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Crunching sound in front suspension on hard bumps. Common problem?

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Old 12-23-2012, 02:12 PM
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Crunching sound in front suspension on hard bumps. Common problem?

I have a 2006 LT with the 2.4 twin cam and 5 speed manual. (not sure if that matters when it comes to the front suspension setup.) Recently the front right suspension has made a crunching noise on some hard bumps. I've looked at the springs, and nothing seems to be visibly wrong. Took the car out for a hard drive on some twisty roads, and the handling doesn't seem to be adversely affected, but I'm still a little worried.

Anyone heard of broken springs or things of that nature? Maybe something else?

Any input would be great.

Thanks guys.
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Old 12-23-2012, 02:17 PM
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Sway bar bushings. The noise will go away if it's warm and return when cold outside. Pretty common, and IMO not worth fixing as the replacement parts will get noisy quickly again in the cold. I live with it.
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Old 12-23-2012, 02:36 PM
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Originally Posted by pitbull76
Sway bar bushings. The noise will go away if it's warm and return when cold outside. Pretty common, and IMO not worth fixing as the replacement parts will get noisy quickly again in the cold. I live with it.
Aha! This is my first full winter with the car, so that's good to know. Thanks!
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Old 12-23-2012, 04:40 PM
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Originally Posted by pitbull76
Sway bar bushings. The noise will go away if it's warm and return when cold outside. Pretty common, and IMO not worth fixing as the replacement parts will get noisy quickly again in the cold. I live with it.
i totally agree....
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Old 12-24-2012, 12:37 PM
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Originally Posted by pitbull76
Sway bar bushings. The noise will go away if it's warm and return when cold outside. Pretty common, and IMO not worth fixing as the replacement parts will get noisy quickly again in the cold. I live with it.
Yep, mine does it too, but like others, only when cold. I agree, not worth fixing, it really causes no problem other than the noise, which I now consider an entertainment sound.
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Old 12-24-2012, 09:33 PM
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cold equals clunks and noises,just double check the bearing hubs and drive it
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Old 12-25-2012, 12:35 AM
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I had the same sound on my 2006 2LT 2 weeks ago and I have 186K+ on my vehicle and I found that my Lower control Arms needed to be replaced - Now it runs and sounds like the day I purchased it - Awesome - Good Luck - It was not cheap to have it fixed ;-(
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Old 12-31-2012, 11:11 AM
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Originally Posted by Z-Man
I had the same sound on my 2006 2LT 2 weeks ago and I have 186K+ on my vehicle and I found that my Lower control Arms needed to be replaced - Now it runs and sounds like the day I purchased it - Awesome - Good Luck - It was not cheap to have it fixed ;-(
Mine is the same year, but I only have 70,000 miles on it. The car is going in for tires soon, so I'm having it checked over anyway.
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Old 01-07-2013, 02:39 PM
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I have this noise in mine; it sounds as if the steering column or something inside the dash is loose and touching something else. Had it at a Chevy dealer; they checked EVERYTHING and never found it. Good dealer, though; his philosophy is if he doesn't fix something he doesn't charge the customer. I will check the lower control arm bushings and sway bar bushings; that makes sense.
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Old 01-08-2013, 05:25 PM
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Re: lower Control Arm Bushings - was just quoted $495 to replace both the rear bushings, plus $117 for a wheel alignment. Checked the prices in the USA for bushings ($8-$20 ea US, or $85 ea from Canadian dealer)!!!!! Complete lower control arm, with bushings and lower ball joint in the USA ~$120-$140 ea. - I would hate to even check what the LCA would cost here in Canada.

Z-Man - was a wheel alignment required when you replaced your lower control arms?
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