rattle/clunk front end
 

my 2002 c4s has an annoying sound like something is loose. I've asked here before but haven't gotten much help so here goes again. I just replaced the sway bar links only to have the noise reappear. It does take some driving to get the noise to appear but then it doesn't go away till the next day. My local garage, Euromotorworks, in Indianapolis, checked out the entire front end and found nothing and couldn't get it to rattle. When I left the shop I took a spirited 30 minute drive when the sound came back. I can "feel" it in the brake pedal and somewhat in the steering wheel at low speeds. Anyone have any ideas where to start my search. Car drives and runs great. Don't notice the noise/feel of the rattling of something loose unless you're going slow enough to hear it. Please advise. thanks.

I got the same thing but I didn't look into it yet. I don't feel it in my brakes or steering wheel though!

Shot in the dark here,but have you checked to see if the brake pads are the source of your noise. Maybe the vibration dampners have become unglued from the pads or are missing all together?

Check your front upper strut mounts. When going out they will make a rattling noise and a clunking that can sound like your whole supension is falling apart.

+1

I had my strut mounts replaced a few months ago and it took care of the issue. In my case, it was especially noticeable at slower speeds going over speed bumps or on bumpy roads.

+2, i heard some clunking, when i had coilovers installed, the shop showed me my upper strut mounts and the rubber was almost cracked all they way through.

Drop links are easy to check too

Searched this out recently. For me, it started out with a clunk, and then turned into a 'creaking' sound... but only after 20 minutes of driving. I swapped out the upper strut mounts, but it came back. The other likely culprit is the lower control arm.

thanks all for the advice. I'll try to touch on everyones ideas.
1 sway bar links were just replaced and they were in bad shape but didn't fix the problem
2 my garage says the strut mounts and control arms look and fee fine
3 I am narrowing down the feeling to slow speed sounds and I can feel it with my left foot on the clutch pedal and I can feel it in the steering wheel as well.
4 I will take the wheels off and look at brakes and pads. I did take off left front to inspect and didn't notice anything with caliper but I will dig deaper into the brakes.

I'll keep looking and I appreciate the suggestions. I am going to try and drive it hard one of these days then swing in and grab a mechanic so they can "hear" and feel it. Keep the suggestions coming please.

does it only creak on slow (crawl)? While slowly turning the wheel?

the creaking is the strut bearing that sits on top of the struts.... its not well designed and it just sits on top.... after awhile the grease just runs out. This is only on c4, c4s.

seems like all c4s have the same problem,

ive replaced my entire strut/spring/top plate/strut mount/droplink/swaybar bushings and still make the same noise when i turn...

i think it might be my control arms, but not sure how to check them if they are good or not

redridge, you might have just hit it on the head. I was struggling with how to describe what i was feeling. My everyday car is a jeep wrangler and I have to greese the steering wheel bearing about every 6K miles and now that you say that it is a very similar feel.

Is the bearing that you describe easily accessible for me to grease myself. I'll try to google it and see if I can find it but thought I'd ask first.

I appreciate the suggestion.

unfortunately... its not well documented. The bearing sits on top of the strut assembly. When you turn the wheel, the geometry of the wheels changes a bit and Porsche stuck a bearing on top to help with the movement. You have to drop the fwd shaft in order to have access to the top... PM Dharn55, I believe he has done/seen this type of work.

It would be great to document what you find with pics for the rest of us.... :)

I will most likely document it best I can. I emailed my garage to ask for drawings or suggestions, so I'll keep this thread posted and if i find anything real "exciting" I'll start a new one. thanks.

Thanks for all the info. I have a clunking noise that drives me crazy at low speeds. I would be willing to bet it is the strut mounts.

Incidentally, an out of adjustment hood latch can cause the hood to clunk at strange times... I still can't get mine adjusted properly. Any thoughts? I tried the hood adjustment procedure on Renntech.