Canthook

Hey folks, I recently bought my Formula and have been loving it!

However, in the last few weeks I've started hearing a ringing sound in the front end whenever I hit even the smallest bump in the road. I haven't been able to find a similar issue here on Thirdgen or anywhere else. It sounds as if there is a loose bolt and a washer is jingling around. Almost the same sound as change in your pocket. The car's suspension is completely stock.

I took the wheels off and checked everything I could think of in the steering/suspension and it all seemed tight. I also replaced the sway bar links because that's what seemed most obvious to me although it didn't solve the problem. I bolted the sway bar links on without any weight on the suspension so the sway bar was sagging down. Could the sway bar links "go slack" with the weight back on the suspension? That's my best guess right now. Any help would be appreciated!

855speed

You most likely have something loose under the front. Check all cooler lines etc. Check all your steering and suspension again and make sure everything is properly torqued.
My Saab 95 did the same thing, it was the air cleaner assy in the bumper making a horrible noise going over small bumps. My AC line did the same. Used plastic zip ties and all the noises are gone.

sofakingdom

iTrader: (1)

If it sounds like coins jingling in your pocket, it's sway bar end links.

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/ENS-9-8117G/

Measure the bar diameter at the bushings so you can get the right ones, and change those out at the same time.

Canthook

That was my thought too but I just replaced them 40 miles ago and the sound is still there.

I think I'm gonna take the wheels off and set the car down on the A arms on blocks and try to tighten the sway bar links.

Canthook

I tried tightening the new links with the full weight on the suspension but everything was tight. There's no way the sound is coming from there.
It must be a really small part (like a washer on a very loose bolt) to make that kind of ringing sound. If anyone has any other ideas let me know.

blunierdr

I have an 87 GTA that makes a slight rattling noise when I hit bumps as well. Honestly, I haven't looked into it at all at this point since I am going to be putting in weight jacks, shocks & struts, camber/caster plates, lca's ect. on my car as soon as they come in the mail. I figured I would check for any loose bolts, nuts, brackets or anything like that while I was in the process of rebuilding it all. If I find anything that stands out I will let you know.

I hope you find what is making the noise, I know how annoying/frustrating phantom rattles can be!

DBLTKE

iTrader: (1)

Your flexible brake lines are clipped into a bracket on the struts. If the clip is missing it will rattle.

Canthook

It's been awhile and have finally figured out what was causing the ringing in the front end. Turns out it was the front wheel bearing. I've never heard a wheel bearing make a noise like that before and therefore never thought to check it. I found it by having the car up on a hoist and hitting the bottom of the tire with a sledge hammer to simulate the shock of hitting a bump on the road. Could hear that it was right at the spindle. Bearing didn't have a whole lot of play but there was some. Replaced inner and outer bearings with new and sound was immediately gone.

Alice89

iTrader: (6)

Cool. Thanks for coming back and posting your fix; most threads never have a conclusion like this... It helps others in the long run when they do a search.

ryoken31

Congrats on tracking down the problem! I had been reading this thread trying to figure out a similar problem on my 85 sport coupe and wanted to mention what I found as well. Like the OP I had a rattling/ringing sound when hitting bumps. I tried a new ball joint, tie-rod end and struts before checking my calipers and finding out the bushings for the mounting bolts had rotted out. Stuck some pieces of rubber in there and no more rattling. Looked up the bushings online and they're $3. I found the test mentioned above helped, I jacked up the car leaving the suspension slack and hit the tire with the blunt side of an Axe to simulate a bump.