I've read in various G/Z-related forums that when our endlinks go bye-bye, you can hear anything and everything from grinding noises, popping noises, clunking, squeaking or scraping.

Does anyone know for sure? I recently checked mine and it looks fine. Detached, it also works fine. It probably is.

However, i have two issues i can't figure out and it may be endlink-related, or perhaps steering linkage --- (a) grinding/poppping noise when steering is fully locked left or right and (b) a subtle front-end squeak when going slow over bumps.

(a) has been going on for a while, and i've attributed it to my wheels being too wide and scraping something.

b) just happened this weekend after i swapped the springs on my coils.

If anyone can shed some light, i'd truly appreciate it.

Thanks.

p.s. I've re-greased the sways, and drenched every bushing i can find with silicone spray, i still hear a slight (b), (a) is still there.

 

The only time I've seen swaybar endlinks fail is when they snap due to making canyon runs pushing our rides into the corners at speed. If you think something is rubbing, turn your wheels lock to lock looking underneath to see how close everything is. You can have wide wheels/tires if you're running the right offset like mid 20s or lower, high 30s and 40s will get you in trouble. The noise you describe comes from lower control arm bushing being worn out. Get er on a rack and check them out....Gary

 

If you detached one end and moved the joint around and it's tight, it is fine.

 

^whs, if you can move it quite freely once detached then the links are shot.

i have a clunking sound at times when moving slowly with wheel turned and upon research found it was an issue with the steering rack and surely found the slightest of leak which is kinda common in these cars but cant afford the replacement right not so as far as im concerned its not such a big issue

 

Is that the squeak noise or the pop/grind noise? I'll jack it up and check again, visually i didn't see anything out of the ordinary but will definitely take an even closer look.

So endlinks aren't supposed to be easily moved? That's good to know. I thought if they were easy to move (it's akin to nanchucks the way i was playing with it over the weekend ) that it was a good thing. Off to get new ones then.

So far, no clunk, but i do have the same leak you have. $800 for a new rack. *sigh* Will have to do it sooner or later.

On a different note, since the accident, i've been having one issue after another. The popping noise, now this creaking, and the car is leaking coolant at a rate where i need to top it off every couple of months. You can see some dried coolant by the sway bar and on the undershroud. *sigh* Just when the car is about to be paid off.

 

I had the popping noises when turning the steering wheel all the way to the right, and went to the dealer when my car only had 30k miles. They determined there was a small leak in the steering rack and replaced it free under warranty.

It sucks being in an accident. The car will never be the same after one, and there will always be extra problems down the road.

 

^ Yep, i originally had grinding/popping turning one way. Now it's both ways. I do have a leaking rack on the driver side, though i've never had to top off PS fluid. Go figure.

Still can't figure out why the sudden creak after replacing the springs though.

All these issues have been quite a challenge, but honestly wish it wasn't present. I just want to drive, darn it.

 

When mine failed, it sounded like exhaust pipes hitting the car's frame when I went over speed bumps and dips.

 

Got the new OEM endlinks in, and honestly it feels exactly like the current ones -- i can move it. It's taught but definitely moveable.

So, i think the end links being shot can be ruled out. I fixed the squeaking issue (separate thread.) But no idea what's causing the grinding/pop at full-lock.

 

can you get a video of it?

 

^ mike im not sure exactly how your car sounds but i get a loud 'clunk' popping sound at times at lock which is due to the bad steering rack from what iv seen on various 350z and g35 forums... post a vid if possible and that might help diagnose the problem better.