Clunk Noise & Upper Ball Joint

[outback_aussie]

G'Day forum,

So I've still got my suspension clunk, but a new one has appeared which is more of a 'click' when going over potholes or sharp bumps (and not much else). On inspection of the suspension, I noticed the upper ball joints were looking wet (grease) around the seals - could this be the cause of my noises? I've jacked it up to try move the wheel and there is no play. So I'm still confused

Cheers

[outback_aussie]

Here's a photo - looks the same on both sides, but only the drivers side makes any noise in this area

[Easykill1978]

not the source of all your noise, click maybe..

ball joints are on the way out tho...

so once replaced you will need to get a wheel alignment done.

[binda]

I was chasing a similar noise in mine recently. After replacing top and bottom ball joints and the front anti-sway bar rubber bushes, I was able to reduce the knocking noises down considerably.
That being said I still have a noise, this time I think its the knuckle joints on the sway bar. They don't have any play in them but they are losing grease out the seals.


Apart from that I'm running out of ideas.

BTW I bought my ball joints off ebay, $100'ish.

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/281086232...84.m1439.l2649

[dolphin]

have you tried spraying the inner control arm bushings with some silicon type spray ? also check the front struts. with regards to the Ball Joints, if you need to replace these you do not need to have a wheel alignment done as these guys have nothing to do with different adjustment settings like tie rod ends etc. just a FYI

[outback_aussie]

have you tried spraying the inner control arm bushings with some silicon type spray ? also check the front struts. with regards to the Ball Joints, if you need to replace these you do not need to have a wheel alignment done as these guys have nothing to do with different adjustment settings like tie rod ends etc. just a FYI

Just any silicone lubricant spray okay? I'll spray it around these one-by-one and see if it makes a difference (but it won't eat the rubbers/plastic will it??)

Cheers

[dolphin]

no this is why i mentioned this spray type as opposed to something like wd-40 which is too oily and softens rubber.

[outback_aussie]

no this is why i mentioned this spray type as opposed to something like wd-40 which is too oily and softens rubber.

So which type of silicone lubricant can I use?

I've got '3-in-1 Professional Spray Lubricant' in the workshop, I imagine this is good? That is what I was referring to. Coincidentally its made by the wd40 company

[outback_aussie]

Anyone want to shed some light on the subject?

[Easykill1978]

one specificly called Silicon Lubricant.

[hobbo]

Recheck All the Bolts in the suspension, Check you don't have a Noisy Valve in one of the Shockers (you may need to remove it from the car and take off the spring to bench test ) Inspect the Top and Bottom Bearing/Rubber on the shock also.

[outback_aussie]

Cheers guys, I think I'll start by replacing both the upper ball joints as the grease out the seals would suggest its them...

How much should this cost to get done?

I've been quoted 2.5 hours each side (total for both is about $600!)

[DaveE66]

I replaced the uppers on my ns. Took me around half to three quarters of an hour each side. Easy to do. I am not a mechanic. From memory they were not expensive to buy I got mine from Repco.
The lowers are harder to do as the hub needs to come off. 600 sounds a bit steep for the uppers only.


Regards Dave

[Aussie_Dan]

^^^^ Exactly what Dave said. Less than an hour per side for the upper ball joint with me doing the job on my garage floor.
I was desperate to get an upper ball joint one arvo and the only place that could get me one in a reasonable time was my local Pedders store. Cost was about $50 for one.
Cheers, Dan.

[Pauly Faulkner]

Could very well be your uppers, mine were making a similar noise then the clunk got progressively worse till I could hear it when I first touch the brakes as well. Eventually it started doing it bad and the wheel was able to move in and out slightly so I parked it up and awaiting the parts