Diagnosing suspension component replacement?
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Super Member
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 876
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From: ST. Louis, MO
'16 SL550, '18 Porsche Macan GTS
Diagnosing suspension component replacement?
Recently started getting a knocking sounds from the passenger side front suspension and not sure how to determine it it's the tie rod, upper or lower control arm or something else. I've read a bunch of threads that cover how to replace the bad item but none of them talk about diagnosing which is in need of replacement.
I jacked up the car and can feel a little more play in the upper control arm on the passenger side compared to the driver side and everything else seems tight on both sides. How do you really tell which part needs to be replaced short of having a shop inspect it?
I need to do brakes so I figure it would be smart to tackle all of it at the same time. Thanks for any help!
I jacked up the car and can feel a little more play in the upper control arm on the passenger side compared to the driver side and everything else seems tight on both sides. How do you really tell which part needs to be replaced short of having a shop inspect it?
I need to do brakes so I figure it would be smart to tackle all of it at the same time. Thanks for any help!
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Joined: Dec 2006
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From: Toronto, Canada
2019 C300 Wagon; '75 Triumph TR6; previous: 2004 C230 6spd sold after 17 years of driving
Jack up the car and grab the wheel:
at 9 and 3 o'clock and try to move in and out - if there is play it is your outer tie rod
at 12 and 6 o'clock if there is play then it is your lower ball joints, of the 2 lower control arms
at all directions and minor play it could be your wheel bearings
Since the car is MacStrut up front there are no upper control arms but rather 2 lower control arms or cross strut and torque strut
It could also be the bushings at the end of the cross and torque strut
at 9 and 3 o'clock and try to move in and out - if there is play it is your outer tie rod
at 12 and 6 o'clock if there is play then it is your lower ball joints, of the 2 lower control arms
at all directions and minor play it could be your wheel bearings
Since the car is MacStrut up front there are no upper control arms but rather 2 lower control arms or cross strut and torque strut
It could also be the bushings at the end of the cross and torque strut
Last edited by Boom vang; Jul 8, 2011 at 08:35 PM.
