MaydayDown_Joey
Member
- :
- 2002 Protege 5
Ok so the entire time I've had this car I've been plagued with issues. Mostly suspension issues.
One issues I've not been able to pin down is what appears to be a metal to metal squeak when turning the wheel, and slop in the suspension in this same location in acceleration or when other certain conditions are met.
- The squeak happens only when the car is on the ground, I tried it when it was in the air and nothing. I do not see the spring rotating or binding when I look and turn the wheel.
- The slop in the suspension manifests usually at low speeds (5mph or less) or if I go over rough patches in the road or very large pot holes and you can hear a noise when it settles or smacks the other side of the pothole. This also appears to be parallel with the direction. Another example is sometimes at real low speeds when I go to accelerate it feels like the slight delay on this side then the car (or power) lunges forward a little.
- Both have been there the entire time I have owned the car and the replaced parts lists below did not change either items.
- I also do not detect the any slop on the bearings. Nor do I hear any clunking in the axle (nor tearing on axle boots)
- A-arm ball joint are dry and torn boots, I see NO grease (this is a major clue for me)
Changed components:
- Shocks
- Shock tower hats and bearings
- Lower and upper spring rubber
- Steering tie rod ends (but not the arms)
- End links (connecting to sway bar)
- Front and rear motor mounts (they needed it)
So I'm considering replacing the lower a-arms, the whole car is pretty dry all the balljoints look shot and have torn boots, all 4 motor mounts were torn to one degree or another. So this might lead me to think that the a-arm bushings are shot (lateral instability) and the Balljoints are metal to metal (squeak)
Thoughts, suggestions, opinions?
Thanks!
One issues I've not been able to pin down is what appears to be a metal to metal squeak when turning the wheel, and slop in the suspension in this same location in acceleration or when other certain conditions are met.
- The squeak happens only when the car is on the ground, I tried it when it was in the air and nothing. I do not see the spring rotating or binding when I look and turn the wheel.
- The slop in the suspension manifests usually at low speeds (5mph or less) or if I go over rough patches in the road or very large pot holes and you can hear a noise when it settles or smacks the other side of the pothole. This also appears to be parallel with the direction. Another example is sometimes at real low speeds when I go to accelerate it feels like the slight delay on this side then the car (or power) lunges forward a little.
- Both have been there the entire time I have owned the car and the replaced parts lists below did not change either items.
- I also do not detect the any slop on the bearings. Nor do I hear any clunking in the axle (nor tearing on axle boots)
- A-arm ball joint are dry and torn boots, I see NO grease (this is a major clue for me)
Changed components:
- Shocks
- Shock tower hats and bearings
- Lower and upper spring rubber
- Steering tie rod ends (but not the arms)
- End links (connecting to sway bar)
- Front and rear motor mounts (they needed it)
So I'm considering replacing the lower a-arms, the whole car is pretty dry all the balljoints look shot and have torn boots, all 4 motor mounts were torn to one degree or another. So this might lead me to think that the a-arm bushings are shot (lateral instability) and the Balljoints are metal to metal (squeak)
Thoughts, suggestions, opinions?
Thanks!
