Front End Rattle - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

Tony_SS · 03-15-2009, 09:54 PM

I have a nasty rattling when I take on a bump... seems to be coming from the front driver wheel, or the underside of the front end suspension. Visually everything looks OK,... any ideas what problem could be hiding?

f.monroe · 03-15-2009, 10:22 PM

Brake pads can rattle . Try the same bumps with a light pressure on the brake pedal . If it is still there , check the shock mounts and the swaybar bushings if you have one . Just a couple thoughts .
Frank

**old Rusty C10** · 03-15-2009, 10:37 PM

what you need to do is jack up the front of the truck and do a front end check.. have a friend wiggle it back and forth with one wheel up in the air and see if you have play... take a large bar and stick it under the wheel and wiggle it to see if the ball joints have play.. same with the control arms
parts are cheap enough it wont take alot of $$$ to fit it

Driveway Dreams · 03-16-2009, 01:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by old Rusty C10

what you need to do is jack up the front of the truck and do a front end check.. have a friend wiggle it back and forth with one wheel up in the air and see if you have play... take a large bar and stick it under the wheel and wiggle it to see if the ball joints have play.. same with the control arms
parts are cheap enough it wont take alot of $$$ to fit it

Did you check the ball joints and tie rod ends?

Tony_SS · 03-16-2009, 01:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Driveway Dreams

Did you check the ball joints and tie rod ends?

The previous owner replaced the lower ball joints, but not the uppers for w/e reason. They could be suspect...

impalamark · 03-16-2009, 10:28 PM

Hey
check your front shocks. I had one come loose where it bolts to the
frame and it drove me crazy tll I figured it out rattled like mad

tightened it up and no problem since

good luck
Mark

Tony_SS · 03-17-2009, 10:59 PM

Frank, I think that was it... it does not rattle when I"m on the brakes over the bumps.

So you think its the brake pads themselves? Or a loose caliper?

James McClure · 03-16-2009, 08:07 AM

I hate to add this but I will. How does it steer? Check for broken metal where the steering box bolts up and check the radiator support mounts. jim

Tony_SS · 03-16-2009, 09:09 AM

Radiator support mounts are good... just put in a new radiator.

I took a good look underneath, and nothing looks broken or out of place.

Could it be a broken coil spring? It's not leaning of sagging, but though that might be the case (and a good excuse to get some drop springs!)

It does steer good too... all the linkage checks out ok.

03-15-2009, 09:54 PM	#1
Tony_SS Registered User Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Washington, MO Posts: 643	Front End Rattle I have a nasty rattling when I take on a bump... seems to be coming from the front driver wheel, or the underside of the front end suspension. Visually everything looks OK,... any ideas what problem could be hiding?

03-15-2009, 10:22 PM	#2
f.monroe Senior Member Join Date: May 2004 Location: Caldwell,Tx. Posts: 3,648	Re: Front End Rattle Brake pads can rattle . Try the same bumps with a light pressure on the brake pedal . If it is still there , check the shock mounts and the swaybar bushings if you have one . Just a couple thoughts . Frank __________________ Born and proudly residing in a Red State !

03-15-2009, 10:37 PM	#3
old Rusty C10 Robert Olson Transport Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: recent transplant to NC USA Posts: 20,310	Re: Front End Rattle what you need to do is jack up the front of the truck and do a front end check.. have a friend wiggle it back and forth with one wheel up in the air and see if you have play... take a large bar and stick it under the wheel and wiggle it to see if the ball joints have play.. same with the control arms parts are cheap enough it wont take alot of $$$ to fit it __________________ Bob 1951 International running on a squarebody chassis "If a man's worth is judged by the people he associates himself with, then i am the richest man in the world knowing some of the fine people of this board" http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/a...t.php?f=25&a=9 (you can review the site rules here!) PM Me for your vehicle/parts hauling needs in the North East US or see my Facebook page Robert Olson Transport Live each day to the fullest.. you never know when fate is going to pull the rug out from under you... I hate cancer!!

03-16-2009, 10:28 PM	#6
impalamark Registered User Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: cocoa florida Posts: 183	Re: Front End Rattle Hey check your front shocks. I had one come loose where it bolts to the frame and it drove me crazy tll I figured it out rattled like mad tightened it up and no problem since good luck Mark __________________ the avatar was my 62 I owned for 27 years 84 chevy short short bed black 84 gmc long bed copper/ buckskin 88 chevy k5 blazer white Life's short make the most of it Mark aka impalmark

03-17-2009, 10:59 PM	#7
Tony_SS Registered User Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Washington, MO Posts: 643	Re: Front End Rattle Frank, I think that was it... it does not rattle when I"m on the brakes over the bumps. So you think its the brake pads themselves? Or a loose caliper?

03-16-2009, 08:07 AM	#8
James McClure One shot, one kill. Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Saratoga Springs NY Posts: 859	Re: Front End Rattle I hate to add this but I will. How does it steer? Check for broken metal where the steering box bolts up and check the radiator support mounts. jim __________________ 1984 K20 350M engine with 465,000 miles. Well, it's finally done!! Almost 2 years of work, but it was really worth the effort. Little stuff left to do is mount winch, wet sand & buff out and build belly pan\running boards. Body work takes lots and LOTS of beer!!!! God, Guts and Guns made America and God, Guts and Guns will preserve it! The worst thing you could do is get into my sights, but that don't matter, you'll never know it, cause you'll never hear the shotJim or Paladin whichever you choose.

03-16-2009, 09:09 AM	#9
Tony_SS Registered User Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Washington, MO Posts: 643	Re: Front End Rattle Radiator support mounts are good... just put in a new radiator. I took a good look underneath, and nothing looks broken or out of place. Could it be a broken coil spring? It's not leaning of sagging, but though that might be the case (and a good excuse to get some drop springs!) It does steer good too... all the linkage checks out ok.

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Switch to Linear Mode Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode



Register or Log In To remove these advertisements.

Register or Log In To remove these advertisements.