Front left wheel has a rattle.

[Scooter]

My front left wheel has a rattle when ever i drive over a crack on the road, I think i mite need a new rack but im not sure. Is there any way to check this.tks Scooter

 

[vigman]

Hmmmmmm

Rattle..... could you be more descriptive?

do you think it's internal of the tire itself?

Look at the bushings on the upper A arms.. these are usually the first to go.

Need more description.


Vig!

 

[Scooter]

I thought it was the ball joint and changed that, now i think it maybe the rack. I get a rattle every time i hit a bump or crack in the road, i never changed a rack before and woundering if i should change it my self!!!Scooter

 

[vigman]

If it's the rack

Does the steering feel sloppy?

I would open the hood

Have somebody start the car and turn the wheel lock to lock and watch what happens.

I havent seen to many racks go/ break in that way.



Vig!

 

[rdgfx3]

Have you checked to see if the clips are still in the brake pads?

 

[fixvet]

My calipers make a rattling sound once in awhile. Probably pad clips are getting weak. But, it's about time for a total brake job anyway, so will get all new parts on my ride.

 

[BigRed]

Another symptom for a bad rack is "Morning Stiffness". So when you turn on your car cold the steering should be strong arm for a couple turns.

The aluminum sheath's get warped with time and thats what is binding. So..... Do you have this problem?

 

[Scooter]

Ok tks everyone for that advice, I found the pins in the calipers are loose on both sides and need to be replaced. I will try that and see what happens.Scooter

 

[resto75]

I had the same problem with the caliper pins. It rattled on every bump in the road. I bought a brake hardware kit from NAPA and that solved the problem. It seemd to me the pins were longer then the orginals so don't be alarmed if they aren't the same lenght. It's probably for two different types of brakes. Just put the keeper as close to the caliper as it will go.

Also make sure the pad tension clips ( anti rattle clips) are on the ends of the pads. Mine were missing when I bought the car. There will be new ones in the hardware kit.