2003 Saturn Ion Noise underneath car

HEIDIANDERSON

MEMBER
2003 SATURN ION
4 CYL
FWD
AUTOMATIC
83,000 MILES

My car has been great - never given me any problems, knock on wood! Just recently, I notice when I drive I hear a sound from one side underneath the car. The sound is almost like a double sounded click/thump; especially when driving over bumps. I am willing to take my car into a shop, but just want to be prepared for the possible truth. What could be causing this sound?

3 Replies

SATURNTECH9

MECHANIC
30,869 POSTS

First off thank u so much for ur donation it really helps to keep this site going and help people with there car. If u turn left to right quickly in a parking lot at slow speed does it pop from the front end?If so u need new sway bar bushings and sway bar brackets they redesigned them the 03 and early 04 need the the brackets too. Let me know what u find and how it goes.

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Sunday, February 7th, 2010 AT 10:26 PM

HEIDIANDERSON

MEMBER
2 POSTS

I took my car to the local mechanic shop and they determiend it was the right side bushing that went bad. They did not mention any other clip or other piece - only the bushing. Is this okay to change the bushing and not the clip? I drove the car after the repair was done and it sounds better when driving - especially when turning the wheel from left to right. Although, I still hear a little bit of something when going over bumps, so I am going to just pay attention to this and if it worsens will take it back. Thanks again - you were quite helpful and correct :)

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Wednesday, February 10th, 2010 AT 2:20 PM

SATURNTECH9

MECHANIC
30,869 POSTS

First off u should have had both bushings changed. Also the reason u have to change the brackets is because the old brackets didn't hold the bushings tight enough and allowed them to move and wear down causing the popping. If u look at the old bushings there all polished from moving around in the bracket. There's a bulletine on replacing the bushings and brackets on the 03 and early vin 04 ions if u don't replace the brackets they found the same thing happens the bushings move around and wear down. Best thing to do is replace the bushings and brackets.

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Wednesday, February 10th, 2010 AT 4:03 PM