Contour Enthusiasts Group Archives Forums General Troubleshooting steering/suspension loose noise

Here I go again. I have not got my last problems fixed yet and something new pops up.

Something in the steering/suspension systems feels loose. Particularly when turning left (drivers front wheel unloaded) small bumps in the road translate through the steering wheel to something feeling loose. To better describe it, imagine the drivers front spring being a bit too short, so that when that wheel unloads during a left turn, it fully extends, leaving an 1/8" or so gap at the mount plates to knock/rattle with bumps. I know, that is a really wierd way to describe it, but maybe it will do the job.

I'm going to crawl underneath it tomorrow. Any suggestions for what to pay extra attention to? Anyone heard/felt this before?

Thanks,
Dave

I know exactly what you are talking about. I have noticed this a few times on mine, only when I turn right. It doesn't do it all the time though. I think you described the sound in a good way; it sounds like something is loose and clunking around. It seems to only do it on my car though when the weather is warm. It was there before I hit a pothole and vitrually had to have the whole front pass side suspension components replaced, including the strut. After all of that, it is still there. I don't know what it is either. Oh, and I only notice it when I turn going at a good clip onto my road...

Turn the wheel slightly right and reach behind the left wheel and push/pull on the sway bar link to make sure it's tight. Also push/pull on the sway bar. If it moves, the sway bar bushing stops are worn. Unweight the left wheel to check the suspension for any play in the wheel bearing, lower ball joint or the control are bushings.

I agree, check your sway bar and the sway bar link. Mine can be moved by pushing on it, guess I'll need to get that fixed, but so much to do, so little time...

Thanks for the replies.

So with the wheel on the ground, I should not feel any play in the sway bar link, right?

I'm going out right now to look at it, and I'll check that first before I jack it up to look underneath.

Thanks again,
Dave

Well the sway bar link feels tight both loaded ane unloaded. Just the slight movement necessary to allow motion during suspension travel. (Not the best language but you get the idea.)

Nothing looks obvoiusly loose, worn or broken. I'm going into work now, perhaps I'll get some clues driving it around tonight.

Anyone else have any thoughts?
Thanks again,
Dave