Rattling in front suspension.

[Slim Teufel]

'91 Isuzu Trooper :trooper:, 140k miles, 2.8L V6, Auto 4spd.

Some bumps, but not all bumps bring this god aweful noise from the front end. Abrupt bumps usually. I have replaced the shocks, replaced brakes and removed the stupid trim rings from the rims. I know (obviously) that this sound is coming from the front suspension somewhere, but where?


only as a preemptive measure: :flipoff2:

[Eric D]

what was that quote?

"the only advice I can give you for the IFS is to leave it alone because eventually you're going to SAS it anyway" :p

Actually I like IFS for the type of crap I do, just don't like the limitations of it. :D

That aside -

Check yer ball joints. Upper and lower pivots. Those two upper pivot mount bolts on either side. Sway bar bushings if yours is still in place. Idler arm.

Not much else is gonna give you a funky noise when you hit some bumps, unless you have hosed shocks or a loose lugnut (other than the one behind the steering wheel)

[Independent4x]

uh lets see where to begin..........

upper ball joints, lower ball joints, worn TRE's, loose exhaust, the bolts that hold the upper "A" arm to the frame, idler arm, skid plate and or related, etc.

pull the wheels get under there and start checking systematically.

there are lots of components to the IFS that all wear down together making them generally "loose" and difficult to pinpoint 1 specific cause for a noise................yet another reason the general concensus is that IFS sucks.

BUT....that is besides the point ;)

[zutrooper]

being a 1st gen, I'm guessing that you've already removed the sway connects. If they're attached, you might want to make sure they're bolted tight and/or not bent.

[mlclark]

Is it a hollow sound? Kind of like something bouncing within a tube?

If so, you most likely lost the c-clip off the end of one of the CV axles. The axle will pull out a bit and bonk around in the spindle.

The splines are probably shot and the axle will have to be replaced.

Good Luck,
Michael

[rodeo_chris]

Might just be the front torison bars. Mine make all kind of god-awful noises depending on the situation.

If you can't find anything loose, turn up the radio and wait for the IFS to fall apart so you can start a SAS.
-chris

[lttlbddy]

Check the bushings on the upper a-arms. When they go you start having metal/metal contact on bumps. Been there a couple of times.

http://www.lttlbddy.com/albums/MyAmigo/MiscPics/Bushings-1.JPG

Guess which one is the new one.

Steve

[zutrooper]

michael may be right on c-clip. Pull on CV and see if it will slide out of hub. IF it does, you need to take apart hub and re-assemble. This has happened to me before, but no real damage was done.

[mepr]

i had something just like this in my little truck. I greesed my front end and it was gone.