Front Strut Mounts

[mholhut]

Just picked up a '94 ATX and the previous owner said the front strut mounts needed replacing. Loud banging from the front end when you go over bumps that sounds like the front of the car's going to fall off. I went over the replacement procedure on SHOTimes and it seems rather straight forward. I'm also going to check the other bushings in the front end while I'm at it, including the subframe bushings.

Anyways, I looked up the front strut mounts on FPN and I'[m having a difficult time deciphering the info. So, referring to the image below:

Mount bracket
17 - W/o police package

Is that the part I need to order?

Thanks

 

[sdpatt]

Part #17 in the drawing is the upper strut mount. You can get the strut mount and a replacement bearing from local auto parts stores. Just twist the two tabs outward with needle nose pliers to release the old bearing from the mounting plate.

Clunks over bumps may be the sway bar links. Check the boots over the ball joints at the top and bottom of the sway bar links for tears and loss of lubricant. The composite versions are listed below.

The clunking could also be due to subframe bushings. Only an inspection can determine the condition of the parts mentioned.

Strut mount and bearing, front: Moog K8630, O'Reilly $43.99
Sway bar link, composite: Perfect Circle SL239, AutoZone $19.99

 

[mholhut]

Thank you sir! You're a gentleman, a scholar, and a man of ill repute

 

[Mr Anonymous]

Mike, that car has aluminum SFB's and very recent endlinks, ball joints, and inner and outer tie rod ends. The tie rod ends and ball joints could probably use some grease, but wouldn't be a likely source of your noise.

When I drove the car I noticed the groaning on turning which is indicative of a strut mount/bearing problem, but I didn't notice any clunking. I agree with Scott that clunking can often be traced to a faulty endlink, but again they are less than a year old.

I'm wondering if one or both of the collars in the subframe where the strut rods are attached has come loose and that is the source of the noise. That chassis has been stiffened with the aluminum bushings, subframe connectors and 24mm front bar so it could be shaking other things loose.

 

[mholhut]

Thanks Chris. Haven't had a chance to climb underneath the car and shake things down, but Kirk said it was likely the strut mounts since the Tokicos and Eibachs that were on it were removed and he threw on some struts from a '93. I figured it'd be the likely place to start, but will check into this other stuff.