test myself to see what I think of it, maybe try another mech...