94RegalLimited Posted February 2, 2017 Report Share Posted February 2, 2017 Hello all! Just joined this lovely forum about 2 minutes ago! Im looking for some suggestions as to what a knocking sound from my front passenger side is. I drive a 1994 Buick Regal Limited. I have a video linked below with the sound. I have felt around while a friend pushed on the car and I can't seem to pinpoint it. It feels strongest on the strut but still not what I'd expect from how loud the sound is. Heres the link --- My struts where bad many months ago so its a good possibility thats it, so I just ordered new Monroe cartridges and the tools i need, but I'm only like 50% sure that will solve it, any ideas?? Thank you!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
94RegalLimited Posted February 2, 2017 Author Report Share Posted February 2, 2017 Also when I'm driving at low speeds it rattles, and doesn't do much when i'm accelerating and slowing down. Also it doesn't change much when I'm turning. Thanks again! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Padgett Posted February 2, 2017 Report Share Posted February 2, 2017 (edited) Sounds more like a harmonic balancer coming apart. Is this a 3800 ? Edited February 2, 2017 by Padgett Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
95GS Posted February 2, 2017 Report Share Posted February 2, 2017 My harmonic balancer sounded like a coffee can with marbles inside, even at idle. Watch the video Padgett, no engine. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Padgett Posted February 2, 2017 Report Share Posted February 2, 2017 Sorry thought it was idling. If not my thought its the CV joint. Normally worse when driving in tight circles at full lock. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Imp558 Posted February 2, 2017 Report Share Posted February 2, 2017 That sounds further inboard like a swaybar bushing or something. It's got a bit of a creak too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
94RegalLimited Posted February 2, 2017 Author Report Share Posted February 2, 2017 Thanks for the quick replies! Sorry thought it was idling. If not my thought its the CV joint. Normally worse when driving in tight circles at full lock. Haven't tried driving in tight circles at full lock yet, I will try that before I leave work today! That sounds further inboard like a swaybar bushing or something. It's got a bit of a creak too. I grabbed the sway bar with my hand while a friend moved the car, and I felt the creak coming from that but no knock vibration whatsoever, so I don't think its coming from the sway bar Also just noticed this morning it doesn't seem to be effected by acceleration and braking, only at certain speeds and bumps in the road. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
95GS Posted February 2, 2017 Report Share Posted February 2, 2017 The creak could be a bushing, the clank might be unrelated. Since the clank is quite positive and pronounced, maybe traceable with a wand stethoscope? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vipmiller803 Posted February 2, 2017 Report Share Posted February 2, 2017 That is really pronounced. I was going to suggest lower ball joint but I don't think that ever gets that bad. It just rips off at that point. It's like you have a completely missing LCA bushing on the other side. Are you sure the noise is from the viewed side? One isolation trick may be to disconnect the sway bar from one side. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
95GS Posted February 2, 2017 Report Share Posted February 2, 2017 The sound is too tinny (high frequency) for a drive shaft, IMO, and sounds immediate, external, not muffled by a boot, etc. Like something which is fastened loosely. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Galaxie500XL Posted February 2, 2017 Report Share Posted February 2, 2017 Sounds kind of like a bad strut bearing plate. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Imp558 Posted February 2, 2017 Report Share Posted February 2, 2017 This could be the front lower engine mount. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
94RegalLimited Posted February 7, 2017 Author Report Share Posted February 7, 2017 SOLVED!!! Sorry for no reply but it was just the large nut that holds the strut cartridge in place.... This one Was completely loose! Thanks for all the help! Galaxie500XL 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vipmiller803 Posted February 7, 2017 Report Share Posted February 7, 2017 SOLVED!!! Sorry for no reply but it was just the large nut that holds the strut cartridge in place.... This one Was completely loose! Thanks for all the help! Good work reporting back. Glad you figured it out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
2001goldGTP Posted February 9, 2017 Report Share Posted February 9, 2017 make sure you use the right tool to tighten that nut down or it will just back out again Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Imp558 Posted February 10, 2017 Report Share Posted February 10, 2017 I use a centerpunch and dimple the thread right at the nut. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vipmiller803 Posted February 10, 2017 Report Share Posted February 10, 2017 Autozone had the proper tool for rent for free when I did mine... They give you 30 days too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nas Escobar Posted February 10, 2017 Report Share Posted February 10, 2017 Autozone had the proper tool for rent for free when I did mine... They give you 30 days too.Do they still rent that? My local ones don't have the tool anymore. Sent from my Moto G4 Plus using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Imp558 Posted February 11, 2017 Report Share Posted February 11, 2017 I just use an offset box wrench and an allen key or pair of pliers depending on what the struts have on top. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
94RegalLimited Posted February 13, 2017 Author Report Share Posted February 13, 2017 I used an offset wrench and an allen / 6mm hex bit that i could attach to my breaker bar to get it tight. I tried to use an allen key made in china first and it just broke on both sides. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vipmiller803 Posted February 13, 2017 Report Share Posted February 13, 2017 What about tightening the part that was actually your problem though? You said the retaining nut was loose, not the top nut. I used something similar to this: https://www.amazon.com/OTC-4533-Stinger-W-Body-Strut/dp/B00063Y156 It was loaned out from autozone but I am not sure they still do that. I imagine one can get to it from underneath with a big enough pipe wrench though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
55trucker Posted February 13, 2017 Report Share Posted February 13, 2017 I used an offset wrench and an allen / 6mm hex bit that i could attach to my breaker bar to get it tight. I tried to use an allen key made in china first and it just broke on both sides. ?? the allen/offset socket is used to secure the top of the strut piston to the upper bumper assembly, the cartridge is held in place by the large male threaded retaining nut that is at the top of the strut opening. I take it that the retaining nut is what was causing your problem and you have secured THAT nut to the strut. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GrandpasLumina Posted March 10, 2017 Report Share Posted March 10, 2017 AutoZone no longer carries the W-body strut tool. I bought the AmPro tool because I some people said the OTC one didn't always fit aftermarket struts well, but it's more expensive. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.