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Suspension noise

Tiny
LISAMC72
  • MEMBER
  • 2009 BUICK ENCLAVE
  • 6 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 90,600 MILES
After replacing struts, motor mounts, tires, control arms with bushing and sway bar links, I still hear knocking noise front passenger side going over bumps
Sunday, September 9th, 2018 AT 3:22 PM

28 Replies

Tiny
DANNY L
  • MECHANIC
  • 5,648 POSTS
Hello, I am Danny.

It is kind of hard to diagnose sounds without seeing/hearing. Is there a chance you might be able to have someone make a video with a phone while you are driving and upload it here? I have attached a tutorial for you to look at. Hope this helps and hope to hear from you soon. Thanks for using 2CarPros.
Danny-

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/whirring-sound
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Sunday, September 9th, 2018 AT 7:04 PM
Tiny
LISAMC72
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Thanks for replying and the link you sent Danny L. The noise is a knock or clunking coming from the front end when going over bumps. Sounds like something in suspension is loose, but most of that has been changed out just last week. I will try and post a video.
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Monday, September 10th, 2018 AT 4:21 AM
Tiny
DANNY L
  • MECHANIC
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Hello again.

Okay, that would help. Hope to hear back from you soon and thanks again for using 2CarPros.
Danny-
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Monday, September 10th, 2018 AT 11:59 AM
Tiny
LISAMC72
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Hi Danny L, I cannot seem to get a good video to produce the sound. Given all the parts I said were already replaced do you have any possible causes for the clunk/knocking in front end?
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Tuesday, September 11th, 2018 AT 5:22 AM
Tiny
STEVE W.
  • MECHANIC
  • 13,560 POSTS
You replaced the struts, did that include the strut bearings as well? Do you hear the clunk if you turn left-right or only while hitting bumps? If you are stopped can you make it clunk by bouncing the front end?
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Friday, September 14th, 2018 AT 6:27 PM
Tiny
LISAMC72
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  • 14 POSTS
Hi Steve W, I brought the vehicle in a year ago because I was hearing the clunk/knock noise going over bumps primarily in front right side and thought they replaced both struts and full assembly. I found out they only replaced Rt/Sd strut and mount. I started hearing the noise again a few months ago and brought it back in and once again they replaced the same thing, but it was under. Noise came back after few weeks so they inspected and said nothing wrong with strut or anything else they could see so I went for a second opinion and they replaced everything in suspension except strut and assembly and after $1,450.00 still have noise! He offered to replace it with a Quick Strut and cut me a deal but I am not convinced that is where the noise is coming from since neither mechanic is sure that is the problem. I do not have any more money to throw at guesses.
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Saturday, September 15th, 2018 AT 7:54 AM
Tiny
STEVE W.
  • MECHANIC
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See if any of the shops near you has a chassis ear. It is a simple amplifier and piezo sensor set up that you connect to various parts then listen for the noise. You move them around until you center on the item making the noise. If you are driving along and hear the noise, does it change if you step lightly on the brakes? How about if the wheel is slightly turned?
Can you make it clunk if you steer back and forth to rock the car while moving slow?
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Saturday, September 15th, 2018 AT 10:02 AM
Tiny
LISAMC72
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I can hear it when turning if going over a bump while turning but it does not seem to make the noise steering back and forth to rock the vehicle. Thanks for the advice so far and I will have to call around. Would a bad strut, strut mount, strut bearing cause a knocking sound? I have noticed it is not as present since all the other suspension parts were replaced.
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Saturday, September 15th, 2018 AT 2:26 PM
Tiny
DANNY L
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Hello again.

Yes, those things could possibly cause that sound. If the upper strut mount is not properly seated when installed to the new strut assembly it makes all kind of knocking sounds. I had that happen on a Scion. Too bad you could not upload a video making the sound. Best way to determine is putting vehicle on a hoist and get underneath and inspect/manipulate to hear the sound. Hope this helps and thanks again for using 2CarPros.
Danny-
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Saturday, September 15th, 2018 AT 5:17 PM
Tiny
LISAMC72
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Thanks Danny, are there any other possible causes for the knocking noise besides worn or loose suspension parts? I drove over several speed bumps today and not a sound but if that right side tire makes the first contact with the bump or dip in the road you hear it and can even feel it.
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Saturday, September 15th, 2018 AT 6:10 PM
Tiny
DANNY L
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Hello again.

Worn/loose/defective suspension component(s) is really all it can be. It would be best to have it inspected to be able to tell where the sound is coming from. Hope this helps and thanks again for using 2CarPros. Let us know what the shop/mechanic finds.
Danny-
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Saturday, September 15th, 2018 AT 6:32 PM
Tiny
LISAMC72
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  • 14 POSTS
Thanks, should I replace the right strut with a Quick Strut and is it true you have to replace both struts if you are doing one?
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Saturday, September 15th, 2018 AT 8:27 PM
Tiny
DANNY L
  • MECHANIC
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Hello again.

Is Quick Strut a Brand name? Yes, It is always suggested to replace struts as a pair. As I stated before you should have the car put on a hoist and inspected by a competent mechanic to hear what/where the noise is before replacing anything. Hope this helps and thanks again for using 2CarPros.
Danny-
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Sunday, September 16th, 2018 AT 11:23 AM
Tiny
LISAMC72
  • MEMBER
  • 14 POSTS
Thanks so much you all for trying to help me with this! Yes, it is a Monroe Quick Strut. I took some video but still do not think it truly captures the sound. Please excuse my dirty car.
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Sunday, September 16th, 2018 AT 1:39 PM
Tiny
STEVE W.
  • MECHANIC
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Quick Strut is a brand name but it also is sort of generic for a complete strut assembly, mount, strut and spring all in one bolt in unit. The noise is a bit hard to hear, it sort of sounds like a strut bearing but hard to say for 100%. Can you get a helper for a few minutes, preferably someone large who can push down on the car so it can rebound like you hit a big bump? If so put your hand on the top of the strut mount and have them give it a good bounce. If it is the bearing you will feel the strut stud sort of snap up and down as the bearing moves in the mount.
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Sunday, September 16th, 2018 AT 3:59 PM
Tiny
LISAMC72
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I am not sure how to get to the strut mount due to the cover over it or how to remove that to expose it.
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Sunday, September 16th, 2018 AT 4:42 PM
Tiny
STEVE W.
  • MECHANIC
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You should be able to feel it if you put your hand on the cover or even if you press over a mount bolt but it depends on how sensitive your hand is.
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Sunday, September 16th, 2018 AT 6:45 PM
Tiny
LISAMC72
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  • 14 POSTS
Hi guys, the noise was the strut and the same strut they replaced twice already. Maybe third times the charm. Thank you both for your help!
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Saturday, September 22nd, 2018 AT 5:37 AM
Tiny
DANNY L
  • MECHANIC
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You are welcome!
Thanks for using 2CarPros.
Danny-
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Sunday, September 23rd, 2018 AT 9:19 PM
Tiny
LISAMC72
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  • 14 POSTS
Hello guys, it is me again. You will not believe it but the same strut has failed again! I just started hearing the noise yesterday. First and second time they replaced strut and mount but they never replaced the whole assembly and third time I think they replaced the strut only. Do y’all have any idea why this would keep happening? Should they have replaced the entire assembly when it was under warranty and leaking?
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Sunday, October 14th, 2018 AT 9:44 AM

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