NOTE: If anyone has a jack and jackstands near Burbank, and possibly a little time on their hands, I'd greatly appreciate it (payment in the form of beer, I have a nice selection). I have the other tools needed, just no jack yet.... THANKS!!

Soooo, the G has been down for a few weeks, and I want to get it fixed so I don't have to drive my crappy car in to work anymore. Car's too low, so I can't really get under it too well to look, and I can't get the front end up on service ramps either (no 2x4s or decent substitute). Here's what's going on:


I'm getting some funky noises from my driver's side front wheel area. The noise really has two components:

1) Going over really bumpy streets (or bot's dots when changing lanes), or if I hit a small bump while turning, I hear a bit of a rattle sound.....also feels kinda stiffer over these bumps, but that could just be me psyching myself out, since I'm lowered on Basics.

2) When I turn the wheel most of the way to the left, I get a clunk sound. Basically, it sounds like something loose is binding under the car, then releases when the wheel gets turned far enough. Also makes this clunking sound when I brake (clunks once when the pedal gets far enough, and clunks again when I release the pedal).


Suspension modifications to car ('07 Coupe):
-Hotchkis Sways
-Tein Basics
-SPL Front Camber Arms
-SPC Rear Camber Arms w/ Toe Bolts


Here's what I've considered, or what it could be (maybe a combination):
-Sway bar end links (I checked, and I don't see anything broken, but maybe they could be loose....?)
-Potentially a broken boot on the sways, allowing all the grease to leak out
-Blown strut or poorly seated spring (checked the topnut on the shock in the engine bay, feels tight; don't feel any movement in the spring with my hands, but that's under load, of course; the car does NOT sit lower on either side, and the handling is perfectly fine, so I'm leaning away from this)
-Bad compression rods
-Wheel bearings
-Loose ball joint
-Blown control arm bushings

Other thing to note is that the car was hit back in June. Very low speed, around 5-10mph. it was a impact on the front right corner, and grazed my right wheel (only cosmetic damage to the rim). Anyway, the impact ended up loosening the torque on the LCA ball joint, allowing it some slop when turning and braking. We re-torqued that, and everything has been fine since. I'm wondering if this is part of what's happening on the left side as well...

In order to check a few of these, I need to actually get the car up in the air, so I can get under it. I'm by no means a small guy, and have checked all that I can by turning the tires. I'm hoping that it's just the compression rods loosening up, and I can just torque them back down.

I checked the exhaust for rattling against the heat shield, and I'm sure it's not that. Plus, the sound comes from the front end. Also, this sound cropped up about a week or two after getting the SPL arms put on (but by a very reputable shop, so I'd hope they didn't mess it up). I think the timing may be coincidental, but I'll be checking all those bolts and ball joints once I can get it in the air.

Any other things I should check for when I finally get the car up?

Please help, oh wise G35 gods!!! Domo will dance to appease you.

 

Nobody wants to help me.

 

Have I covered everything? No other suggestions for things to look for? If it doesn't rain, I'll hopefull be able to get under the car this weekend....

Bumpity for 2nd opinions!!!!

 

You know if you don't have a jack. You can drive you car onto the sidewalk . Start off by getting on at the driveway and move onto the up portion of the side walk. I did that once when I had to find out what problem was going on my sister firebird.

 

Compression rods maybe. I finally got mine from Riverside Infiniti and plan to change them out this weekend. Go to Home Depot and buy their jack and jack stand package - cheap and will do the job. I was there this past weekend and I saw it (I already have a set) and thought it was decent for what it was. Also try Sears. Don't wait for someone to help you do this - chances are you'll be waiting a long time.