MBT Posted July 10, 2005 Report Share Posted July 10, 2005 A bit of history:About 2-3 months ago I replaced my front struts and spring seats.4th of july I noticed a strange knoking sound coming from the front passenger side of the car.Fast forward to today.I was planning on rotating my tires for some time now and have been planning on doing this every day since the 4th. It became an even bigger issue since the appearance of the sound as I was hoping to find the cause during the rotation.After pulling up to the shop where I bought the tires (free rotations) I noticed that the guys were pretty busy and was told that they would not be able to see me till 1 hour from then.Upon coming back I noticed that they were even busier than before. I decided that I'd leave and come back on Monday morning. As I was turning around I heard a NEW LOUD grinding noise that I have not heard before. It was coming from the same area of the car as the earlier sound. I decided that there would be no driving till I found out what the issue was.2 seconds after the car was lifted I found the cause. More images:http://mbt.seattlovka.com/whatnottodo/pict2310.jpghttp://mbt.seattlovka.com/whatnottodo/pict2311.jpghttp://mbt.seattlovka.com/whatnottodo/pict2313.jpghttp://mbt.seattlovka.com/whatnottodo/pict2314.jpgIt turns out that the sway bar link came loose (the nut that was holding it at the strut came off) and was at some point (probably today) pushed under the strut above the A arm. by the way, it DID get bent AAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!So gentlemen, TIGHTEN THOSE BOLTS!Solution: I'm getting a new link (no need for 2 as they were both only 9 months old) on Monday from a local store for $35. I know that FCP has them for $15, but considering the urgent nature of the issue I am not willing to wait for 5 days for it to arrive (starting Monday; they do NOT ship on weekends) or pay extra for the overnight that would still not get it here till Tuesday and would probably cost me just as much as the local part.Few questions: - does anyone know if these links come with the nuts? The guy at the store was not sure, and I only have 1 nut (bottom one). - does it matter if you install it upside down? - should I use locktight on this connection?- how do you tighten it? Do you have to hold it in the back, and if so, how? Can't remmeber what I did last time. :( Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mesoam Posted July 10, 2005 Report Share Posted July 10, 2005 please resize those pics... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MBT Posted July 10, 2005 Author Report Share Posted July 10, 2005 Keep forgetting that those things are shot at 4MP. I resized the one that shows up in the thread. The rest are still in original size (.5MB each).The original size version of the one in the thread is also there @ http://mbt.seattlovka.com/whatnottodo/pict2309_old.jpg Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zappo Posted July 10, 2005 Report Share Posted July 10, 2005 Are you sure there isn't any damage to the joints in the drive shaft? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MBT Posted July 10, 2005 Author Report Share Posted July 10, 2005 Pretty sure.It looks like the link "cleaned up" the shaft.It does look like it pushed the boot out of its way a little, but not much. The clamp (on the boot) did not disengage.I did find out that I need new brake pads and rotors. Thinking about drilled/slotted rotors for the front and pads to match. Suggestions?Still looking for the answers for the original questions.Thanks, Mike Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
merlin390 Posted July 10, 2005 Report Share Posted July 10, 2005 Few questions: - does anyone know if these links come with the nuts? The guy at the store was not sure, and I only have 1 nut (bottom one). - does it matter if you install it upside down? - should I use locktight on this connection?- how do you tighten it? Do you have to hold it in the back, and if so, how? Can't remmeber what I did last time. ←mine came with nutsno it doesn't matteryes I wouldthere are 2 flat spots on the rod sticking out use a wrench Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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