AW11 front end rattle - tie rod ends, ball joints and sway bar end links

Re: AW11 front end rattle - tie rod ends, ball joints and sway bar end links (adamaw11)

Sat, 01 Feb 2014 20:48:17 GMT

I've just replaced the sway bar end links, and the front-end rattle has completely GONE - that was definitely the cause of it for me. Turned out to be the easiest suspension part I've replaced too, didn't even have to take the wheels off, just jacked it up.

The other thing I think I'm noticing is a little more vibration through the car in general, but its only slightly, could just be my imagination, and without the extra rattle in the front I'm noticing other sounds more easily. Could also be because of all the urethane bushing now fitted.

Re: AW11 front end rattle - tie rod ends, ball joints and sway bar end links (Paw11)

Sun, 12 Jan 2014 23:26:59 GMT

I have just been through the same thing. After replacing the uni joint (as mentioned in the previous post) in the steering column the rattle was still there. I got to the bottom of it last weekend when I adjusted the pre load on the steering rack. The correct way according to the workshop manual is to measure the resistance on the steering pinion with a 0-5Nm torque wrench, but who has one of those? I just tightened the 24mm hex bolt until I felt very slight resistance when moving the rack back and forth. I used an old 24 mm bolt as an adjustment tool. You will need to pull the rack out to do it though. Took about an hour or so to do and the rattle is gone. Careful you don't go too heavy on the pre load as your steering will not return to centre properly. I suspect all the money I spent replacing bushes, bearings and ball joints on the front end was unnecessary but at least I know it is all sorted now.

Re: AW11 front end rattle - tie rod ends, ball joints and sway bar end links (adamaw11)

Sun, 12 Jan 2014 18:41:35 GMT

The front-end rattle.
I've just replaced my steering rack ends, tie-rod ends, steering rack bushings and fitted the entire twos-r-us bushing kit.
The steering is heaps more precise, and no more play in the steering......
....but the knock/rattle remains! - when going over bumps or veering left/right.
But now I'm 90% sure the sway-bar links are the cause (or at least contribute to it), because with the front jacked up, I can push the sway-bar up, and it moves and makes the knock sound! - there's definitely some play there.

So I've ordered new sway-bar drop links off ebay from the UK (seemed to be the cheapest easiest standard option).

Adam.

Re: AW11 front end rattle - tie rod ends, ball joints and sway bar end links (Paw11)

Mon, 25 Nov 2013 23:35:59 GMT

Very late to the party but anyway. It's also worth taking a look at the uni joint between the steering shaft and the rack. I have replaced everything in the front end of my mk1 and it still rattles. Moving the steering wheel side to side I could hear what sounded like a rack rattle. When I pulled the uni joint to pieces some of the needle bearings had collapsed. I re packed the bearings and it was better but i need a new joint. Genuine only as far as I know and they are pretty dear.
Pete

Re: AW11 front end rattle - tie rod ends, ball joints and sway bar end links (MRTurbo)

Sat, 03 Aug 2013 14:11:31 GMT

I blew the money replacing the front strut tops and when we pulled them out realised it was just the loose nut! lol
lesson here is check the nut first folks :)

Re: AW11 front end rattle - tie rod ends, ball joints and sway bar end links (Monika)

Wed, 24 Jul 2013 22:17:04 GMT

OMG!

Had my shockie strut mounts replaced today...........it's like driving a new car..........so quiet I can now hear all the rattles in my cabin LOL

I recommend that if you can't track the rattle down in the obvious places, then just go and replace the shockie strut mounts..........awesome!

Cheers, M

Re: AW11 front end rattle - tie rod ends, ball joints and sway bar end links (wiso)

Fri, 19 Jul 2013 16:22:25 GMT

heres another possible cause that is limited to the late model AW11. 88/89. like your 89 model rainystreets.

front brake calipers. it appears they changed the design from the early 87/88's in the early models they had a collar that went over the caliper slide that kept the caliper square to the brake rotor. In my 89 model the caliper does not seem to have this collar but instead uses the rubber boots so to speak to keep the caliper in place.

Someone else I know had an issue with this not long ago. and I have a front end knock in mine everytime I hit the brakes. so with the wheel off I can only find one thing that is moving, I can grab the caliper (not the torque plate) and wobble the caliper out and in on the brake pads/rotor. it makes the same clunk I can hear when braking.

All the bolts are tight, I have a set of 87 calipers here and they are indeed a different design on the slide pin.

Re: AW11 front end rattle - tie rod ends, ball joints and sway bar end links (worldwalker)

Thu, 11 Jul 2013 21:17:24 GMT

I've got one on one of my AW's and I'm 90% sure its the rack end. I've done all the ball joints and bushes and the shocks look and feel tight but the rack end is a little loose. Hoping to have my other AW on the road next week and that's had everything replaced so I'll be disappointed if its still making noise.

Re: AW11 front end rattle - tie rod ends, ball joints and sway bar end links (rainystreets)

Thu, 11 Jul 2013 09:50:49 GMT

All good advice... thanks!

Re: AW11 front end rattle - tie rod ends, ball joints and sway bar end links (scz)

Thu, 11 Jul 2013 09:40:25 GMT

These noises can very hard to track down. The usual culprit is the links on the tie-rods, but may be as simple as 'something' loose-ish in the frunk. Before you spend more money, have a good torch-shine in there. One of my mates spent a lot of money doing the suspension just to find it was the headlamp raising/lowering mechanism.

Re: AW11 front end rattle - tie rod ends, ball joints and sway bar end links (dennis the menace)

Thu, 11 Jul 2013 08:17:11 GMT

There's your problem . . .

"....I had the suspension inspected by Pedders...."

Re: AW11 front end rattle - tie rod ends, ball joints and sway bar end links (Monika)

Wed, 10 Jul 2013 21:58:29 GMT

Ok, so I have an SW20, but I am currently going through the same replacements as yourself, as I have lots of knocking and rattling going on as well.

I have replaced the rack end, front tie rods, ball joints.......I had the suspension inspected by Pedders and they said that the entire suspension was in excellent condition, including the bushes, but the only thing they couldn't check was the shockie/strut mounts.

I have just ordered new mounts all round, so I'll let you know if it gets rid of the noise once they are installed.........hopefully in a couple of weeks.

Cheers, M

Re: AW11 front end rattle - tie rod ends, ball joints and sway bar end links (Knightrous)

Wed, 10 Jul 2013 15:46:08 GMT

Another thing that can cause a front end knock / bang is if the strut tops are worn out or the nut is loose.

Re: AW11 front end rattle - tie rod ends, ball joints and sway bar end links (dennis the menace)

Wed, 10 Jul 2013 15:26:23 GMT

Best way to check for rack movement is to jack it up (or put it on a hoist) then get a big screwdriver or prybar and carefully lever the rack sideways i.e. across the car. If the bushes are worn you'll see movement.

Re: AW11 front end rattle - tie rod ends, ball joints and sway bar end links (rainystreets)

Wed, 10 Jul 2013 13:54:05 GMT

Good idea. I had this steering rack bush replaced about 70,000 Kms ago, not sure how quickly these wear out (see below)

Figured that tie rod ends, ball joints or sway bar end links may be the culprits as they haven't been changed before.

What's the best way to check the rack for movement - just give the wheels a shake while the car is jacked up?