Rattling and clanging!!??

[highpsi93tsi]

Last night I left a diner and started hearing a thump-thump-thump as I rolled along and today its a metal on metal banging comming from under the front of the car. If Iam driving it and a snap the gas I also get a snapping sound. WTF is going on? Ball joints? It does have a shimmy in the front end but I just replaced the botched d/s tie-rod end and it only fixed the problem a bit. HELP

 

[larsenracing]

It doesn't sound like ball joints. One way to check if something is loose in the front suspension is to jack each side of the car up one at a time and grab a hold of the tire and try to shake it back and forth thats a tie-rod end then take it up and down then you have a ball joint. Shaking meaning place hands on each side and pushing in and pulling out. Also does it sound like it could be coming from the engine or transmission. Good luck give us any more info that can.

 

[highpsi93tsi]

side to side is fine, I'll check balljoints asap. Whats the symptoms for cv joints in these cars?

 

[JDF_forever]

also check the rack and pinion bushings to see if they are worn, if they are it can cause your rack to move back and forth.

 

[highpsi93tsi]

Thanks! Do I just watch the rack as someone sits in the car and turns the wheel back and forth?

 

[JDF_forever]

yes watch the rack as somone turns the wheel from side to side if the rack moves back and forth then you need new bushings.