Metallic clang from steering - front spring

[JHZR2]

For the last few years, we have been going to visit friends that own a farm... Complete with mile+ rocky driveway and a few cattle grates that aren't in the best shape. Fairly hard stuff on the suspension of my 04 Saab 9-3.

After the last trip, I noticed what sounds like a metallic clanging noise, even with an extremely short livedring to it. It comes from the right front, when the wheel goes through a specific location to the right of center. Going over bumps in the road only sometimes does it. It's the same kind of sound and entry to the cabin like when you have frames that groan and you roll slowly and they make noise. Car drives and rides perfect as it ever has.

Keep in mind I also hit a retread back in the winter at about 70 mph, though this noise is only recent.

Haven't had a chance to get the whole front axle up in the air and check stuff out, as this noise only started recently when we wherein a road trip. I will try on the weekend. What should I look for and what's the best way to diagnose? Tire on or off? Do like you would for tie rods? Also this is a fwd car, and while I've rebuilt the suspensions on my RWD cars, I've not had to fiddle with fwd and the added parts. Is there anything else to consider?

Thanks!

 

[OneEyeJack]

Sway bar link on that side where it attaches to the bottom of the strut????

 

[another Todd]

Shock or strut rubber bushings? Rocks clanging off the underside?

 

[andyd]

Originally Posted By: OneEyeJack
Sway bar link on that side where it attaches to the bottom of the strut????
Yah, a 15$ sway bar makes an expensive groan on the 528e So does a dry strut bearing. But those can quieted down with a grease needle.

 

[JHZR2]

Originally Posted By: OneEyeJack
Sway bar link on that side where it attaches to the bottom of the strut????


That would be easy. What's the test for strut bearings?

My wheel needs to be about 45 degrees to the right of center, and moved fast one way or another to do it.

 

[JHZR2]

So I checked out the front and to find where this right side noise was coming from. Since it was making a noise with the suspension on the ground, I first had my wife turned the wheel while I investigated. I found the source right away - it is the spring itself. When the steering wheel is turned back and forth around the point that is approximately 45 degrees past the centerpoint, it happens.

If I put my hand on the spring itself, you can feel it and you can also see it in the way that the spring moves when this thing happens. If I put my hand on this truck itself, where the strut mount on the tower under the hood, I can't really feel anything. But with my hand on the spring it is very distinct and very noticeable.

Any ideas what this indicates or means? Showed that upper strut mount allow motion that it is not allowing? Does something need to be lubed?

Thanks!

 

[yonyon]

Originally Posted By: JHZR2
What's the test for strut bearings?

Exactly what you did.
Originally Posted By: JHZR2

Any ideas what this indicates or means?
It is either damaged or has been disassembled and reassembled incorrectly. I think we can safely assume you didn't take the bearing apart and put it back together while sleepwalking so it must be time for a new one.

Also:
You can get the same sort of problem from a broken spring, but that mostly happens to Ford, BMW, MB, and VWs. A broken spring popping while turning instead of over bumps would pretty much be expected of Ford and VW cars. You can also rule that out by looking at the springs and verifying they're continuous end to end.

 

[JHZR2]

Well there was a recall on springs and the dealer had replaced mine.

Wonder if now, many many years and miles later, if I can point the finger and get them to own up to it. Doubtful.

OE was Sachs. That branded stuff in my mb cars seems to have lasted 30 years. What's a good brand???

 

[yonyon]

I honestly can't make any recommendations for replacement springs. All of the OEM and aftermarket springs tend to last too long for me to see any problems with any of them. Of course, if you go out and look at your springs you'll likely find they're intact which would indicate a damaged strut bearing.

 

[JHZR2]

Yeah springs are fine. They had been replaced by the dealer under the recall years ago.

Just want to know if a brand of bearing and mount is better than another.