*OneBetter
December 11th, 2003, 11:04 AM
#9313: Ball Joints and Tie Rod Ends Author: OneBetter, Posted: 22 Jul 2003 07:04 am
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Just a couple questions here! It seems that almost everytime I go around a corner and am slowing down, there is a knocking noise coming from around the tires on the car, im presumming its either the ball joints or the tie rod end. I'm driving a 1992 chev corsica, so there is only the lower ball joints. there is no uppers just the strut assembly, but that could be the problem too? anyways just wondering if anyone knows what might be the problem, and also whatever the problem is if there is anyway that i can fix it instead of sending it to a mechanic thanx in advance!
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#9315: Author: dkerr, Location: Ottawa Ontario Canada Posted: 22 Jul 2003 10:11 am
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There could very well be bearings at the top of your struts, I just replaced one upper strut bearings on my van, they would be at the very top of the strut where mounted to the body.
You need to do some visual inspection and checks. To do this it would be best performed by having both front wheels off the ground, perhaps jacking up each side and blocking it if you don't have stands, do that with both front wheels are off the ground, don't trust your everyday jacks doing these tests, don't want the car falling and crushing you.
Do the following tests/checks...
With both tires ON the car and raised off the ground
1. grab one front tire and turn (should be able to do this with both wheels off the ground) now look at the very top of the strut , is it turning smoothly or turning in jerky steps which would indicate a binding upper bearing. Check both sides. Also check for smooth NON-Jerking and no grinding sounds on the lower ball joint as you turn the wheels.
2. Straighten the wheels and grab the top of the tire with one hand and the bottom with the other and try with all your might move the tire alternating push at top of tire and pull at bottom of tire, and vice-versa, any play here could indicate a bad wheel bearing set.
3. Now check the CV joints on the front wheel drive, visually inspect for tears in the rubber boot , turn the wheels and check for play or noise in the front wheel drives/CV joints.
Now remove both front tires and check for the life of the break pads, How thin they may or may not be, check both outer and inner pads, one pad being much thinner that the other pad on the same wheel could be an indication of a sticking caliber. Run your hand overf the break rotor for smoothness , should be no grooves in it.
Tie rods are usually checked for the amount of play, however should they become seized then there will be no play, but could break at any time if seized up, this should not happen if regularly greased.
Let us know what you find.
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#10013: Ball Joints Probably are not the Problem!! Author: Harley, Location: Colorado Springs Posted: 15 Aug 2003 08:41 am
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Do your self a favor and look real close at the Axle CV Joints exp. the outer. These have been a real problem for G.M. Products.
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#10024: Author: Wgoodrich, Location: Indiana Posted: 16 Aug 2003 08:48 am
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Harley Good suggestion.
Wg
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#11538: Author: TomB700, Location: Ft. Mill, SC Posted: 04 Oct 2003 01:38 pm
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Knocking-clicking when wheels turned is classic CV joints. Most auto parts stores sell rebuilt CV assemblies for about $60 ea.
Test: with the car stopped and the wheels turned hard one direction, accelerate. If it knocks CV joint. Try with wheels turned left/right.
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Just a couple questions here! It seems that almost everytime I go around a corner and am slowing down, there is a knocking noise coming from around the tires on the car, im presumming its either the ball joints or the tie rod end. I'm driving a 1992 chev corsica, so there is only the lower ball joints. there is no uppers just the strut assembly, but that could be the problem too? anyways just wondering if anyone knows what might be the problem, and also whatever the problem is if there is anyway that i can fix it instead of sending it to a mechanic thanx in advance!
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
#9315: Author: dkerr, Location: Ottawa Ontario Canada Posted: 22 Jul 2003 10:11 am
----
There could very well be bearings at the top of your struts, I just replaced one upper strut bearings on my van, they would be at the very top of the strut where mounted to the body.
You need to do some visual inspection and checks. To do this it would be best performed by having both front wheels off the ground, perhaps jacking up each side and blocking it if you don't have stands, do that with both front wheels are off the ground, don't trust your everyday jacks doing these tests, don't want the car falling and crushing you.
Do the following tests/checks...
With both tires ON the car and raised off the ground
1. grab one front tire and turn (should be able to do this with both wheels off the ground) now look at the very top of the strut , is it turning smoothly or turning in jerky steps which would indicate a binding upper bearing. Check both sides. Also check for smooth NON-Jerking and no grinding sounds on the lower ball joint as you turn the wheels.
2. Straighten the wheels and grab the top of the tire with one hand and the bottom with the other and try with all your might move the tire alternating push at top of tire and pull at bottom of tire, and vice-versa, any play here could indicate a bad wheel bearing set.
3. Now check the CV joints on the front wheel drive, visually inspect for tears in the rubber boot , turn the wheels and check for play or noise in the front wheel drives/CV joints.
Now remove both front tires and check for the life of the break pads, How thin they may or may not be, check both outer and inner pads, one pad being much thinner that the other pad on the same wheel could be an indication of a sticking caliber. Run your hand overf the break rotor for smoothness , should be no grooves in it.
Tie rods are usually checked for the amount of play, however should they become seized then there will be no play, but could break at any time if seized up, this should not happen if regularly greased.
Let us know what you find.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
#10013: Ball Joints Probably are not the Problem!! Author: Harley, Location: Colorado Springs Posted: 15 Aug 2003 08:41 am
----
Do your self a favor and look real close at the Axle CV Joints exp. the outer. These have been a real problem for G.M. Products.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
#10024: Author: Wgoodrich, Location: Indiana Posted: 16 Aug 2003 08:48 am
----
Harley Good suggestion.
Wg
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
#11538: Author: TomB700, Location: Ft. Mill, SC Posted: 04 Oct 2003 01:38 pm
----
Knocking-clicking when wheels turned is classic CV joints. Most auto parts stores sell rebuilt CV assemblies for about $60 ea.
Test: with the car stopped and the wheels turned hard one direction, accelerate. If it knocks CV joint. Try with wheels turned left/right.