Rattle in front of car???

[1vngal]

I noticed this afternoon that there is like a rattle that appears to be coming from the front passenger side of the car, and I can just feel it through the steering wheel. I have no idea what it could be?? Suggestions?

[greenfoam]

Is it when you go over a bump?

[1vngal]

It's more noticeable at low speeds and yes if on bumpy roads. But even in the road surface is (sort of) flat, you can still hear it.

[vnberlwagon]

If you can get the car up on jackstands(not ramps) check the steering and suspension components and especially the ball joints.
I had something similar a few weeks ago to find out most of the bushes associated with the steering needed to be replaced.

[1vngal]

If thats what it is...what sort of costs are involved?

[Nobody Actually]

depends if you want standard bushes or nolothane items..........

[vnberlwagon]

Depends how many bushes are replaced, but possibly, $300-$550.
I got nolathane bushes put in which are regarded as the best, they are pricey but will last longer than the car. Also, depends how long you are going to keep the car. I replaced all the bushes front and rear and it cost me $780 incl. wheel alignment at pedders.

[pandaman]

The cost will also depend a lot on whether you do it yourself, labour is seriously expensive. You can pick up a nolathane suspension rubber kit for around the $350 mark if memory serves. Most of em aren't too hard to do yourself I think. the first thing I did after I got the wagon was the sway bar links, took me a while though coz the nuts on the previous links were seized, one of em sheared in half before the nut would give way!

Anyway, ya might wanna see if you can isolate your problem before you go doing anything else. Firstly, try bouncing both front corners and see if you can feel any slop or hear a clunk, if so then look underneath and bounce the offending corner and see if you can find where the noise is coming from. (mine was the sway bar mounts, replacing them tomorrow, probably should have done them same time as the links). If that doesnt work, try jacking up the front passenger side till the wheel is off the ground face the wheel and try moving the wheel in all directions, (push pull, up down, left right) If theres any movement (other than the obvious turning for steeringness) see if you can see where it is and that's the part that will need replacing. If the wheel can be pushed and pulled along the hub slightly, that will mean the wheel bearing needs adjusting/possibly replacing. If the wheel can be moved left to right or up and down you may need to replace a control arm bush or radius rod bush.

Good luck! Gotta love these middle aged cars hey?

Neil.

[1vngal]

Yeah, I'm gonna find the problem first, I just had no idea where to look!! I'll have to read pandaman's post when my brain is functioning a bit better. (Too damn sleepy!! *Yawn*) Anyway, could the noise be coming from anywhere other than the front wheels? And whats the difference between standard bushes and nolathane bushes apart from the price?

[Reckless Motor Sport]

Hi 1vngirl if you decide to change the bushes i would steer away from nolathane (Personal choice from Suspension Specialist) try a brand called mackay bushes i use them n my vl and they work a treat

[VPWAGZ]

hey i get a clunck from my passenger side every time i go over a bump i think my ball joint is gone on the side have to check it out

[str8up]

I know this may sound stupid but I noticed a knocking sound from my car today, turned out i had only done up one wheel hand tight :my: ... last time i work on my car when im just about sleep walking

[greenfoam]

hey i get a clunck from my passenger side every time i go over a bump i think my ball joint is gone on the side have to check it out

Fair chance it's the sway bar link bushes (costs a couple bucks and easy to replace )

[Blown V6 Hatch]

Fair chance it's the sway bar link bushes (costs a couple bucks and easy to replace )

Right on the money there greenfoam that is exactly what it will be!

[1vngal]

Ok, so I've isolated the problem. It's the wheel bearings, both driver and passenger side. The passenger side one is worse though. I need new disc rotors to for the front, do the wheel bearings come included with the rotor? If so what sort of price?

[greenfoam]

I dont like to be telling you your wrong, but the chance of it being wheel bearings are about zero point zero percent, so I'd double check that and the bearings don't come with rotors, I still say it will be the sway bar link bushes

[1vngal]

Well, I'm only going by what the guy who checked it out said. But I'll get someone else to look at it and see what they say.

[greenfoam]

Just go to holden and buy the rubbers, it will only take you less than a hour to put them on and they will need replacing anyway because this happens to everyones VN and is the cause of the biggest rattle : )

[CLE]

I've had the same problem, it turned out to be a shock absorber.