Is this a sign I need new struts...?

[giant_mtb]

So my suspension, both front and back, makes a (quite) loud rattling-type sound when going over bumps and it's very very annoying.  Someone told me it was 'cause my struts are "bad" and I need new ones.  Is this legit or is there something else that's wrong?

[IrishGuy]

So my suspension, both front and back, makes a (quite) loud rattling-type sound when going over bumps and it's very very annoying.  Someone told me it was 'cause my struts are "bad" and I need new ones.  Is this legit or is there something else that's wrong?

Is your exhaust loose at all?

[The Pirate]

So my suspension, both front and back, makes a (quite) loud rattling-type sound when going over bumps and it's very very annoying.? Someone told me it was 'cause my struts are "bad" and I need new ones.? Is this legit or is there something else that's wrong?

It's very possible.? What year and how many miles?

It's a Monte Carlo, right?



Edit:  Push down on the vehicle over one of the struts.  Push down a few times, enough to bounce the car.  Stop pushing, if the car still bounces several times after you stop, struts are bad or on their way out.

[Danish]

It sounds like a loose exhaust system. Check under the car to see any piping is loose or if it has come off the hanger.

Adam is right about testing the struts. IIRC, you push the car (like the trunk) down and it should stop after two/three bounces (oscillations)

[saxonyron]

A loose rattling sound in a front end could be a lot of things.? Suspects are tie rods, ball joints, struts, I even had a loose steering rack in my A6 once that just needed to re-torque 2 bolts.? You need to put the car on a lift and give everything a good "once over" before you pull any triggers. Noise in both front and back could well be the exhaust system, too. 

[giant_mtb]

Well, damn, guys...I wish I had some way I could get under that thing enough to have a good look around...    I need ramps.  Bad.



Monte Carlo with ~108,XXX.

[The Pirate]

Well, damn, guys...I wish I had some way I could get under that thing enough to have a good look around...    I need ramps.  Bad.



Monte Carlo with ~108,XXX.

Well try the bounce thing with the struts.  If the car stops oscillating right when you stop applying force, it's probably not the struts.  Process of elimination.


Oh, and for check suspension and front end related goodies, a hydraulic jack and jackstands will be much better than ramps.  With Christmas specials going on, I bet you could get the jack and stands for $50 or so.


Just alway, always, always use jackstands when you are going to be underneath the car.

[sandertheshark]

A loose rattling sound in a front end could be a lot of things.  Suspects are tie rods, ball joints, struts, I even had a loose steering rack in my A6 once that just needed to re-torque 2 bolts.  You need to put the car on a lift and give everything a good "once over" before you pull any triggers. Noise in both front and back could well be the exhaust system, too.

What he said.

And find that guy who said it must be your struts and tell him he's a jackass.  It could be a half-dozen different things.