New Struts Rattle 2013 Fiesta SE

[borgward]

Just replaced lower Arm w/Moog Arm w/new Ball Joint and bushings. Installed KYB sruts w/ bellows. Tie rod ends are good. Replaced sway bar links and bushings a year ago. No noise from them before I did this job. I did position the lower arm at what I thought would be its normal loaded position before torquing the 2 lower arm bolts.

The front end is now making an incredible amount of noise.

 

[Capt W]

You have to isolate the noise to identify and eliminate it. Best course of action is to put the front end on ramps (you need the vehicle's weight on the suspension) and crawl underneath with a good light. Have a helper start bouncing the front end in an orderly manner (e.g., from passenger to driver side) while you scrutinize everything that moves, to include fasteners and the strut mounts.

These front ends are not complex; whatever's making the racket should make itself quite obvious.

 

[zzyzzx]

This is why I prefer to install things like this one at a time and road test in between parts.

 

[GSCJR]

This is why I prefer to install things like this one at a time and road test in between parts.

+1

 

[IndyIan]

Check the big strut nuts, on top, one of mine was loose many years ago and it took me a while to figure it out. Hit them with an impact, or if you have 1/2" deep sockets, you can fit a 1/4" extension down through the deep socket(with some small flats ground onto it) and hold the top to keep the shaft from spinning.
Also just go over everything you put a wrench on, I have missed a nut to torque after assembly, and gotten a mystery clunk after new parts. For that matter, look for a tool left under the hood, I have a couple nice screw drivers that were the mystery rattle under the hood when I took my car to a garage! I haven't done that one myself yet, but someday I'm sure.

 

[dogememe]

This is why I prefer to install things like this one at a time and road test in between parts.

I get it, but in the real world is that practical?

 

[borgward]

There was a rubber spring cushion at the top and bottom of the spring. I reinstalled with them in place with the spring end placed where it originally used to be. I noticed on some YouTubes that people just placed the spring ends metal to metal. Which way should it be?

 

[TCL]

There was a rubber spring cushion at the top and bottom of the spring. I reinstalled with them in place with the spring end placed where it originally used to be. I noticed on some YouTubes that people just placed the spring ends metal to metal. Which way should it be?

With the rubber isolators installed.

 

[borgward]

Yes