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| Steering clonk issue?; Any tech help appreciated. | |
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| Tweet Topic Started: Mar 26 2016, 03:25 PM (770 Views) | |
| Zammo | Mar 26 2016, 03:25 PM Post #1 |
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New Member
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Hi Peaps. Just quickly, thank you all for such a warm positive welcome to the community, it was great, and sorry to any Geo purists that I may of upset , I just feel we all have a lot of common ground, together is stronger lol.I have an issue that I am sure is common and has an equally simple solution and hope you people might be able to help with. Before I start I should mention that, I do not take to asking silly questions that I haven't already researched myself, but if you don't know , then ask the people that do is my philosophy Ok, whilst steering into full lock on both sides at low speed there are a series of loud bangs or clonks, felt not through the steering wheel but rather through the body of the vehicle, I have examined the relevant areas both jacked up and on the ground, no components appear to be at fault, the problem was evident before the fitting of the lowering springs. The bushes and CV joints are good, I am an engineer by trade and it does not feel like the rack (non PS), or CV joints.............. mad theory of mine, coils slipping on their mountings? I just do not know, any advice or experience welcome, thanks
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| Johnny Mullet | Mar 26 2016, 03:37 PM Post #2 |
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Fear the Mullet
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Most likely the front upper strut bearings if the noise was there before the spring swap. |
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| Crvett69 | Mar 26 2016, 04:50 PM Post #3 |
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i have also seem ball joints make noises like that with wheels turned all the way |
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| Zammo | Mar 26 2016, 05:25 PM Post #4 |
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Yep, makes sense, I knew I should have done the shocks at the same time, , "do it nice or do it twice", why do we always break our own rules? Thanks for the ball joint suggestion, but it was early on my suspect list, it's all replaced or tight as a mouses arse down there, but the spring slips, clonks, so the FTS bearing is the probable cause. I will welcome any other suggestions and obviously let you know of any progress, thank you.
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| suzukitom | Mar 26 2016, 06:06 PM Post #5 |
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Tom
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On my car it was sway bar links to control arm. Loose/worn link will make a snap noise at opposite lock depending on which side is involved. |
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| Zammo | Mar 26 2016, 07:41 PM Post #6 |
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Cheers Tom, it does it both sides, and don't get me wrong, it does not click just on full lock it's thuds as you get there. Those Mullet suggested gutter snipes sound like the ones, I need another set of ears and eyes, I'm sure it's them. |
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| Woodie | Mar 27 2016, 04:46 AM Post #7 |
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The upper and lower spring mounts turn with the strut and the spring, there shouldn't be any reason for the spring to move. I'm with Johnny, most likely those pancake bearings in the top mount. |
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| t3ragtop | Mar 27 2016, 06:39 AM Post #8 |
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Turbo3 and Twincam Tweaker
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here you go. ![]() http://www.ebay.com/itm/Strut-Mount-Rebuild-Kit-1989-2001-Geo-Metro-Suzuki-Swift-NEW-Genuine-OEM-/221570132454?fits=Make%3ASuzuki|Model%3ASwift|Submodel%3AGTI&hash=item33969be9e6:g:r5MAAOxyUylTRLcd&vxp=mtr |
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| Memphis metro | Mar 27 2016, 06:43 AM Post #9 |
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Not saying this is your problem but this is what a bad ball joint sounds like http://geometroforum.com/single/?p=702439&t=4464045 |
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| Crvett69 | Mar 27 2016, 11:21 AM Post #10 |
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Also had one that under acceleration or braking would have a loud thump. Rear bushing on front control arm had deteriorated enough that when you stepped on brakes or gas it was thumping inside bracket. Looked fine until I took it off and could see a gap between inner rubber and outer part. Imagine you could do the window goop like some use with the motor mounts but I just replaced the control arms |
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| Zammo | Mar 27 2016, 11:53 AM Post #11 |
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Cheers guys that is all very helpful, I have checked the ball joints earlier and it is all good, so I 99.9% sure that Mr Mullett is correct, so thank you for you advice and the links provided. I will get on it and report back with my findings.
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| suzukitom | Mar 28 2016, 02:18 PM Post #12 |
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Tom
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Based on your description, the consensus of GMF's top experts [ ] is failed strut bearings. This YouTube video also demonstrates a way to identify/confirm a failed strut mount bearing. You may need a helper to turn the steering wheel while you watch the spring(s). Example: Ford Fusion - verify normal vs. failed strut mount bearing by watching coil spring behavior while turning steering wheel lock to lock Youtube: view time sequence between 01:40 to 02:45 Also, GMF Member nerys posted a how-to video on replacement of a strut mount: Geo Metro strut mount replacement |
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, I just feel we all have a lot of common ground, together is stronger lol.





, "do it nice or do it twice", why do we always break our own rules? Thanks for the ball joint suggestion, but it was early on my suspect list, it's all replaced or tight as a mouses arse down there, but the spring slips, clonks, so the FTS bearing is the probable cause. I will welcome any other suggestions and obviously let you know of any progress, thank you.



Cheers guys that is all very helpful, I have checked the ball joints earlier and it is all good, so I 99.9% sure that Mr Mullett is correct, so thank you for you advice and the links provided. I will get on it and report back with my findings.
] is failed strut bearings. 
7:30 PM Jul 10