I'm making this all-in-one thread for problems with the front suspension.

Terms and Wear Parts:

Upper Link (aka upper A arm, camber arm): 1 ball joint, 2 bushings.
Transverse Link (aka lower control arm, LCA): 2 bushings.
Compression Rod: 1 ball joint, 1 bushing
Steering Kuckle: 1 ball joing
Stabilizer Connecting Rod (aka sway bar end link): 2 ball joint
Stabilizer Bar (aka sway bar): 2 bushings
Shock/Coilover

So you have some front end noise.. What do you do? Where do you start? Jack your car up and take off the wheel. Inspect the ball joints then visually inspect the bushings

Ball Joint Inspection:
You will be checking for a few things axial play(up/down movement), swing torque, and visual damge. You check swing torque by measuring the amount of force needed to move the ball joint with a spring scale. Make sure there are no cracks or leaks in the boot, replace accordingly.

Upper Link - There should be no axial play. Measure axial end play by installing and moving up/down with
an iron pry bar or something similar between upper link and
steering knuckle.
Swing Torque - Less than 34.8 N (3.5 kg, 7.8 lb)

Steering Knuckle - There should be no axial play. Measure axial end play by installing and moving up/down with
an iron pry bar or something similar between steering knuckle
and wheel.

Compression Rod - There should be no axial play Measure axial end play by installing and moving up/down with
an iron pry bar or something similar between compression rod
and transverse link.
Swing Torque - 2.37 - 39.5 N (0.24 - 4.03 kg, 0.53 - 8.88 lb)

Bushing Inspection:
Check bushing for deformation, cracks, and damage. Replace accordingly.
Upper Link - 2 bushings.
Transverse Link - 2 bushings.
Compression Rod - 1 bushing
Stabilizer Bar (aka sway bar): 2 bushings

End Links: If you are lowered any amount, you NEED adjustable end links. The stock end links are pillow ***** and must sit completely straight when the car is on the ground. Not having this done can result in all sorts of noises and bad handling.

Shocks/Coilover:
● Check shock absorber for deformation, cracks, damage, and replace if necessary.
● Check piston rod for damage, uneven wear or distortion, and replace if necessary.
● Check welded and sealed areas for oil leakage, and replace if necessary.
● Check mounting insulator for cracks and rubber parts for wear. Replace them if necessary
● Check coil spring for cracks, wear, damage, and replace if necessary

 

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Any idea where I can go in the bay area to have an issue I have troubleshooting a thud noise from my front right side of my car? I'm thinking it may be a bad ball joint but not sure. Only makes a sound of thud when changing lanes or going over a little bump. Can hear anything on smooth roads. thanks

 

I'm about 50 minutes of SF. It's really easy to do if you have a floor jack.

 

I had my car jacked up this weekend for an oil changed and noticed when pushing or pulling on my front right tire it had about 1/4 inch play, lug nuts were on tight and car has a slight vibration when turning left and high speeds...Any idea of what it could be?

 

I was having a clunking noise too and it was the compression rod ball joint. You won't hear it on smooth roads until you go over bumps or voids. If you want to check this yourself, you can check this by shaking the rod up and down. If it's easy to move and clunks, it's on its way out.

 

I've been hearing a lot of front suspension noise. First is a "thudding" noise while driving at any speed. It's more of a rotational noise either smooth or rough roads.

Second is creaking while turning. I did change my CR bushings to white lines. I changed them about 20k miles ago. Car currently has 91k.

Any help would be useful. I did check for play while the car was up and seemed pretty solid.

 

Creaking sounds normal with poly bushings. Stock are the best for comfort.

 

That's what I was thinking. Maybe I might switch back to oem. While I'm there, thinking about changing the lca as well. Thanks