Suspension Noise After Tire Install

[lancerplayer]

I've noticed a noise coming from the front end of the suspension on my sister's 2010 Toyota Camry last time I drove it. Tires were installed at the local Toyota dealership by an employee that is a family friend. I saw everything that was done to the car which was nothing more than the following: lift the car, take wheels off, install new tires, put wheels back on, lower the car. Lowering the car was done properly and with care. No abuse there.

The noise is fairly consistent and almost like a knock/or a pop when going over most (but not all) bumps. It occurs when the car is driving straight as well as making a turn. When driving the car the noise can almost be "felt" with my left foot where it sits on the "dead pedal" area. No abnormal suspension noise from the rear.

I have a hard time believing the noise is related to the new tires that are installed. It must be because the car was lifted off the ground and then lowered.

Anyone have any ideas what this noise can be?

 

[KrisZ]

Was the lug nut torque checked on all four corners?

 

[lancerplayer]

Originally Posted By: KrisZ
Was the lug nut torque checked on all four corners?


No, they were only tightened using an air impact gun. They were not checked with a torque wrench.

 

[krismoriah72]

Stiffer tire or more inflation makes the worn struts more noticeable is a possibility. I would check lugs first though.

 

[AZjeff]

Upper strut bushing, bearing, mount, etc. Google it. Even Youtube vids with noise.

 

[The_Jeff]

You could have torn a bushing (lower control arm, sway bar) by having the tires hang all the way down, unnaturally.

 

[meep]

@lancerplayer

lugs should always be finished by hand. the tech has very little control over the actual torque from an impact gun. They could be over, under, not seated properly, stretched, or stripped. even overtightening with the impact and reducing with a torque wrench, done by many, can lead to stretched studs and galled threads.

Check torque on all lug nuts.

 

[mclasser]

I've heard it said that for suspension parts already on their way out, lifting the wheels off the ground and back down again is often the final nail in the coffin. Inspect everything in the front end for looseness. Engine mounts also make popping noises.

 

[DrRoughneck]

So tires were not balanced?

 

[fdcg27]

Hard to see how the tire replacement caused any noises to suddenly appear.
Could it be that the new tires are so much quieter than the old ones that you now hear a noise that was already there?
The sound you've described is either a bad bushing or a bad ball joint.
Neither would have been caused by a mere tire replacement.
If the tech just gunned the lugs on, then they're certainly too tight, but that wouldn't cause a noise either. The main disadvantage of over tightening the lug nuts is that removal could prove difficult or impossible in the event that a roadside tire change is required.
I'm surprised that a dealer shop wouldn't use a torque wrench.
Even Walmart TLEs do so.

 

[lancerplayer]

Originally Posted By: DrRoughneck
So tires were not balanced?


The new tires were balanced. Sorry, I should have mentioned that in the original post.