Strut Tower Noises

[gsxbro13]

hey guys, I recently got my 98 gsx eclipse and when i bought the car there was a popping sound coming from the front end. It only happened when you turned hard around or if you pull into a bump going to a driveway or something like that. I thought it may just be a strut in the front so i replaced those and still happens. There was a tiny bit of rust on the seem of the front side of the strut mount so i thought id bring it to get looked at by a body shop. They had to weld what they called was the "upper control arm assembly frame" and they said there was minor rust down there. So i thought that would of fixed it but it still happens.

So what i am curious about is what else could be making that noise. The rust really isnt bad compared to what i see all over the internet. It pretty much is just a inch wide and 4 inchs long on the front seam however i cant see through it or anything. It all is still together.

So anything you guys may think it is will be helpful. Thanks in advance!

 

[ronnievermilion]

If it is making noise when you are turning then I would think it is wheel bearing starting to fail or CV shaft is getting worn out or a combination of both.

 

[Joethefallen23]

It could be the upper control arm mounting point rotted out. Happened to me. Similar knocking especially over bumps. Welded it right up.

 

[5150DSM]

Having any memory steer issues? I would say your dealing with bad strut mounts. My guess is you changed the struts but re-used the old mounts which were the original problem.

 

[gsxbro13]

Nah its all new strut mounts.. And i had the up control arm welded and it didnt fix it either... Could be the bearings but it does it on bumps to not just hard turns.. More less when i pull into a driveway thats not level or some like a pot hole

Also i forgot to mention that just recently there is starting to be a sqweaking noise... Not sure whats causing that either... But thanks for all the ideas just keep them coming.. Anything helps.

 

[blackeagle92]

Did you try checking sway bar links and bushings?

 

[5150DSM]

Could be sway bar links. What type of mounts did you use? In my shop we have stopped using Monroe and the Napa/O'reilly house brands because it was always a 50-50 shot as to whether they were going to make noise out of the box. Now we only use KYB and OEM.

 

[gsxbro13]

Well i brought my car to a place called "car care center" they have dont reputable work hwoever doesnt mean they didnt use bad mounts. And i new checked the sway bar links but when i first brought my car to the mechanics they said my control arm needed to be welded to stop noise. But when i got it welded it still made the sounds. Maybe ill just bring it back to the mechanic to see what it could be. Thanks for all the post guys.

 

[TopGun8818]

I have that same issue, I was told by Wheel Works the noise is coming from the upper control arm. They believe it's the bushing there or the ball joint one. I plan to get a kit from Energy suspension to replace them. They're like $30 or so per side, I'm sure putting them on is gonna be pricey though

 

[97ClipseGSX]

It sounds like it could be anything from control arms all the way to the CV. I had the same popping in my back end and found out the whole upper strut mount was rusted out.

 

[97awd-turbo]

hey guys, well its been almost a whole year, since the last post but now I'm having the same issue except i know for sure its the upper control arm mount have very little rust on it and not holding it in place (passenger farthest front side). its not moving too much but up and down about 1 to 2 cm? My question for whoevers had it fixed, does it hold up good again after being welded? and I'm guessing that's the cheapest route to go? Thanks a bunch, i didn't know what the prob was until i put on new rims yesterday.....any replies with past problems will help cause I'm starting to worry !!!

 

[spydergst1997]

I had a problem with my 2g like this and I did the same you did changed the struts and still had the problem it ended up being the lower curved control arm that was bad on mine that is just a idea from you to check