1994 Toyota Corolla suspension noises

MAXCARSON

MEMBER
1994 TOYOTA COROLLA
1.8L
FWD
AUTOMATIC

I have had the struts replaced on all 4 corners and I replaced the sway bar bushings and sway bar links front and rear. I lubricated the sway bar bushings with silicone spray. The outer tie rod ends have been replaced on the front.
When in a slow speed turn, over bumps/uneven pavement, I hear a clanking in the from suspension and a clunking from the rear suspension. Should I replace the inter tire rod ends, CV joints or ball joints in the front and the strut mounts in the rear? I inspected the front wheel/tire for movement while jacked-up. No play from the 3 and 9 or 12 and 6 position. The car is 20 years old, (200,000+), and I am sure all the suspension and bushings that haven't been replaced need attention. In your experience what would be the likely suspects in these noises? I'm retired, it's a project car.
Thanks for your advise and time.

1 Reply

CARADIODOC

MECHANIC
33,916 POSTS

Don't replace anything based on a guess. That's the most expensive and least effective way to diagnose a problem. There is a tool you might be able to borrow or rent from an auto parts store that borrows them called the "Chassis Ear". It is a set of six microphones, a switch box, and headphones. You clip the microphones to suspect points, then drive around while listening with the headphones. You can move the microphones around to zero in on the source of the noise. Be aware that many mechanics have never seen or even heard of this tool. Suspension and alignment mechanics use it to find rattles, squeaks, and other noises.

I recently found this tool on Amazon for about one third the cost of what the guys on the tool trucks charge. Some were less than 70 bucks. The older version had wired microphones. There's a newer model that has four wireless microphones and two that are still wired.