Front suspension popping/snapping

[moffetts]

The saga continues with this car. After a recent track day, I noticed this popping/snapping sound when going over any sort of uneven pavement at speeds less than 35ish MPH. At higher speeds and on smooth/flat pavement, no noise. I am 99% sure it is coming from the passenger front (front for sure) because I intentionally hit bumps with one side or another and it seems to follow the passenger side. Sometimes, I can reproduce the noise (albeit quieter) by turning the wheel full lock in each direction at a stop, but I think whether or not I can reproduce the noise is dependent on how the suspension is loaded when the car is stopped. I put the car up on a lift and replaced the sway bar end links and that did not change anything. Everything appears to be tight but I was not able to check the strut mount and upper seat because I didn't have the tools or desire to take the strut apart. I'm on stock PP struts/sways with SP763 springs.

I bought new strut mounts and upper seats but I am curious if there's anything else I should have the mechanic look for.

Thanks!

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[NightmareMoon]

Just check the top strut nut, which can be tightened without disassembling the strut. Thats what this sounds like at first glance.

 

[moffetts]

It is pretty tight, but I’m not sure of the torque spec or if I am rotating the strut rod when I try to tighten it.

 

[zxd9]

I had to replace my passenger front control arm tension link due to a bad bushing that caused a click when turning at slow speed.

 

[NightmareMoon]

It is pretty tight, but I’m not sure of the torque spec or if I am rotating the strut rod when I try to tighten it.

An offset wrench (harbor freight has them) should allow you to get a socket on the top of the strut, although at least its not too loose. Torque spec wont be super high, so dont strip the strut top.

 

[moffetts]

They are torqued to at least 110 ft lbs right now per my torque wrench, which is probably more than enough.

 

[BmacIL]

They are torqued to at least 110 ft lbs right now per my torque wrench, which is probably more than enough.

That's over the torque spec of 76 ft-lb.

 

[moffetts]

It looks like the noise is actually coming from the PP cowl brace. When I push on it basically right behind the blower, it creaks.

 

[moffetts]

Yep, that was the issue. I removed all 5 of the 13mm cowl brace bolts and retorqued. No more noise.

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