96 Cutty 3100, The front left has a rattle over smaller bumps... I took the strut cover off and had a look and if I pull the strut up out of the bearing housing, I can rattle it and replicate the noise... What I dont get is, how does a strut rattle when moving side to side? Does the rubber bushing attached to the strut have something inside of it that could rattle? He said he replaced the bearing plate on the passenger side the last time he heard this noise... However, It doesnt sound like the noise is coming from there... Any ideas?
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Thread: Rattle is front left strut area
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06-19-2012, 02:07 PM #1
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Rattle is front left strut area
98 Regal GS - 275k, on the race to 300k
99 Silverado Z71 - 204k, BGA express
03 Grand Prix GT - 81k, Hopefully will see the road again someday
97 Grand Prix GTP - 173k, Sloppy Seconds V2.0
Originally Posted by BXX
Al is a big sexy stud
Originally Posted by 95GPSE
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06-20-2012, 08:22 AM #2
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I'd say the strut rod or the top of it is contacting something. Might be a bad strut and the rod is rattling inside the cartridge.
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'94 GP SE - 136k miles - Owned for 12 years - In storage
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Originally Posted by Crazy K
Originally Posted by Woll Smoth
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06-20-2012, 12:46 PM #3
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If the nut holding the strut down is not tight, it will rattle.
Jay
1994 Oldsmobile Cultass Supreme SL
3400/Getrag 284
1995 Chevy K1500 350c.i. 5spd Z71
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06-20-2012, 03:42 PM #4
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It was tight... It sounds like Adam is right, I went to remove the strut and got the nut about a turn or 2 loose and the strut rod stripped... Not sure how I am going to go about fixing this... Might need to get my big impact gun out and use vise grips to hold the rod... Even when its out, I am not sure what I will do to fix the rattle though
98 Regal GS - 275k, on the race to 300k
99 Silverado Z71 - 204k, BGA express
03 Grand Prix GT - 81k, Hopefully will see the road again someday
97 Grand Prix GTP - 173k, Sloppy Seconds V2.0
Originally Posted by BXX
Al is a big sexy stud Originally Posted by 95GPSE
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06-20-2012, 03:51 PM #5
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The seal/rod guide at the top of the strut tube could have come loose, or the piston on the end of the rod could have come loose as well...both noises cause rattles in struts and shocks.
~Aaron
1999 Buick Century Custom - 3100 V6 - 127k
2001 Subaru Outback LL Bean - 3.0L Boxer-6 - 139k
Originally Posted by CrazyK
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06-20-2012, 06:43 PM #6
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I had a loose rattle from a strut on the 91 international. It was the factory original open hydraulic unit. Pulling it revealed it to be banana shaped, and the graphite/rubber seal as the bottom was completely obliterated. accident damage.
You fail to tell us a few important details:
original or new struts?
brand of struts if new?
Last but not least, time for new front struts would be the best way to go.
I've only had goo luck with KYB thus far.
Sensatracks are too soft
Gabriels feel just right, except they need replacing ever other year, plus an extra washer to allow the top nut to tighten down on the mount....Last edited by Crazy K; 06-20-2012 at 06:46 PM.
BUILDER AND DESTROYER OF FINE(?) AMERICAN CARS.
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06-20-2012, 06:51 PM #7
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They look like replacement struts because they have an Allen head instead of a torx head on the rod... once I get it apart, ill try to figure out the noise
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