Front end knock/pop??
 

I have a knock/pop on the drivers side fron of my car when I start the car, turn(sometimes), apply brakes. It isn't motor mounts because it idles smooth. Any ideas as to what it could be? Thanks

Guide rod mount. One end, likely the aft end, of the strut that runs between the lower control arm and the firewall.

Sixto
87 300D

How can I check it? Does it need to be replaced right now or can it wait for awhile?

It takes the weight of the car to feel the looseness so pretty hard to do without taking the suspension apart but those sypmtoms are classic.

Should be a while before anything catastrophic happens :eek:

Sixto
87 300D

whats the worst that could happen?

Do I have to remove the springs to replace the rod and bushings?

The guide rod can come loose and you'll lose caster placement of the wheel and steering ability. I've never heard of a guide rod mount failing catastrophically. In the infrequent case there is a catastrophic failure, it's caused by rust, not a worn bushing.

No need to remove the spring if you're not going to replace the forward bushings. You need a come-along to pull the lower control arm forward enough to remove and replace the guide rod mount.

Sixto
87 300D

okay, how can I tell when it really need to be repaired? When it starts popping alot?

Thanks for the help.

Could it be a shock?

You can pry on the lower control arm and you will see movement in that guide rod bushing if its bad- also check under the rubber cover and look at the boot- if its torn apart, then yeah thats probably the source of your noise

I'll take a look next weekend when I have someextra time. About how long will it be before I have to replace it?

I had a loose motor mount (bolt was cross threaded, wouldn't go in all the way and the head stripped, so I said screw it) on my passenger side. Made a horrible knocking noise when Id hit bumps, start the car, and shut it off. Finaly fixed that..

could it be a ball joint? Maybe the rocking of the engine on startup causes it to make the noise also

I would double check the motor mount. Especially the contact area where the arm meets the mount. Also check the center bolt that goes into the arm, sometimes as stated above the threads get screwed up or the bolt is loose.

i'll take a look. Also, I can feel the pop in the floor when it happens.

You can check the guide rod mount by jacking it up and prying on the lug that is near that end with a crow bar or similar device. Ther should be little or no movement.
You don't need a come along to replace it. This is a 1 hr job if things come apart w/o too much trouble. You need to be carefull about adjusting the length back to where it was or you will need to get an alignment.

is there any type of DIY write up around here on guide rod mounts?