Major rattles from front suspension

Kisner · 07-28-2003, 12:42 PM

I know I won't know for sure until I have a shop inspect it but maybe someone can give me some clues as to what might be causing this.

Have a 68 coupe and when driving on a good road it drives and rides like a brand new car. Had a front-end alignment a few months ago, tires and wheels balanced, all new shocks, and all new tires. Everything steers perfect. However, when I hit a bump in the road I have a major rattle coming from somewhere up front low to the ground. Sounds like a bunch of stuff is lose. I've visually inspected everything and everything appears to be hooked up correctly and tight. I have no clue where it could be coming from and am not much of a mechanic. Doesn't sound like it's coming from the wheels but could be. Sounds more like underneath towards the middle. Could it be worn/damaged bushings, ball joints, wheel bearings, or what? Thanks.

mustangII460 · 07-28-2003, 10:00 PM

Just lump down some cash for a front end rebuild kit. Its been awhile but PST (In most mags) sells kits for everything. These kits use polygraphite bushings. Lower arm bushings have some deflection but alot less than stock rubber, plus they self lube.

My last kit I bought, @ 1995. Was about $500.00. But, that had Remanufactured uppers, lowers and bushings, ball joints, tie rods, sway bar bushings, and radius arm bushings.

Im sure you could re-use your arms. Box the lowers when you have them off, they tend to flex alot.

Changing all of this is minor mechanical stuff. Just time.

A rattle could be exhaust. Is the steering rattling? Or just hear it?

Kisner · 07-29-2003, 11:45 AM

No, it's definitely not the exhaust rattling. Already had that fixed. Steering wheel/column doesn't rattle or vibrate at all. Definitely sounds like all the suspension parts. Until I get the money for the rebuild kit, aside from the annoying rattles, are there any safety issues I should be concerned about. In other words, is it safe to drive for a while. Just don't want anything to break loose on me. Finally, if the wheel bearings are adjusted too loose, would it make a rattling sound when I hit a bump? Thanks for the info.

mustangII460 · 07-29-2003, 04:54 PM

Jack your front end up and put it on stands under the frame. Take a 2x4 and pry under the wheel, looking for ball joint wear and control arm bushing movment. Have someone turn wheel and inspect tie rods for looseness/ rock the wheel back and forth and checking the steering box/idler arm for play. Also grab your tire at 12 O'clock and 6 O'clock, checking for wheel bearings loose.

Hope this helps.

Frank

Kisner · 07-30-2003, 08:36 AM

Thanks - will try all that this weekend.

07-28-2003, 12:42 PM	#1
Kisner Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2000 Posts: 290	Major rattles from front suspension I know I won't know for sure until I have a shop inspect it but maybe someone can give me some clues as to what might be causing this. Have a 68 coupe and when driving on a good road it drives and rides like a brand new car. Had a front-end alignment a few months ago, tires and wheels balanced, all new shocks, and all new tires. Everything steers perfect. However, when I hit a bump in the road I have a major rattle coming from somewhere up front low to the ground. Sounds like a bunch of stuff is lose. I've visually inspected everything and everything appears to be hooked up correctly and tight. I have no clue where it could be coming from and am not much of a mechanic. Doesn't sound like it's coming from the wheels but could be. Sounds more like underneath towards the middle. Could it be worn/damaged bushings, ball joints, wheel bearings, or what? Thanks.

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07-28-2003, 10:00 PM	#2
mustangII460 Factoy Five Roadster Join Date: May 2000 Location: Sevier Co,Tennessee Posts: 1,681	Just lump down some cash for a front end rebuild kit. Its been awhile but PST (In most mags) sells kits for everything. These kits use polygraphite bushings. Lower arm bushings have some deflection but alot less than stock rubber, plus they self lube. My last kit I bought, @ 1995. Was about $500.00. But, that had Remanufactured uppers, lowers and bushings, ball joints, tie rods, sway bar bushings, and radius arm bushings. Im sure you could re-use your arms. Box the lowers when you have them off, they tend to flex alot. Changing all of this is minor mechanical stuff. Just time. A rattle could be exhaust. Is the steering rattling? Or just hear it?

07-29-2003, 11:45 AM	#3
Kisner Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2000 Posts: 290	No, it's definitely not the exhaust rattling. Already had that fixed. Steering wheel/column doesn't rattle or vibrate at all. Definitely sounds like all the suspension parts. Until I get the money for the rebuild kit, aside from the annoying rattles, are there any safety issues I should be concerned about. In other words, is it safe to drive for a while. Just don't want anything to break loose on me. Finally, if the wheel bearings are adjusted too loose, would it make a rattling sound when I hit a bump? Thanks for the info.

07-29-2003, 04:54 PM	#4
mustangII460 Factoy Five Roadster Join Date: May 2000 Location: Sevier Co,Tennessee Posts: 1,681	Jack your front end up and put it on stands under the frame. Take a 2x4 and pry under the wheel, looking for ball joint wear and control arm bushing movment. Have someone turn wheel and inspect tie rods for looseness/ rock the wheel back and forth and checking the steering box/idler arm for play. Also grab your tire at 12 O'clock and 6 O'clock, checking for wheel bearings loose. Hope this helps. Frank

07-30-2003, 08:36 AM	#5
Kisner Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2000 Posts: 290	Thanks - will try all that this weekend.